Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Safety equipment and preparation
• Part 2 of 3: Handling horses from the ground
• Part 3 of 3: Horseback riding
• Tips
• Warnings

Handling and riding a horse can be one of life's greatest joys. That said, horses are strong, often scary animals that must be handled properly. Protect yourself and the horse from injury at all times by following the following safe practices while on the ground and in the saddle.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Safety equipment and preparation

1. Wear steel-toed boots. These will protect your feet if a horse steps on them. Choose a boot with a steel toe cap or a composite boot, rated to withstand the weight of your horse. When driving, the boots should have a small heel.
   • Depending on the size and breed, your horse's weight varies greatly, but generally it falls between 400 to 850 kg.
   • Steel toe boots are primarily designed for industries that involve much higher weights. Rumors that they do more harm than good are probably myths.
2. Wear a cap when you drive. Choose a cap that can be fastened under the chin and meets the new VG1 safety standards.
   • Some SEI approved caps have large ventilation holes that prevent them from passing other tests due to the higher risk of penetration injuries.
   • Replace the cap at least every five years, including when it has received a major blow or shows signs of wear.
3. Wear safe, visible clothing. Avoid baggy clothes, which can get tangled with the horse harness. Most importantly, make sure you are clearly visible before driving near roads. Fluorescent vests are recommended, especially in heavy rain, fog or dusk.
   • If you are a novice rider, learning to jump or compete, wear a body protector. The body protector should be comfortable, less than five years old and meet the EN 13158: 2009 class 3 standard.
   • Comfortable gloves and seamless underwear and riding breeches can prevent pain and discomfort.
4. Remove loose accessories. Anything that dangles or is removable can startle the horse or get stuck on its harness. Take the following precautions:
   • If you wear glasses, it is a big advantage if they have flexible legs. Contact lenses increase the chance that you will get dust and hair in your eyes. Ask your optician for advice.
   • Remove all jewelry. Even tight rings and bracelets can get caught.
   • Put loose hair in a ponytail or something similar.
   • Close the zipper of your jacket and tuck away loose threads or other dangling objects.
5. Check the harness regularly. Check that all harness is the correct size and shape for the horse. Check all tack for wear and tears. This also includes cracking and stretching of the leather and the quality of the stitching. Anything that nearly breaks or snaps is a security risk. Check before taking off, and then again after riding a short distance.
   • The girth should be tight enough to keep the horse from getting stuck in it, but not uncomfortably tight. Check again after takeoff, after a few minutes of riding, and every few hours after that on a long ride.
   • You should be able to hold the reins without letting them hang over the horse's neck or wrap them around your hand.
   • Keep all gear clean.
   • Make sure you have made your stirrups the right length. While riding, you should be able to rest your full weight on your heel.
6. Consider a neck ring. During a jump or sudden movement, a neck ring is easier to hold than the horse's mane. Especially if the mane is braided. Although neck rings are mainly used by novice riders, it doesn't hurt to use an extra piece of safety equipment. Today they are even used by some professional riders.
7. Keep a first aid kit for both humans and horses. Keep at least one of each in your stables, and an extra one in the trailer if you travel a lot with your horse. Include a sturdy piece of paper with contact information from a neighboring vet and hospital.
   • Make sure someone in the area is trained in human first aid and equine first aid.
8. Close gates and barn doors behind you. Make sure all gates are closed before releasing a horse in a pasture. Never let go of your horse near dangerous conditions such as roads or treacherous terrain.
9. Install door handles and latches that are horse-resistant. Many horses learn how to open simple latches and latches. Consider an eye bolt and / or a commercial "horse-safe" latch. For very bored or intelligent horses, you can add additional bolts and / or a wooden board to prevent the horse from reaching the handle.
   • If your horse is constantly trying to escape, she may need more company, exercise, or time outdoors.

Part 2 of 3: Handling horses from the ground

1. Learn with the help of an experienced person. Beginners should not be around horses without supervision. As you grow in confidence and skills you can lead a horse yourself, but it's still better if people are around to hear or see if something goes wrong.
2. Approach from the side. Horses have a blind spot in front of them and right behind them. Approach them from the side so that the horse knows you are coming.
   • Try to make the horse turn, even in a small stable. If the horse is restrained, approach him from an angle, not straight from behind.
   • Talk calmly to the horse as you approach it to get its attention.
3. Stay close to the horse and put one hand on its back. Your hands are your first means of communication with your horse. When you groom or saddle him, rest your hand on the shoulders or his hindquarters. This lets the horse know you are there, even if he doesn't see you. It also gives you the best chance of pushing yourself away should the horse want to kick. If possible, stand next to the horse with one hand on the horse while grooming or saddling the horse.
   • Watch for sudden increases in tension. This can lead to stairs or failure.
4. Secure a horse before grooming or performing other actions. Secure the rope at the height of the horse at the withers (the beginning of its neck), making it no longer than your arm. Use a safety button so that it can be easily pulled off. Never keep your finger on the knot while you are tying, as the horse can pull it.
   • It is best to secure your horse with a "panic lock", not directly to a wall ring. The panic lock is a piece of twine or rope that the horse can easily break with a strong tug. Without a panic lock, the horse can fall if it is startled, possibly injuring you or itself.
   • Never tie the horse to the reins.
5. Be careful when you move behind the horse. Moving behind a horse makes you vulnerable to a hard kick. If there is no room to walk outside of his pedaling range, walk next to your horse with one hand on his hindquarters and keep talking so the horse knows where you are. A kick has much less power at such a short distance.
6. Avoid diving right in front of your horse unless he has been trained to do so. Moving or standing directly in front of a horse is safer, but there are still risks. Never dive under a horse's belly (trunk), under its neck or under its lead rope. This is almost guaranteed to startle him because your movement is fast and low, and out of his field of vision. Both actions leave you unprotected from being kicked or trampled on. At the front it is also possible that he rears and hits you.
7. Lead the horse with a lead rope. Do not grab the halter itself, as you could be pulled off your feet if the horse is startled. Never wrap the rope around your hand or any other part of your body, and never drag it on the ground where your feet could get caught in it. If that happens, the horse can pull the rope taut and cause serious injuries.
   • Instead, fold the rope in half to reduce its length. Hold the rope in the center of the folds so you can release it easily.
   • Never wrap an extra lead rope around your hand - your hand can break or even be ripped off if the horse is startled and runs wild. Or you can be dragged behind the horse.
   • Don't get tempted into a tug of war with a horse. The horse is much stronger than you and can easily pull you over.
8. Feed treats from your flat palm. If the horse is very excited, put the food in a bucket. It may not be a good idea to hand-feed your horse regularly as it can encourage him to bite.
9. Be careful when handling the horse's legs. If you need to examine the horse's hoof or leg, show the horse what is happening and adapt to it. Place your hand on the horse's shoulder or hindquarters, then slowly move your hand toward the leg. Gently squeeze the fetlock to get the horse to lift his foot while saying “foot” to teach him this command.
   • Do not kneel or sit while holding the horse's leg or foot. Instead, squat so that you can easily jump away.
10. Be wary when you are around multiple horses. Pay attention to other horses in the area and not just the horse you are working on. Do not walk behind other horses or too close to their feet.
    • In particular, avoid bringing food in the middle of a group of horses. They will crowd around you and kick you in their excitement.
11. Transport a horse safely. Training a horse to walk into a trailer on its own for the first time can take weeks of patient communication. Even when working with an experienced horse, make sure to close the trailer door first and then secure the horse. This prevents a horse from trying to get away before you are done.

Part 3 of 3: Horseback riding

1. Ride with guidance if necessary. Novice riders should always ride with a more experienced rider, although they don't have to ride the same horse. Riding in company is also a good idea if you are going to practice jumps.
2. Lunge an energetic horse before riding. If a horse is acting wild or full of energy, ask an experienced rider to lunge the horse first.
3. Stay calm. Talk and behave calmly in front of horses. Horses work best with patient, calm people. Never yell at a horse, as the sound can startle it.
4. Always be on your guard. Constantly check your environment for possible sources of fear. This could include running children, an approaching car, or even a flapping plastic bag. If the horse's eyes widen and its ears stick up, it could be scared. If this happens, talk to the horse calmly and try to go somewhere where the horse can rest.
   • If your horse gets scared easily, you can desensitize him in a familiar environment.
5. Be careful when introducing unfamiliar horses. Horses are not always friendly when they first meet. Hitting each other with their noses can result in biting or lashing out.
6. Have the horse walk over difficult terrain. Let the horse determine where to put its feet when walking on slippery surfaces, including ice, snow, and mud. Keep the horse in walk when going up or down a hill, even if he wants to go faster.
   • Continuing to walk is also a good idea in the evening or in weather conditions with less visibility.
7. Stay away from other horses. When riding with other riders, ride side by side or stay far enough away to avoid kicking. When you look through your horse's ears, you should be able to see the horse's hind hooves in front of you. With that said, if you are riding in a group, don't let a horse fall so far behind that it has to gallop to get back to it.
   • In some areas, a red ribbon in a tail is a sign that that horse is kicking. Stay well away from these horses.
   • When riding in front of a group, shout back to warn the other riders of potential dangers. This may concern, for example, broken glass, poor substrate and branches at eye level.
8. Learn how to handle a runaway horse. Losing control over your horse can be a dangerous situation, especially if you don't know what to do. In most cases, the safest way to act is to stay on the horse and let it run until it calms down or becomes exhausted. Pulling on the horse's reins can obstruct his vision and cause him to lose a good grip.
   • If you practice with your horse beforehand, you can train it to step to one side, which will slow it down. Without this training, pulling one rein can disturb the horse's vision and balance, or cause it to turn without slowing down.
   • Do not jump off the horse unless it is going down a road, an abyss, or branches that are too low to safely pass underneath.
9. Take care of the horse safely after riding. Since both you and the horse are a bit more tired after a ride, it's helpful to follow a post-ride checklist to make sure everything happens. Try these:
   • Slow down to step before approaching the stable.
   • After dismounting, secure your horse with a safety knot.
   • Brush your horse and give it a wash.
   • Lead the horse back to the pasture or stable. Teach him early not to run, but to stand quietly next to you with his halter on.
   • Remove the halter. Pet your horse and reward him for his calm demeanor. He should be able to stand next to you until you turn to leave.

Tips

• When you compete, you have a series of additional safety risks to consider. Such as adapting to new stables and maintaining yourself in large, noisy crowds. Talk to experienced competition riders for advice.
• Learn how to secure a horse without access to wall rings. Sometimes it is necessary to know how to do this when you are on an outdoor ride and you have to stop somewhere. Do not tie your horse to anything he can move, such as hollow items, movable gates, or door handles.

Warnings

• Never agree to be locked in a stable with a horse.
• Be extra careful around rescued or previously abused horses. They can have a problem with humans and are often more dangerous than horses who have been treated well all their lives.