Horse Riding Safety Tips You are definitely not the only one who has heard about someone being kicked or bucked off a horse. When worse comes to worse when you are on your next horse riding excursion in Utah having good medical insurance can be a life-saver. Prevention is key though, so here are some tips to having fun and riding safe.
Know Your Skill Level Know your skill level and match it to the horse you are going to ride. Some horses are slower, giddier, flightier, basically they are like people and have their own personalities. So think of it like a date and match yourself right based on personality.
Get Some Good Experience Get some good experience with other riders who know about horses. You can get the insides and outs of saddling up, sitting right, and taking over the reins. Also remember the practice makes perfect. It takes time in the saddle to truly be comfortable. That being said, even the most seasoned rodeo cowboys get bucked off occasionally so never get TOO comfortable.
Use the Buddy System Always use the buddy system. No matter how experienced you are, you never know when things can go wrong and having a buddy there can be an added source of security for those accidents that occur.
Have the Right Boots and Jeans Make sure you have some sturdy boots and a thick pair of jeans. We all know how the stereotypical cowboy looks like. There is a reason for that. For instance that bandana you thought was for looks is actually for covering their mouths on the dusty trail and those leather boots with little to no traction are for slipping in and out of the stirrups. Thick jeans help keep your pants from wearing out and getting all ripped up when you’re on the go with your horse.
More Speed Leads to More Trouble Remember that the more speed the more prone you are to getting yourself into trouble. Speed makes it so the rider has a harder time matching what the horse is doing. This can dismount even experienced riders in a hurry.
Put Saddle on Correctly Make sure your saddle is on correctly. There are so many different straps and harnesses used when saddling up. It is easy to be the one who rushes things just to get out on the trail. Don’t fool yourself into thinking that this is a good idea. It takes time and attention to get things done right and it is well worth the safety.
Horses Go Faster when Returning Home Be extra careful when you’re homeward bound. This can be an interesting experience because it seems like the horses kind of trudge along when they are heading up the trail, but when it comes to getting back home they go “full steam ahead”. Trying to keep up with them can be a daunting task. Lastly, it takes skill and instruction to become “one” with the horse, but it can be an exhilarating experience for anyone! Make sure that the next time you are riding horses that you remember these tips and if not, that you are covered by some good medical insurance in Utah.