How to Make Sure You Are Protected from Any Falls on Your Horse

Horseback riding is an exhilarating sport that many enjoy. However, the more experienced riders would know that with constant riding, falling off the horse is an inevitable matter that everyone faces. This might sound scary at first, but if proper precautions are taken, it can become a very minor accident. On that note, here is a quick guide on how you can protect yourself during a fall.

1. Work On Your Strength

Exercising and working on your strength is one of the surefire ways to protect yourself against horse riding falls. While this is of course a time-consuming activity, training will allow you to become stronger and more fit, and increasing those characteristics can reduce the level of risk of your injury and allow you to heal faster. It also increases your reaction speed so you can promptly react when falling. Your training regimen should contain strength training, where you’ll need to focus on building muscles and strengthening your core. You should also include some sort of cardio exercise like running or swimming to build your stamina.

2. Always Wear a Helmet

 A helmet should always be at your disposal every time you go horseback riding. Investing in a proper helmet can be the difference between you suffering from a minor headache to you experiencing a serious concussion. Make sure to buy an ASTM/SEI-certified helmet that properly fits your head to ensure maximum safety. Your helmet should not be too tight or loose. Moreover, seeking professional help when getting a helmet is recommended. Your helmet should also be sent for re-padding every once in a while to preserve its integrity. It should be emphasized that cutting corners in this area of safety is extremely dangerous and forbidden if you’re thinking of riding a horse. You’ll get dangerous injuries if you do so.

3. Proper Attire

Along with always wearing a helmet, you need to wear the proper horse riding attire to protect yourself from harm. Buying a full set of riding safety equipment is a must and should be worn every time you ride a horse, even if it’s just for a simple stroll. Your horse riding attire should contain a set of sturdy, well-fitting, low-heeled boots, gloves, and a body protector to wear on top of your comfortable clothes. Make sure that your attire is also not too loose as it can become a hassle during your ride, and may get tangled with the horse’s saddle and reins.

4. Make Your Horse Comfortable

Your horse’s comfort can be the difference between a smooth ride and an aggressive and dangerous one. This is why, before riding your horse, you have to go through certain precautions. First, before equipping your horse, you should check if he is suffering from any pain or discomfort. This could be the case if you notice that your horse is acting unusually. Make sure to thoroughly examine the horse by rubbing your hands all over his body. If you notice any reactions to your pressure, then immediately contact a vet.

On the other hand, if your horse is not experiencing any pain, then it’s fine to equip him right away. However, you need to make sure that the equipment is comfortable and well-fitted. The saddle should be perfectly placed, not too forward or back, or your horse will suffer pain and will act up, putting you in danger. Your saddle should also be in great condition and preferably padded. Moreover, opt for a soft bit so that your horse doesn’t experience any discomfort in his mouth. Finally, use proper, non-slip safety stirrups to secure your feet.

5. Learn How to Properly Fall

While it might sound counterproductive to learn how to fall when you’re trying to avoid such an accident, learning the correct and safe way to fall off a horse can be the factor that saves you from severe injuries or even your life. You need to know when you should purposely fall off your horse if he goes off the rails. Unnecessarily holding onto the reins can lead to more harm than good. Once you’ve learned how to gauge the timing, learn how to push yourself away from the horse, how to land on your feet, and how to land on the ground safely using a tuck and roll technique if landing on your feet proves to be impossible.

There you have it! These are the things you need to consider to ensure your safety during horseback riding and, in case of a fall. Taking care of your safety is essential for you to have an enjoyable ride with your horse, so make sure to give it the importance it needs.