Post by Kate on Jun 24, 2009 23:10:25 GMT -5
Originally written for the equine science class I helped with. This may be reproduced and distributed.
Handling and Safety on the Ground
- Dress appropriately; jeans are the best due to the length and durability. Long-sleeve shirts are the best for trail riding, but they can be uncomfortable in the heat. Boots are the best because they’re solid, will withstand pressure, and have a heel so they won’t slide through the stirrup. Boots should have a smooth or very light tread, something that won’t stick through the stirrup. Tennis shoes are not appropriate to ride in.
- Helmets are always a good idea, even for ground work. Concussions and brain injuries are NOT fun.
- Pay close attention to the horse’s feet and where they’re at. Remember that a horse can’t always see where its feet are at on the ground. It’s your responsibility to keep your own feet clear.
- Whips, whether lunge whips or dressage whips, are NEVER to be used for punishment. A whip, properly used, is an extension of your arm.
- Keep alert to your surroundings. If something were to frighten or excite a horse you’re working with, you are liable to get hurt. Remember, staying alert means you don’t get hurt!
- Make sure the horse knows where you’re at all the time. Talk to him as you work and let him keep track of you. When you walk around behind a horse, either walk right next to it and lay a hand on the hindquarters to let it know you’re there, or walk over a horse length away from it.
- Pay attention to the ears, especially if you’re touching potentially ticklish or sensitive spots.
- When handling ropes, reins, etc., make sure that you NEVER wrap it around your hand. This is opening yourself up to be injured, and if you’re lucky, it’s only going to be a serious rope burn.
- Always let someone know where you’re going to be at. Horses don’t mean to hurt us, but accidents happen.
Handling and Safety in the Saddle
- When riding behind other horses, always keep one horse length between your horse and the other horse. You should be able to see the hind hooves of the horse in front of you between your horse’s ears.
- If you encounter traffic (vehicle, bicycles, ATVs, etc.), move your horse to the side, stop, and wait for it to pass.
- It’s your responsibility to keep your horse behaving and away from potentially dangerous situations when you’re riding.
- You need to know what horses get along well and which ones dislike each other.
- Try to view things from your horse’s perspective. Stay alert at all times!
- It’s generally better to stay on the horse if possible. The exception is if the horse is going through a wooded area with low branches.
Handling and Safety on the Ground
- Dress appropriately; jeans are the best due to the length and durability. Long-sleeve shirts are the best for trail riding, but they can be uncomfortable in the heat. Boots are the best because they’re solid, will withstand pressure, and have a heel so they won’t slide through the stirrup. Boots should have a smooth or very light tread, something that won’t stick through the stirrup. Tennis shoes are not appropriate to ride in.
- Helmets are always a good idea, even for ground work. Concussions and brain injuries are NOT fun.
- Pay close attention to the horse’s feet and where they’re at. Remember that a horse can’t always see where its feet are at on the ground. It’s your responsibility to keep your own feet clear.
- Whips, whether lunge whips or dressage whips, are NEVER to be used for punishment. A whip, properly used, is an extension of your arm.
- Keep alert to your surroundings. If something were to frighten or excite a horse you’re working with, you are liable to get hurt. Remember, staying alert means you don’t get hurt!
- Make sure the horse knows where you’re at all the time. Talk to him as you work and let him keep track of you. When you walk around behind a horse, either walk right next to it and lay a hand on the hindquarters to let it know you’re there, or walk over a horse length away from it.
- Pay attention to the ears, especially if you’re touching potentially ticklish or sensitive spots.
- When handling ropes, reins, etc., make sure that you NEVER wrap it around your hand. This is opening yourself up to be injured, and if you’re lucky, it’s only going to be a serious rope burn.
- Always let someone know where you’re going to be at. Horses don’t mean to hurt us, but accidents happen.
Handling and Safety in the Saddle
- When riding behind other horses, always keep one horse length between your horse and the other horse. You should be able to see the hind hooves of the horse in front of you between your horse’s ears.
- If you encounter traffic (vehicle, bicycles, ATVs, etc.), move your horse to the side, stop, and wait for it to pass.
- It’s your responsibility to keep your horse behaving and away from potentially dangerous situations when you’re riding.
- You need to know what horses get along well and which ones dislike each other.
- Try to view things from your horse’s perspective. Stay alert at all times!
- It’s generally better to stay on the horse if possible. The exception is if the horse is going through a wooded area with low branches.
