- Horseback riding; Be prepared. Don't panic.
- Horseback riders only survive dangerous situations that can not be avoided by being prepared and aware of their surroundings at all times.
Every year, thousands of people are seen in U.S. emergency rooms because of injuries they sustained during horseback riding and other horse-related activities. Riding atop a large animal that can easily weigh 1,000 pounds, especially a prey animal that is ruled by its fight-or-flight instincts, leaves a lot of potential for something to go wrong and for the rider to get injured. Horseback riders only survive dangerous situations that can not be avoided by being prepared and aware of their surroundings at all times.
In the first place, being prepared, both physically and mentally, improves a rider’s chances of survival greatly. Valerie Netto, in her article “Horse Safety!” stresses the importance of preparation in making the handling and riding of horses safer. Most people do not realize that being physically prepared means a lot more than just having a horse and a saddle. Having and using the correct safety gear, such as helmets, appropriate clothing, and good quality equipment would also fall in this category. The helmet provides head protection in case the rider falls off. Clothing is a large issue with horse riders. According to Netto, baggy and loose-fitting clothing can “catch on a protrusion such as the saddle horn” and cause potentially deadly situations for the rider. A safe rider wears properly fitted clothing and appropriate boots. Good quality tack can prevent equipment malfunctions that could cost somebody their life. Mark Rashid, in his book “Considering the Horse”, teaches that forcing the horse “into a very tight and uncomfortable circle” by pulling the horses head completely to one side with the reins can “[stop] the unstoppable horse.” A good equestrian learns the correct actions to take if something were to go wrong before actually hopping on a horse. This simple mental preparation strategy can make the rider safer and can give them a sense of comfort knowing that they are prepared in case something tragic does happen.
Additionally, when riding a horse, being aware can be the difference between safely avoiding a crisis and getting an ambulance ride to the hospital. According to Katherine Blocksdorf in her article “How to Fall Off Your Horse”, a rider should “try to see the spookies before your horse does so you can divert its attention.” This can prevent the horse from spooking or reacting badly, which can lead to disaster. An aware rider will most likely notice anything unwonted that could spook their horse beforehand, giving them a chance to divert the equine’s attention or go a different direction and ultimately avoiding a potential catastrophe. Valerie Netto also suggests in her article that a rider should “never assume that your horse ‘would never do that.’” This is part of being aware because if a person trusts their horse too much, they would be less likely to stay alert and aware while riding, which could allow them to miss something that, if only the rider had been paying attention, could have easily been spotted and avoided. Another important assumption that people make is that they can ride just any horse. However, a responsible rider makes sure that the horse that they will be riding fits their skill level. For example, a person who is inexperienced at riding and being around horses should not ride a ferine, rambunctious, rowdy, rodeo-worthy horse. Just as Hal, Mercedes, and Charles tried to control and maintain Buck’s skilled team of dogs with very little knowledge of dog sledding in Jack London’s “The Call of the Wild,” some people try to ride and control a horse whose skill level is way above their own, ultimately leading to disaster. Being aware of not only the surroundings, but also the skill level of both the rider and horse can play a large role in having a safe, fun horseback riding experience.
Furthermore, a responsible rider learns how to survive when the hard ground summons them and will not take no for an answer. “If you know you are going to fall, try to kick your feet free of the stirrups” and “roll out of the way of your horse’s legs,” Blocksdorf encourages. If not, the person caught on the saddle could be severely injured or dragged by a frightened horse. Breaking the fall with their arms could result in the rider sustaining broken or fractured limbs. YoungRider.com, the website of a popular horseback riding magazine, insists that a rider “let go of the reins” when they fall. What to do with the reins when a fall is unavoidable is a very controversial subject among riders. Some, such as Katherine Blocksdorf, state that “if you are out on trail, you [should] try to hold on to the reins.” However, this could lead to the rider having a broken arm or injuring the horse’s mouth due to the reins yanking on the bit that the horse is wearing. “Many horses put down their heads and graze after you fall, and if your mount runs off someone will catch him eventually. (YoungRider.com)” Being able to fall properly can give the rider a higher chance of survival and can ultimately lead to both the horse and rider returning safely after a ride.
All in all, riding a horse is a very dangerous activity to participate in and staying safe while doing so can be an arduous task. Good riders will do everything in their power to possibly lessen the threat of death or injury to both themselves and the horse. This can only be accomplished by being prepared, both physically and mentally, and by staying aware of themselves and their horses at all times. Next time you ride a horse or even consider riding a horse, think about what you can do to make the ride as safe as possible and lessen the chances of anybody getting hurt.
Works Cited
Blocksdorf, Katherine. "How to Fall Off Your Horse." About.com Horses. About.com. Web. 14 May 2012. http://horses.about.com/od/learntoride/a/falloffhorse.htm.
"Falling Off Your Horse." Falling Off Your Horse. YoungRider.com. Web. 14 May 2012. http://www.youngrider.com/young-rider-magazine/january-2007/falling-off.aspx.
Netto, Valerie. "Horse Safety." Horse Safety. InfoHorse.com, 2007. Web. 14 May 2012. http://www.infohorse.com/horsesafety.asp.
Rashid, Mark. Considering the Horse: Tales of Problems Solved and Lessons Learned. Boulder: Johnson, 1993. Print.
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