Friday, October 17, 2008

Horseback Riding Pointers for Safety

By Haylee Landford

Prevention of horseback riding injuries can benefit the preservation of life by following safety details. For many horse enthusiasts, riding a horse in the woods or on mountain ridges in Colorado, is an great way to enjoy a day. Riding can be conducted at any pace, from slow and languid while experiencing the great outdoors to hard driven riding strong enough to burn those calories along the way. Whichever conditions you prefer, horseback riding safety details can aid in making your ride a pleasurable experience and most of all a safe one.

Here are some of the tips to help assure that a day used to horseback ride goes well with not snags.

Choose a horse to ride that matches your riding skills. Be sure that the horse you choose is safe to ride in areas such as on the road where traffic could be an issue.

An ASTM approved helmet that's securely fastened and worn at all times while on a horse is highly recommended by owners and trainers.

For steady motion and equilibrium shoes or boots with a 1 in heel work best.

The saddle of a new or inexperienced rider should be furnished with break-away stirrups which is a safety feature which will help prevent falls and therefore keep them from being drug if the horse does not stop.

It is a good plan to not ride alone, to carry along with you a cell phone or 2-way radio in case you need decisive action.

Apprise someone of your plan for the ride as to where it will take place who is going and when you are thinking of returning. This way if you do not arrive back on time someone will know where to start looking for you on your Colorado land.

It is a splendid plan to go the speed of your slowest rider or the one who is the least masterful because the faster you are going the less reaction time there is to correct a loss of balance, near fall or conditions you didn't expect.

Extra caution needs to be taken during hunting season. The anxious hunter may react too quickly before actually getting a good visual on what is in his target.

When riding at night on your Colorado land, reflective clothing should be worn and you should carry flashlights and be sure to continue only on well marked trails.

You may want to consider packing a safety kit containing sunscreen, water, snacks, a pocket knife and a halter just in case you would need to tie up.

Clothing that allows physical ease is a must and it should keep you safe by not be flowing out away from you as this could catch on something and pull you right down off the horse. Also be sure to get down off your horse every now and then and let your horse rest periodically.

In spite of the fact that there are probably many more tip that people could conjure up, even just these tips I have set out for you can assuredly help preserve your safety while enjoying your passions of horsemanship on your Colorado land. - 15266

About the Author: