Equestrian safety

Equestrian Safety:

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All riders should be equipped with an ASTM/SEI approved helmet, which must be worn with the chin snap fastened. All lesson facilities should require helmets on their riders under the age of 18 and should be able to provide a helmet for a student that does not have his or her own. Though every rider under the age of 18 must ride with a helmet, it is greatly advised that all riders wear a helmet. Many riding falls occur in such a way that the rider’s skull makes contact with the ground.
File:Cheval40.jpg

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Riders also should have a boot with a heel. Preferably, a boot made for equestrian sports. Riding boots put your weight onto the heel where it should be when riding a horse. Tennis shoes, sandals and other footwear should not be permitted when around horses, whether mounted or otherwise.

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Long pants should be worn to prevent the saddle from rubbing your legs raw.

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Also, you should wear comfortable, washable clothes as they will inevitably become stained around horses.
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Beginner riders should always ride in an enclosed ring with supervision. The rider should ride a horse or pony that is suitable to his or her level of riding that he or she can handle and control safely.

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All riders should keep their horse or pony a safe distance from another horse or pony. This distance is one horse length. Riders or spectators should never walk directly behind a horse or pony. All people should be told about this rule.
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Reins should never drag on the ground. The danger here is that the horse may step on the reins and hit themselves in the mouth with the bit. The horse’s foot could also become caught up in the reins.

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Before riding, a safety check should be done. The instructor, or rider if an instructor is not present, should check the tightness of the girth. A loose girth can cause severe injury, as the saddle can slip at an unsuspected time, causing a traumatic fall. The billets of the saddle should be checked for any damage. Rotting leather can cause for an unexpected break in the billet, loosening the girth greatly or losing it altogether. Stirrup leathers should be checked for wear and tear. Especially for beginners, the loss of a stirrup can cause a loss of balance and a fall. For riders of higher abilities, the loss of a stirrup unexpectedly during a jumper course can be a catastrophe. Riders and instructors should make a habit of checking all tack.

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The rider or instructor should also check the placement and fit of the bridle. Inexperienced riders often put their bridles on incorrectly, creating discomfort for the animal. This may also lead to a horse that is acting up due to discomfort. The bridle should be checked so that it fit’s the animal. Four fingers should be able to be placed between the throatlatch of the bridle and the throatlatch of the animal.

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The quality of the jump should be considered before taking that jump. Homemade jumps from PVC pipe, cinder blocks, plastic lawn chairs, rusted barrels, or plastic bins should not be used as jumps. This is unsafe. Several of these pieces have the capability of shattering and severely damaging the legs of the animal. Some of these pieces do not have a proper give to insure that they will fall before they will puncture the rider of the animal that falls on it. Proper standards and jump cups should be used so that when a horse knocks a rail, that rail falls instead of wounding the horse. In addition, these jumps should be kept up so that the wood is not rotting or splintering. This will prevent the rail fro breaking when it hit’s the ground. A broken rail can puncture the rider or the horse. All rails should be weighted. A horse that knocks a weightless rail can become caught up in this rail as in flies forward instead of falling to the ground.
File:Large-Show-Jump.jpg

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Accidents do happen in the sport of jumping, so precautions should be taken with the materials that are being used during these incidents.

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You should always pay attention to your mount whether on the ground or while mounted. You should always observe how he is feeling so you are prepared for his actions. Remember that a horse or pony has a mind of his own.

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Most horse related accidents happen when people are not keeping safety practices in mind or are being careless. Just like in any other sport, horse back riding is as safe as you make it. Riders should start with a good foundation and move up according to level. Riders should not try tasks that are beyond his or her level. Riders should keep in mind to not become over mounted, which can become very dangerous. You will be safer if you do not ask your horse or pony to do tasks that you or your horse or pony is capable of. Safety should always come before competition.

References

Harris, Susan E. The United States Pony Club Manual of Horsemanship: Basics for Beginners D Level. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Publishing Inc, 1994.

Rider Safety Check. Dec 12, 2008 http://www.geocities.com/tiverton_pony_club/rrs_08.jpg

ASTM/SEI helmet Dec 12, 2008 http://www.thetackshed.co.nz/Cheval40.jpg

Safe jump. Dec 12, 2008 http://www.jumpsrus.co.nz/uploads/70484/images/96505/100_0508.JPG

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