Controlling and riding a horse can be one of the most enjoyable activities in life. However, horses are strong and agile animals that must be handled properly. Protect yourself and your horse from possible injury either standing on the ground or sitting in the saddle.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Security Equipment and Settings
Step 1. Wear boots with a hard surface
This is to protect your feet if the horse steps on them. Choose composite boots with a metal surface that can withstand the weight of your horse. If you are riding a horse, the boots should have a small heel.
- Horse weights vary by size and breed, but generally range from 400 to 850 kilograms.
- Boots with metal surfaces are generally designed for industrial use involving heavier loads. Rumors that wearing these boots are risky are most likely a myth.
Step 2. Wear a protective headgear when riding a horse
Choose a protective headgear that is easy to control and meets safety requirements that is not more than ten years old. Make sure the helmet has a SEI (Safety Equipment Institute), ASTM (American Society for Testing & Materials) or Kitemark label.
- Some protective hats labeled SEI have large ventilation holes that may not pass other tests because of the increased risk of injury.
- Replace your protective headgear every five years and whenever the helmet has been hit hard or is worn out.
Step 3. Wear clothes that are safe and easy to see
Avoid loose-fitting clothing as they can get caught in the riding gear. The most important thing is to make sure in advance that your clothes can be easily seen when riding. A fluorescent vest is recommended, especially in heavy rain, fog or dark conditions.
- If you are a beginner equestrian, are learning to jump, or are about to enter a race, wear body armor. Body armor must be comfortable and fit to wear, be less than five years old, and have been tested by a safety standards organization.
- Comfortable gloves, stitched underwear, and footgear can prevent stinging and discomfort.
Step 4. Remove loose accessories
Anything that hangs or can be released can catch the horse's gear. Follow these precautions:
- If you wear glasses, they should have flexible frames. Contact lenses increase the chances of getting dust and hair in your eyes. Ask your optician for advice.
- Remove all jewelry. Even rings and bracelets can cause injury.
- Tie your long hair.
- Button up the jacket and fold in any strands or objects that are dangling.
Step 5. Check your riding gear regularly
Check that your riding gear is the right size and shape for the horse. Make sure that nothing is worn or torn, including cracks or stretch in the leather material and the quality of the stitches. Anything that is prone to damage or tearing is a safety risk. Check before you ride the horse and again after riding for a while in close quarters.
- The saddle strap should be tight enough to prevent the horse from slipping, but not so tight that it becomes uncomfortable. Check back after riding and a few minutes after starting and also every few hours when riding long distances.
- You should be able to hold the bridle without brushing the horse's neck, or you should be able to wrap the leash around your hand.
- Keep your riding equipment clean.
- Make sure that your stirrups are the right length. When riding a horse, you should be able to focus your weight on the heel of your foot.
Step 6. Consider using a neck harness
When jumping or moving suddenly, the neck harness is easier to grip than the horse's mane, especially if the horse's mane is braided. Although neck harnesses are often used by novice riders, it doesn't hurt to use extra safety gear. Today, even professional riders use neck harnesses.
Step 7. Bring first aid kits for humans and horses
Bring at least one in each of your stables and an extra one in your trailer if your horse is traveling a lot. Also bring a sturdy piece of paper with contact information for the nearest vet, human hospital, and (if possible) an ambulance for horses.
Make sure that there is someone in the riding area who is trained in basic first aid for humans and first aid for horses
Step 8. Close the gate and cage door behind you
Check that all the gates are closed before you release the horse into the field. Never allow your horse to roam in dangerous areas, such as highways or weak ground.
Step 9. Install a doorstop that can withstand the force of the horse
Many horses learn how to open ordinary latch and swivel bolts. Consider installing a bolt eye and/or commercial horse-resistant doorstop. For easily bored or intelligent horses, add an extra doorstop and/or a wooden shelf to block the horse's access to the latch.
If your horse is constantly trying to escape, he may need companionship, practice, or more time, especially outdoors
Part 2 of 3: Controlling Horses from the Ground
Step 1. Learning from experience is helpful
Beginners should not be around horses without close supervision. Once you have enough confidence and skill, you'll be able to control the horse on your own, but you should still have someone else in close proximity just in case something bad happens.
Step 2. Approach the horse from the side
Horses have the disadvantage of seeing directly from the front and back. Approaching the horse from the side tells the horse that you are approaching.
- Even in a small stable, make the horse's position rotate. If the horse is tied up, approach from an angle, not from behind.
- Talk to the horse when you approach it to get its attention.
Step 3. Stand near the horse and place one hand on its body
Your hands are the main means of communication with your horse. When grooming or installing equipment, place one hand on the horse's shoulder or knee. This will let your horse know that you are there even if he can't see you. This also gives you the best chance of getting away if the horse tries to kick. When you are finished tending or installing equipment, stand by the horse with one hand on its body whenever possible.
Watch for a sudden increase in tension. This could be a sign that the horse is about to kick or lunge
Step 4. Tie up the horse before grooming or handling
Tie the rope at eye level and keep the length of the rope not exceeding your arm. Use a simple bowknot so that the knot is easy to untie. Never put your fingers in the knot of the rope when tying, as the horse may pull the rope closed.
- Ideally, you should tie the horse using a panic snap, not a direct loop. A panic snap is a strand of thread or rope that a horse can easily break with a single pull. Without a panic snap, the horse may fall if it is startled, potentially injuring itself or even you.
- Never tie a horse to its reins.
Step 5. Be careful when moving behind the horse
Moving behind a horse makes you vulnerable to very strong kicks. If there is no room to walk beyond the horse's kicking range, walk right next to the horse with one hand on the stump. At this close range, the horse's kick had less power.
Step 6. Avoid cowering in front of the horse
Moving or standing in front of the horse is safer, but there are risks involved. Never snuggle under the belly, neck, or harness of a horse's leash. This will almost certainly scare the horse because of your fast, low, and out of sight movements. These actions leave you vulnerable to being kicked and stepped on. From the front, horses can also pick up and kick you down.
Step 7. Guide the horse using the rope
Don't grip the reins or you could drag your legs if you startled the horse. Never wrap the rope around your hands or other parts of your body or the horse will drag you across the ground where your feet may slip. If this happens, the horse may pull the rope tight and cause serious injury.
- Fold the rope over the horse to reduce the length. Grip the rope in the middle of the fold, so you can lower it easily.
- Never roll excess leash in your hands––you could break or even break your arm if the horse is startled and tries to run, or you may be dragged behind the horse.
- Don't attempt a tug-of-war with horses. Horses are much stronger and can easily tip you over.
Step 8. Feed the horse from the flat palm of your hand
If the horse is very excited, put the food in the bucket. It's not a good idea to regularly feed your horse from your hand, as this can encourage bites.
Step 9. Control the horse's legs carefully
If you want to check your horse's shoes or paws, let the horse see what you're doing and adjust for yourself. Place your hands on your shoulders or knees and slowly move them toward your feet. Grasp the bottom of the leg gently to make the horse lift its leg while saying “raise” at the same time to teach it this command.
When holding a horse's leg or thigh, do not kneel or sit. Squat down so you can jump easily if something happens
Step 10. Be careful around horses
Pay attention to other horses nearby, not just the horse you are controlling. Do not walk behind other horses or stand too close to their feet.
Avoid bringing food into the midst of a herd of horses. The horses may swarm and trap you in their crowd
Step 11. Transport the horse safely
Training a horse to enter the trailer for the first time may require weeks of patient communication, convincing the horse to enter the carriage on its own. Even when handling experienced horses, make sure you tie or untie the horse with the carriage door closed. This can prevent the horse from trying to move before you're done.
Part 3 of 3: Horseback Riding
Step 1. Ride the horse under supervision when needed
Beginner riders should always ride with other more experienced riders, but not necessarily on the same horse. Riding horses together is a good idea if you're practicing jumping.
Step 2. Take control of the energetic horse before it is ridden
If a horse is acting wild or full of energy, ask an experienced rider to control it first.
Step 3. Stay calm
Speaks and acts calmly when around horses. Horses work very well with people who are patient and calm. Never shout near the horse, because he will be surprised by the noise.
Step 4. Be on standby all the time
Examine your surroundings for possible sources of constant fear. This includes running children, approaching cars, or even plastic bags being blown away by the wind. If the horse's eyes widen and its ears stand up straight, it means the horse is scared. If this happens, talk calmly to the horse and try to move to another location that can calm him down.
Calm your horse in a familiar location if he gets scared easily
Step 5. Be careful when introducing horses you don't know each other
Horses are not necessarily friendly when they meet other horses for the first time. Touching their noses together can make them bite or attack.
Step 6. Let the horse go through a difficult track
Let the horse determine the speed of movement when walking on slippery locations, including ice, snow, and mud. When riding or descending steep surfaces, keep the horse at a walking pace, even if he wants to go faster.
Staying at a walking speed is a good idea at night or through weather with limited visibility
Step 7. Avoid other horses
When you're near another rider, you can ride too or walk away to avoid being kicked. When you look between your horse's ears, you should be able to see the rear hoof of the horse in front of you. When riding in a group, don't allow one horse to lag so far behind that it has to chase far to get back in the group.
- The red ribbon on the tail is a sign for horses that like to kick in some areas. Keep your distance from horses like this.
- If you're in the front row when riding in a group, yell at the other riders behind you when danger comes your way. These include broken glass, poor footing, and branches that are too low.
Step 8. Learn how to handle runaway horses
Losing control of your horse can be a dangerous situation, especially if you don't know what to do. In most cases, the safest course of action is to stay on the horse and let it run until it exhausts itself. Pulling on the reins can limit the horse's vision and cause him to lose his footing.
- If you've trained with the horse before, you can train it to move to one side, slowing it down. Without practice, pulling the reins will only limit the horse's vision and balance, or make it reverse direction without slowing down.
- Don't jump off the horse unless it's headed for a highway, ravine, or branch that's too low for you to dodge.
Step 9. Take control of your horse safely after riding
Since both you and your horse are tired after riding, it's a good idea to prepare a checklist after the ride to make sure you don't miss anything. Try this way:
- Slow down your walking speed before reaching the cage.
- Once off the horse, tie the horse with a simple bowknot.
- Bathe and care for the horse after it has been ridden.
- Lead the horse back to the stable or grass. Teach him from the start not to rush and to stand quietly by your side with restraints at hand.
- Remove the restraints. Pat him on the shoulder and praise him for his calm demeanor. The horse should also be able to stay standing next to you until you turn away.
Suggestion
- When you're showing off your horse, you'll need to consider many aspects of safety, including adjusting the stables and being in the middle of a clamoring crowd. Ask someone with experience in horse shows for advice.
- Learn how to safely tie a horse when you don't have a leash to tie. Sometimes you'll need it when you're on a horse and stop somewhere. Do not tie your horse to movable objects, such as hollow objects, fence boards, or door handles.
Warning
- Use caution when near newly rescued horses or horses that have been mistreated. They may dislike humans and are often more dangerous than a horse that has been well cared for all its life.
- Never allow yourself to be cooped up in a stable with a horse.
