| Horseback riding is a high risk sport. Besides the | | | | a hat fitting course and can advise you. Although a |
| obvious danger of falling off, horses are large animals | | | | helmet will not always prevent serious injury or death, it |
| weighing in excess of 1,000 pounds and should always | | | | will certainly put the odds in the rider's favor. |
| be treated with respect and handled with safety | | | | If the helmet ever suffers a severe impact it is very |
| precautions in mind. If you are smart around horses | | | | important that it be replaced. Some manufacturers will |
| and observe safety precautions, it's no more | | | | replace them free of charge or for a lower price if |
| dangerous than any other high-risk activity. | | | | one of their helmets has been impacted in an equine |
| Keep Visitors and Children Safe | | | | mishap. Prices start at around $35 and go up from |
| When visitors and especially children are around | | | | there. This is a small price to pay to keep your brain |
| horses, they often don't have any idea about the | | | | safe. |
| nature of horses or how to remain safe. It's the | | | | Over time the protective padding in a helmet |
| owner's obligation to educate them on safety | | | | compresses with use, and the helmet will become |
| precautions around horses. | | | | looser. If this happens, the helmet should be replaced |
| Because equines are prey animals, and large ones at | | | | as soon as possible, as it won't protect the head as |
| that, they are naturally extremely aware of their | | | | well as it should in an accident. It's often a legal |
| surrounds at all times. They will, as a matter of instinct, | | | | requirement that children must wear a riding helmet |
| protect themselves when things happen that surprise | | | | that conforms to standards when riding a horse. |
| them or that they don't understand. One big mistake | | | | Riding Boots |
| people who are unfamiliar with horses make is to | | | | It's extremely important to wear proper footwear |
| stand behind the horse, usually about 6 feet behind, as | | | | when riding or working around horses. The fact is a |
| a matter of fact. This is the perfect distance for | | | | rider can sustain serious injuries or even death when |
| getting nailed right in the head by a flying hoof. Explain | | | | falling from a horse if a foot gets stuck in the stirrup. |
| to them that if they are going to stand or walk behind | | | | Riding boots or shoes are essential...they are designed |
| a horse it should be directly behind it, with a hand on its | | | | so that the heel will stop the foot from sliding through |
| rump so the horse knows they are there. | | | | the stirrup. |
| Horse are like any other beings - they have different | | | | There are a number of different types of riding boots |
| personalities and temperaments. Some will bite, others | | | | and shoes available. Riders can choose from short |
| wouldn't dream of it. Did you know a finger has about | | | | boots (jodhpur boots), full length boots, lightweight riding |
| the same crunchiness ratio as a carrot? It's way too | | | | shoes, and cowboy boots. Often it's most comfortable |
| easy to get a finger in the way when offering a carrot | | | | to wear a short pair of boots or riding shoes along |
| if a person doesn't know what they're doing. If your | | | | with half chaps, which prevent stirrup leathers from |
| visitors want to offer treats, teach them how to hold it | | | | rubbing and bruising the rider's legs. Riders should never |
| before offering it to the horse. | | | | ride a horse in trainers or running shoes - with no heel |
| Remind parents that riding stables are not playgrounds, | | | | they can slip right through the stirrups. They are no |
| and children should not be allowed to run around | | | | protection when a the horse steps on a human foot, |
| startling the horses, which may then rear, bolt, or kick. | | | | either. Ouch! |
| A few friendly words of explanation about proper | | | | Buy Quality Tack |
| behavior around horses will go a long way in avoiding | | | | Buying quality tack from the outset will means you will |
| trouble. | | | | get good leather that will stand the test of time. Cheap |
| Riding Helmets | | | | tack means poor product quality and an increased |
| Although Western riders in particular fight wearing | | | | chance of failure. No one wants to fall from a horse or |
| them, it's only sensible to wear a helmet when riding. | | | | have an accident because of poor quality equipment. It |
| We are only given one brain, and when that one has | | | | should be checked and cleaned on a regular basis so |
| been injured it can be a long road to recovery, if | | | | problems can be spotted immediately. Leather tack |
| recovery is even possible. To truly abide by the safety | | | | needs to be kept supple and strong with regular |
| rules, they should be worn at all times when around | | | | cleaning and conditioning. The stitching should be check |
| horses. | | | | to make sure there are no weak points. |
| Helmets come in a variety of designs and styles, for | | | | Adhering to safety standards, buying good quality tack |
| both English and Western riders. It's important to find | | | | and equipment, and keeping your wits about you at all |
| one that fits correctly and is comfortable. Ask for help | | | | times will go a long way towards ensuring that the |
| at the tack shop, as they will hopefully have attended | | | | time you spend around horses will be enjoyable. |