101 EASY Ways to Keep You and Your Horse Safe and Ready to Ride another Day

Around and About

Be mindful of sudden movements or loud noises

Pay attention to what’s going on around you and your horse

Stay calm, focused and alert

In The Barn

Hang up and put away all equipment (pitch forks, shovels, wheel barrow, etc.)

In cross ties, tie with a breakable string in case of panic

Do not leave horse unattended in cross ties

Make sure stall doors are at least four feet wide

Make sure stall doors swing out or slide

Make sure aisles and stalls are not slippery when wet

Do not ride inside the barn or any inside, non-arena, structure

Make sure lighting is suitable for barn use and at proper heights

Keep a fire extinguisher in the barn

Keep flammables out of the barn including hay and bedding if possible

Have an electrician to an audit of your barn; replace dangerous receptacles, chewed wires, etc

Keep emergency numbers where all can see them

Clearly display all rules for your barn in plain language

Lighting should have a protective cage to prevent rearing horses from being cut

Barn aisles with concrete floors can be slick if wet. Textured concrete is better.

Rubber mats on barn aisles can prevent slips and falls

Open stall doors wide before leading a horse through; install sliding doors if possible

When blanketing, fasten chest straps first, then girth straps, then hind straps to avoid blanket slipping and becoming tangled in hind legs. When removing, reverse order.

Keep feeds secure where Houdini horses can’t get to them.

Build stalls with reinforced solid sides so a horse can’t kick through a board

Check for splinters, nails, anything protruding

In Cross Ties

Be aware of the environment (loud noised, flashes, sudden movement)

Have an escape mechanism for your horse (quick release ties, breakaway halter)

Always crouch; never sit on the floor beside your horse

Stand near the shoulders or next to the hindquarters

Avoid ducking under the ties, the horse to pull back, making you vulnerable to injury

Trailering

Check you trailer out first (hooked up correctly, tires properly inflated)

Always check electric brakes on trailer

Teach your horse to load by himself, never fight a reluctant horse, get professional help.

Never drive with your horse’s heads hanging out the window

Trailer with horses properly prepared for the ride – helmet, shipping boots, halter fleece

Never unload your horse until you have untied his head

Tie hay bags high enough to let horse get tangled

Always chock your tires when unhitched

If windows are down, put fly masks on to prevent eye injuries from flying debris

Once a year, give your trailer a thorough inspection, inside, outside, and underside.

Be prepared for emergencies with good spare tire and tools to change, Trailer Aid for tire change

Keep a well stocked first aid kit in your trailer for emergencies.

If at all possible, try to take care of emergencies without unloading horses on the roadway.

If horses are tied to the trailer, make sure tie has a breakable string.

Riding Apparel

Always wear a SEI/ASTM helmet when mounted

Always wear a protective vest in high risk mounted activities

Do not ride with dangling jewelry, tongue studs

Do not wear clothes with dangling cords that can get caught on something & pull you off

Wear clothes that can be easily seen if riding after dark

Wear sturdy shoes around the barn. When riding, wear shoes with hard toes and a heel.

Replace any helmet after a major fall or impact

Have children’s helmets fit yearly, use knowledgeable people well trained to fit.

Use appropriate stirrup size for your shoe size

Riding on the Trail or in the Open

Always ride to the skill of the weakest rider

On the roads, ride with traffic (NC law)

Cross together with a group; try not to leave one horse behind

Be aware of the footing on roadsides and on trails

Make others aware of holes and other terrain dangers

Check your tack carefully before mounting, make sure in good condition

Carry a cell phone when going out riding, esp on remote trails

For long rides, carry an easy boot, rope halter, sm. First aid kid

If riding alone, let someone know where you will be riding, and when you will return

Do not ride in hunting areas during hunting season. Check out hunting areas first.

When crossing streams, make sure you know the footing before proceeding across

Be aware that certain times of day and seasons will have more deer activity

Riding in tall grass has risks of surprising resting wildlife (deer, rabbits, turkeys, etc.)

When riding or passing another rider, always call out “riding through” in a clear, audible voice

When crossing a road in a group, try not to leave one horse behind-he may run across.

Let drivers know with hand gestures when to slow down or proceed.

Tying

Tie “eye high and no longer than your arm and only to a safe, solid object.

Tie a horse only with halter/lead, never by bridle reins

Learn to tie a quick release knot or use a breakaway string

In the Jumping Ring

Make sure all jumps are in good condition, no splits or splinters

Make sure jumps are at correct heights for you and your horse’s skill

Only jump in the direction indicated

Make sure that arena footing is appropriate for your activity.

  

In the Warm Up Arena

Be aware at all times of other horses around you

Pass left hand to left hand

Dismount and exit the arena if others are dangerous or out of control

In the Pasture

When walking out in the pasture, be aware of herd dynamics

Make sure electric fences are regularly checked and in good repair

Check you pasture for toxic plants

Check your pasture for fallen trees, holes, broken fences

Use appropriate fencing for horses. Do not use barbed wire, hog wire.

Gates should be a minimum of four feet wide.

Use latches that are horse proof, but also easy to open and close.

Fence boards and posts should be checked for protruding splinters, nails, etc.

Horses will quickly become competitive or aggressive for treats or grains taken into a pasture

Never catch your horse by cornering him in the pasture.

Approach from the side to avoid his blind spots.

To turn loose, turn his head back toward the gate, step through to avoid kicks when released

Approach a horse at an angle

At the Show Grounds

Make sure your horse is acclimated to a lot of horses, activity, noises & over stimulation

Be aware of vehicles, scooters, golf carts, other horses and unmounted spectators

Be courteous of other riders

Always have your emergency contact info on your stall door

Check show stall thoroughly for any nails, splinters, and screws let by others.

Especially for Children

Until skills are well established, children should ride only under supervision.

Get qualified instruction for children.

Teach children early good horse management and insist your rules be always followed.

And Finally….

Don’t let horses “touch noses” it can result in squealing and striking.

Use a solid, stable, wide base mounting block, not a dime store plastic step stool-easy to tip over

Teach your horse good ground manners