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Horse Rider Safety
Horse riding can be challenging for even the most experienced of riders. That’s why adhering to best practice horse rider safety is essential for protecting both riders and horses during everyday routines and conditions. To keep risks to a minimum, it’s important to adhere to best practices like proper stable procedures, using protective equipment, and ensuring horses are in a healthy physical condition. In this article, we’ll go everything you need to know before you head out with your horse.
Approaching and handling horses should always be done calmly to avoid spooking them. Riders should speak to a horse before entering its space, approach from the side, and avoid loud noises or sudden movements. Entering a space with multiple horses requires additional caution because crowding or food fights around feed can be dangerous. Use a lead rope for control, and never wrap ropes around the body to avoid injury if a horse bolts.
It’s important for helmets to adhere to international safety standards, including PAS015:2011, VG1, ASTM F1163:2023, or SNELL E2021. A helmet should be snug but comfortable, and not move whenthe rider shakes their head. Ensure your strap is fastened securely at all times. Where the protective quality of a helmet declines over time, they must be replaced every three to five years, and it’s crucial to replace after any significant impact.
Wearing sturdy boots with reinforced toes and a slight heel can help prevent your feet from slipping in stirrups and provides protection when working around horses. Gloves are also important in protecting against rope burns and improves grip on the reins, especially in wet or cold weather.
Riders need to be wearing high-visibility jacets or brands when riding on or near roads to ensure that they can be seen by drivers, cyclings, and pedestrians, especially in low light or poor weather. This is actually mandatory in line with the Highway Code.
Beginners and children should always ride under supervision and only on well-trained horses; with gentle temperament and consistent responses. Always consider horse riding schools if you’re just starting out.
Riders should always check overhead to ensure that the horse in a suitable place for mounting to avoid injuries. Mounting blocks should be used to ensure stability, balance and suitable positioning.
Just like driving a car, it’s crucial to stay attentive. Riders must keep their eyes forward at all times and avoid distractions like mobile phones. Ensuring focus allows for timely responses to a horse’s actions and any sudden changes, lowering the risk of falls or accidents.
Choosing the right horse feed supports physical and behavioural wellbeing . Browse our high-quality, nutritional-balanced range of horse feed brands to help maintain consistency for your horse and instill calm behaviour, crucial when riding in more challenging conditions to hazardous environments.
Stable and handling
Approaching and handling horses should always be done calmly to avoid spooking them. Riders should speak to a horse before entering its space, approach from the side, and avoid loud noises or sudden movements. Entering a space with multiple horses requires additional caution because crowding or food fights around feed can be dangerous. Use a lead rope for control, and never wrap ropes around the body to avoid injury if a horse bolts.
Protective equipment
Helmets
It’s important for helmets to adhere to international safety standards, including PAS015:2011, VG1, ASTM F1163:2023, or SNELL E2021. A helmet should be snug but comfortable, and not move whenthe rider shakes their head. Ensure your strap is fastened securely at all times. Where the protective quality of a helmet declines over time, they must be replaced every three to five years, and it’s crucial to replace after any significant impact.
Boots and gloves
Wearing sturdy boots with reinforced toes and a slight heel can help prevent your feet from slipping in stirrups and provides protection when working around horses. Gloves are also important in protecting against rope burns and improves grip on the reins, especially in wet or cold weather.
High-vis clothing
Riders need to be wearing high-visibility jacets or brands when riding on or near roads to ensure that they can be seen by drivers, cyclings, and pedestrians, especially in low light or poor weather. This is actually mandatory in line with the Highway Code.
Standard procedures
Beginners
Beginners and children should always ride under supervision and only on well-trained horses; with gentle temperament and consistent responses. Always consider horse riding schools if you’re just starting out.
Mounting
Riders should always check overhead to ensure that the horse in a suitable place for mounting to avoid injuries. Mounting blocks should be used to ensure stability, balance and suitable positioning.
Avoid distractions
Just like driving a car, it’s crucial to stay attentive. Riders must keep their eyes forward at all times and avoid distractions like mobile phones. Ensuring focus allows for timely responses to a horse’s actions and any sudden changes, lowering the risk of falls or accidents.
Suitable horse feed
Choosing the right horse feed supports physical and behavioural wellbeing . Browse our high-quality, nutritional-balanced range of horse feed brands to help maintain consistency for your horse and instill calm behaviour, crucial when riding in more challenging conditions to hazardous environments.
Posted on: 03/09/2025
