Do you enjoy horse riding? Or would you like to learn? If so, keep in mind a few safety tips as you ride.
If You're New to Riding, Get an Instructor It's not a good idea to try to wing it on your own. At least for the first several rides, rely on the expertise of a good instructor to guide you through the care and safety considerations for a horse in youy riding lessons.
Begin With the Horse The first item is choosing a horse. This is one of the many places a qualified instructor helps immensely. The instructor will know how to help you find a horse that will be the appropriate for your age and skill level.
Riding a horse that is too independent or advanced for the rider can be a frightening experience, as well as one that is dangerous. Choose a horse that complements your skill level, and you'll enjoy learning as much as the horse will enjoy the walk (or run) which you embark on together.
Proper Clothing The proper clothing can make your riding more pleasant as well as increasing safety for you and the horse. Clothing may not seem to be a safety issue, but it can be very important.
You should always wear a helmet. You'll need to prepare for the unexpected, so in the event that you are thrown from the horse, the horse trips and knocks you to the ground, or in your ignorance, you slide off of the saddle --- a helmet prevents or lessens head damage if any of these accidents took place.
Use boots with a 1 inch heel or safety stirrups on the saddle. Without one or the other or both of these things, you may be dragged for some distance if your foot slips through the stirrup and gets stuck
Use Control and Planning Only ride the horse as quickly as you are able to control it. The faster the horse moves, the more difficult it is to control it, so exercise caution in choosing a speed for your ride. Additionally, you'll want to let others know where you plan to ride, what path you plan to take to get there, and how long you anticipate it taking you to complete.
You should have at least one member of the party with a cellular phone and possibly a GPS system. That way if you do become lost, you will have a way to contact help and let them know where you are. Plan ahead so that you are always riding with a buddy. The whole group, whether that includes only two or many more people, should remain at the speed of the slowest rider.
Safety on Trails Be sure the trail is clear as far as you can see before you begin to canter, lope or gallop. Be ready to slow your pace at a moment's notice.
You should walk at corners and bends, and keep all horses in single file line when passing other trail users.
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