This is just a quick run down of things to be aware of when riding horses.
What to Wear and/or Bring For Your Trail Ride…
– Shoes: Please wear closed toed shoes with as smooth a sole as possible
– No flip-flops, hiking boots or bare feet. Obviously, riding boots are best but tennis shoes with a smooth sole could work. Smooth sole shoes with a heel are best. But at the least, closed-toe shoes are required.
– Please do Not wear hiking boots. Their sole is very rough and may get your foot stuck in the stirrup.
– Pants: Long pants are best. Then shorts that come down to your knees. This is so your legs won’t rub on the saddle and get sore.
– Rain: Trails may go rain or shine. Be prepared with ponchos and raincoats. Bring an extra T-Shirt and towel if it looks like rain.
– A First Aid kit that should include not only supplies for human injuries but also for horses (hoof pick, at least) and tack repairs (take a variety of sizes of zip lock ties for emergency tack repairs).
– Walkie-Talkie radioes as a safety precaution. Make sure they’re charged and can communicate with each other (same channel, long enough range of signal, etc) before leaving on your designated trail. Cell phones may suffice if you are sure you have signal on your trail and you have a zippered pocket to keep it in.
– Be sure to leave one of the radioes with someone at the barn as well as information regarding the trail or route you are taking.
– Never ride alone, always go with a buddy
– Always wear a properly fitted horse riding helmet
Things that may get lost on the trail…
– Sunglasses that aren’t being worn
– Cameras that aren’t on a tether around your neck
– Cell phones not in a zippered pocket
– Wallets not in a zippered pocket
– Keys not in a zippered pocket
Please leave these things in your car or at the Stables. Rarely can you find them afterward.
RECOMMENDED AGE TO RIDE ON The TRAIL
Six year old children generally have a successful experience riding on the trails, especially when their horse is on a lead line tethered behind an experienced rider (like a dog on a leash). Sometimes there’s a precocious five year old who may be able ride.
What to look for in a young child to enable the child to join you on the trail on his own horse…
– Does the child have good balance on the horse?
– Does he understand he needs to remain on the horse for the entire trail?
– Does he still take naps? He may fall asleep due to the rocking motion of the horse.
– Is he afraid of horses?
Lot’s of people think if the child is small it’s okay to “ride double”. They mean they want the child to ride with them on the same horse. The American Medical Association goes against this practice.
The reason why is, if something should happen and your horse “acts up” or is startled on the trail, you may fall off. Then the adult falling on the small child injures the child far more than if the child simply fell off his/her own horse. For safety, it’s best everyone should have their own mount.
What size horse do you need to have for your ride? Horses can safely carry 20% of their body weight. For example, if you weigh 200 lbs, you need a 1000 pound horse.
A FEW IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT HORSES…
1. Horses don’t know they are big. That’s why we can control them with the bit in their mouth.
2. Horses think like little children and expect you to protect & comfort them.
3. You NEED to know this. Whoever is most stubborn wins! You have to be more stubborn than the horse to be a successful rider.
Hope these tips have been helpful to you.
Nancy Sellers with Arrowmont Stables
Cullowhee, NC
Filed under: Riding Tips
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