Horseback trail riding, like any other sport or exercise, comes with its dangers. Before you take off on your excursion there are some tips that you need to know to keep yourself, as well as your horse, safe.
Never go alone
If you are new to trail riding or if you are in unfamiliar territory, you never go alone. Take your instructor or a friend who is an avid horse rider with you.
The main reason is safety. If you are thrown from your horse and are hurt, it might be a while before someone finds you. If you have another rider with you then they can go for help.
Bring Extra Equipment and Gear
Always pack extra! Clip-on horseshoes, reins, and even a halter, girth, and bridle if you plan to trailer your horse.
Make sure to pack your saddlebags ahead of time and double-check them before you leave to make sure that you packed all the extras you might need.
Keep in mind that an extra set of reins can be used for emergencies like having to use them as a sling or even a tourniquet in case of injury.
Weather Watch
You don’t want you or your horse stuck out in the wide-open during a storm or other bad weather. So, watch the weather report.
If there is a chance of snowstorms or thunderstorms, plan your trail ride for another day.
During a rainstorm, the trails become unsteady and sick, rain can also make visibility near impossible. Refrain from going on your ride.
First Aid Kit is a Must
One of the most important tips is that you always carry a first aid kit when going on a horseback trail ride. Even something as a simple fall off of a horse can require medical attention.
Any wound will need immediate attention until you can get the person medical treatment and a first aid kit is the best way to be prepared for that.
In your first aid kit make sure to always have gauze, cleaning wipes, scissors, tweezers, antibiotic cream, medical tape, band-aids, and a small bottle of peroxide. You may also want to add insect repellant, vet wrap, snakebite kit, and duct tape.
Do NOT Tie the Reins to a Tree
This is basic horse knowledge, regardless of what the movies show. The reins are attached to the bit that goes into your horse’s mouth. If something spooks your horse and it pulls back then this could cause major damage to your horse’s mouth.
Bring a lead rope and halter with you on a horseback trail ride even if you don’t think that you will be dismounting anywhere, things happen.
Put a Halter Over Your Horse’s Bridle
Put your horse’s halter on over his bridle when going on a trail ride. There are a few reasons for this.
If your horse acts up, you can dismount and use the halter for groundwork getting his attention back on you.
If you fall off of your horse and have the halter on it will make it a lot easier for you to catch your horse if he takes off.
Having the halter over the bridle makes it easier for you to be able to tie your horse to a tree.
Learn the One-Rein Stop
One of the first things you should learn before going on a horseback trail ride is the one-rein stop. This is your horse’s “emergency brake”. This is accomplished by pulling one rein that pulls your horse’s head around to your knee.
This will prevent your horse from being able to rear up, buck, or bolt if something scares or startles him.
Carry a Cell Phone With You
Always bring your cell phone with you. Horseback trail rides are always unpredictable. Too many things can happen and in an emergency, you will be able to call for help.
Even if you are just walking around out in a pasture somewhere, maybe to catch a horse that has bolted, bring your cell phone. It is your quickest form of getting help.
Do Not Leave The Trail
Even if you believe that you know where you’re going, do not leave the trail. It is too easy to get lost. The trail is marked for a reason, it’s safe. Going off-trail can read you to cliff edges, hazardous landscapes, and loose rocks which will put your horse and yourself in danger.
Getting lost from going off-trail can be equally as dangerous. It could be days or even longer before you are found.
There are times that the trial may not be clearly marked. For this reason, always have a compass in your pocket when you’re going on a horseback trail ride. At least you will know in what direction to head.
Horse Behavior in a Group
Do you know how your horse will behave within a group of riders? If you don’t, you need to find out before going out on a horseback trail ride with a group of others.
If your horse gets nervous near other horses, he may end up kicking out or getting scared and this can be extremely dangerous for all.
Make sure you test your horse before actually going out on a trail ride. Try riding with others in an arena setting and see how your horse reacts and it gives the horse a chance to get used to being around other riders.
Try doing exercises with a group, this helps the horse learn how to be calm and can make a huge difference out on the trail.
When dealing with animals as big as a horse is, it is always better to be safe than sorry.. Out on a trail ride, it’s not only the horse that can become a danger to you.
Make sure to follow these tips. It will eliminate some of the potential hazards you could face on the trail and ensure an enjoyable ride.