Merlon Park

By: Maeve Rich

These tips for riding a horse safely can really save your hide. Horse riding is a fun, though somewhat dangerous activity. When you climb onto a horse, you're putting your safety in the hands of an animal. There are some things you can to do decrease your risk while horse riding.
If you're not experienced at riding a horse, it's best to take lessons. An instructor can teach you the proper way to mount, dismount and ride as well as how to handle yourself around a horse.
Never walk behind a horse. If a horse hears something behind it and can't see what that is, it will instinctively kick back. A horse's kick can seriously injure or even kill you.
Wear a helmet, especially if you're a beginner. Being thrown from a horse could cause you to hit your head hard. Look for a helmet that is approved by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). You can find their seal on the inside of the helmet.
Wear proper footwear. Riding boots are preferable, but if you don't have any, wear boots with a heel. This helps you keep your feet in the stirrups.
You can get stirrups with release catches. This is a safety mechanism that will keep you from being dragged by the stirrups if you fall off of the horse.
Check the girth regularly. When you're first putting the girth on, tighten it so that it's relatively snug, but not completely fitted. After the horse has walked around a bit you can tighten it all the way. This is because the horse will hold his chest out, making it difficult to get a proper fit right away. The girth should be tight enough to keep the saddle from slipping (but of course your horse should be able to breathe).
Don't ride alone. As you gain more experience you may be tempted to ride out into the woods by yourself, but if you run into trouble there won't be anybody to help. If your horse throws you and you're knocked unconscious it could be quite some time before anybody is able to find you. On a similar note, always make sure somebody knows where you're going when you're riding a horse.