Tack n' Talk
Online Equestrian ResourceArchive for Rider Safety
Jumping Safety
In my younger days, I was fearless. Jubee, my 14.2 hh Chestnut Arabian Mare and I went everywhere and over everything, it didn’t matter how high or how long. It’s funny that when we grow older, we think of the “what ifs” and when as children, we never think of what could happen, we just do. My Jubee was a spunky little mare, who always took the challenge of what I presented to her and thinking back I am sure she sailed over some of those jumps with ease just to protect me, her passenger, even though she thought I was absolutely nuts!
As knowing adults what can we do to increase jumping safety for our children and those around us?
Firstly, when jumping never jump alone. Always have someone there either riding with you, or watching you on the ground should something happen.
The number one safety item that everyone should wear is an approved fitting helmet ensuring that the helmet is fitted properly and will stay on in case of a spill.
My mother’s second safety rule was to always wear a jumping vest as I am sure I set her heart racing when we took to the field! The purpose of a safety vest is to protect your spine and internal organs in case of a fall. The foam of the vest is also meant to absorb the impact of the fall instead of your body. If you are a novice rider you may want to consider wearing a vest during all rides for added safety.
Do not jump if empty cups remain in the jumping standards be sure to always remove unused cups. Often, those cups which hold the horizontal poles in place are often made of metal. If you fall off and hit one, believe me it hurts!
Never jump a jump if you are not comfortable with it. Expect your heart to beat a little faster when you are learning to take those jumps, but don’t let anyone force you into a jump you feel is too high, too challenging or just too uncomfortable.
Adjust your jumping stirrup length to be shorter than usual as your crotch must be able to clear the front of your saddle and also allowing you to be able to absorb the shock of landing. To check your stirrup length for jumping, stand up in the saddle at the halt. With your heels down, your crotch should clear the front of your saddle by about two inches.
Good luck with those jumps! Larissa 🙂
Horse Show Safety Update
Thank you Tack and Talk readers for your general comments and emails on my past article, Horse Show Safety.
A number of you requested more information on the Check List and Thank you Cards. With respect to the Thank You Cards, I give Sponsorship Thank You Cards with me riding my competition horse at the front, sample below. As I have 3 horses, I have pre-printed cards with each of the horses. Remember to personally sign your thank you card also providing the class number or details on your card.
Thank you for your sponsorship: Larissa Cox and Rotario
Good luck at competition! Larissa 🙂
Horse Show Safety
By: Larissa Cox, M.Sc. Equine Science
Yes, it’s this time of year again when the show season is in full swing. Excitement is in the air as we practice at home in preparation of show day. Even on the best of days, with the most experienced horses and people, something can go wrong so it’s always best to be prepared. Just realize that every horse and every exhibitor has a “first show” and that not everyone is experienced or competent, so patience and consideration is a key at every show!
Below, are several ways that you can prepare yourself for the anxiety of showing! Showing is stressful for all concerned. The horses can be tense. The riders can be tense. Parents can be tense. The show staff, generally volunteers, can be tense and at times inexperienced. The list goes on. With all this tension, it stands to reason that neither the horse nor the rider will be at 100% performance. So, keep in mind that the horse will be performing less than at home and the rider will also be less capable than at home. It is for this reason alone that it is very important to have a well practiced procedure in place before the show date. Horse shows are meant to be fun, so with a little thought and practice you can come home showing off that blue ribbon and letting everyone know you had a great, pleasurable time!
Guidelines
- Have a check list prepared before leaving for the show: One for you and one for the horse. This checklist is always helpful when packing for your show.
- Have the necessary health papers prepared in plenty of time of the show. As this will vary from state to state and show to show, you will need to find out exactly what is required. Always take photocopies of your documentation with you, just in case the show secretary requires this information when you register as often the show grounds do not have photocopy machines.
- If you will be attending a one day show, keep in mind that parking may be an issue. I have found that, in some cases, the show staff will mark off parking spaces to allow for enough room between trailers however often this is not the case. If they do not mark off for trailer parking, bring cones or markers with you so you can do this yourself ensuring you have enough room between trailers for the safe handling and tying of your horses. Pre-inspect your trailer prior to leaving to ensure that when you tie your horse, your trailer will not have any sharp edges where your horse could be injured. When at the show, hang buckets chest high to the horse and do not leave them on the ground unless they are at least 20 feet away from your horse. Hay nets should be of the breakable type and should be hung with the main string put through the bottom ring to make it more compact and then hung as high as the horses head in such a way that it will not drop down as it is emptied. Be discouraged in using large hay nets as it is very difficult to hang a large, full hay net so that it won’t drop down within the reach of your horse’s feet!
- At larger, multi-day shows stabling can be an issue as the aisle way is generally used for storage, horse grooming, etc. It is my opinion that aisles should be considered a public area and viewed as a source of potential liability if one creates a hazard in that area. The fact that everyone does it, to me does not make it a safe practice and should be discouraged. Hay should be stored in hay bags keeping the aisle way hay free and stored neatly in front of your stall. Horses should not be cross tied in the aisle way in front of your stall for grooming as other entrants frequently must pass your horse and all the “stuff” that surrounds that stall, including electrical cords, lawn chairs, horse tack, boxes, and general clutter. If either your horse, or the cross tied horse becomes upset, this can be a problem. Grooming, tacking-up etc can be done in the stall and not in the aisle way.
- Where and how to tack-up and un-tack at a horse show is a procedure in itself. Again, tacking up in the stall is preferable to tacking up in the aisle.
Tacking up your horse at your trailer presents a different set of issues as there is a risk of your horse becoming loose. At every show I have attended, there have been multiple announcements of loose horses. This, I believe, generally relates to the method of tying and managing your horse when changing from being tied to being tacked. The most important thing to remember is that your horse must never be out of your control. While we may not want to fasten the halter around the horse’s neck while he is still tied, we don’t want the horse loose, so it is better to untie the rope but leave something around the horse’s neck. This will lessen the possibility of your horse getting away. Having two people who both know what they are doing and have practiced this routine is a big help at the show. - Warm up arenas to me, are the most dangerous place of any show. Trying to ride safely in the warm-up ring with other nervous, pre-occupied riders can be difficult. Some shows have warm-up facilities for novice riders and you should find out when you register for the show the warm-up facility and procedures. If there is an unsafe practice being used in the warm-up arena, please do not hesitate to inform show management.
- When at the show, you should enter one level below of what you are working on at home. For example, if you are training Second Level dressage at home, you should enter at First Level at the show as this will give you the confidence you need to perform. Arrive at the gate ready and in order before your ride time.
- At all the shows I have attended, I always attempt to find the sponsor of my class and either send them a note or personally say “thank you.” I prepare my Thank You cards at home and always take them with me to each show. If I cannot find the sponsor to personally thank them, I leave them my Thank You Note in the show office. We need community support of our sport and we should let those who sponsor our classes know that we appreciate their sponsorship.
Good luck and happy showing! – Larissa
Thank you Tack and Talk readers for your general comments and emails on my article, Horse Show Safety.
A number of you requested more information on the Check List and Thank you Cards. With respect to the Thank You Cards, I give Sponsorship Thank You Cards with me riding my competition horse at the front, sample below. As I have 3 horses, I have pre-printed cards with each of the horses. Remember to personally sign your thank you card also providing the class number or details on your card.
Thank You For Your Sponsorship. Larissa Cox and Rotario
Good luck at competition! Larissa 🙂
Trailer Safety
By: Larissa Cox
Ahh, the warm weather is here and we are all hauling our horses here and there, but how many of us actually check our trailer on a regular basis? Below are some trailer safety tips which you may find helpful.
It is most important that your trailer and tow vehicle are in good working order.
Check:
- Breaks, break lights, running lights, all lights around the trailer
- Tires, check pressure and lug nuts
- Look for loose bolts, hairline cracks and other signs of wear on your hitch. Check for proper hookup
- Make sure safety chains are crossed and hooked to the two vehicle frame not the bumper. You may think that this is common sense, but I have seen several tow vehicles at shows minus bumpers!
- Check your breakaway cable length as it should be shorter than your safety chains, but not so short that it’ll break free when you make a tight turn. Weave the cable through a line of one chain, so it won’t snag and pull free.
- Gates – are they secure and not broken
- Check for broken metal pieces, making sure that nothing is there that can hurt the horse
- Keep your trailer clean and disinfected at all times
- Always keep an emergency first aid kid, one for people, the other for horses
- Check fluid levels of your tow vehicle.
- Have a cell phone available and fully charged with you
- Pack water and keep it in the trailer in case of emergencies – for drinking or for cleaning wounds
- Make frequent stops to allow your horse to rest
Don’t leave home without:
- An extra halter and lead rope for each horse
- Emergency flares and/or reflector triangles
- Flashlight (how many people do you see using their cell phones??)
- Jumper cables and spare fuses
- Spare tires for both the tow vehicle and trailer, jack, blocks, wrench and WD-40.
- Took-kit (crowbar, hammer, screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers)
- Duct tape
When traveling and if you are fortunate to have a trailer with drop-down windows, put the windows down each time you stop at a restaurant or rest stop so that your horse’s can put their heads out and relax a little. Remember that horses use their muscles to keep themselves balanced as you are transporting them, so stopping allowing them to rest and poke their heads out the window is a welcomed treat.
Happy riding – Larissa.
Horse Safety for Children
By: Larissa Cox, M.Sc. Applied Equine Science
Someone once said that a childhood spent with horses is a childhood spent learning responsibility. When children start spending time with horses, they start on the path of learning, and the wonderful adventure is that this learning is a lifelong pursuit. I remember my mother telling me that bonding with horses is much more than barn chores and riding lessons. It is a time when a trusting partnership between person and horse develops. A horse, just as a child, if there is no trust and respect, he will not listen. We all know that it is impossible to eliminate all the risks when dealing with horses, but education on horse safety will greatly reduce the possibility of an accident and injury.
Ground Safety
A horse cannot see directly in front of or behind him, so when approaching a horse, speak to him to let him know that you are coming. This lets the horse that you are coming closer and will prevent him from being startled. Children should always approach the horse at his side, touching his neck or shoulder first. Do not come up to the horse from the back as he may kick you – hard! Teach children to stay calm, focused and alert to the horse. Children can have fun, but cannot be careless or irresponsible around these animals.
Leading
This may be strange, but leading a horse does require a lead rope! Children should never learn to lead a horse by simply using the halter. If the horse should spook, holding onto the halter provides absolutely no options and can cause injuries. The lead rope attaches to the horse’s halter and is held folded in the hand. Teach children never to wrap a lead rope around their hand, or any part of their body. Walk beside the horse when you’re leading him, not ahead or behind. Never sit on the ground next to the horse.
Feeding
Feeding carrots, apples or treats can be so much fun, but there are safe ways for children to feed treats to horses. Feed carrots or apple chunks from the palm of your flattened hand to prevent any finger biting. Better yet and especially in the case of greedy horses, teach children to feed the horse by putting treats inside a bucket. Teach children to avoid the horse’s mouth (no kisses).
Tying
One of the most important safety lessons a child needs to learn is how to tie a horse securely. The knot should be at least as high as the horse’s eye and the distance from the knot to halter should be no longer than the length of an adult’s arm. Teach a child the quick-release, or breakaway knot method of typing their horse. I remember using the kitchen chair while my Mom showed me how to tie the quick-release knot.
Grooming
Have children stand near the shoulder or next to the hindquarters rather than directly in front or directly behind a horse when grooming his head or brushing his tail. Don’t duck under the tie rope when wanting to get to the other side as this may cause the horse to pull back and again put the child at risk for injury. Have children be mindful of the horse’s feet as horses are often careless about where they step. Funny as this may seem, but remind children that when they release the horse’s foot after cleaning, make sure their foot isn’t in the spot where the hoof will hit the ground. Please ask children that when they groom the horse’s lower leg, never to kneel or sit on the ground but to remain squatting so that they can jump away if needed.
When blanketing the horse, always have children fasten the chest straps first, then the girth, then the hind-leg straps. When they remove the blanket, unfasten in reverse order. This makes it impossible for the blanket to slip and become tangled with the horse’s legs.
Getting on
A child should never mount their horse under low overhead clearance or projections. They should follow proper techniques and maintain contact with the reins as they swing aboard. The horse should stand still for mounting or be held by an adult until the child is securely and comfortably in the saddle.
In the Saddle
Children should ride with adult supervision until their skills are well established. Riding instruction is highly recommended. Safety includes proper boots and a proper fitting approved helmet (ASTM/SEI). I remember that the first number of years I rode with breakaway stirrups as well as a safety vest in case of a fall. Actually, I wasn’t able to ride my horse unless I wore the proper clothes with my shirt tucked in, proper boots, helmet and my vest! Mom’s rules! And, I remember my mother always telling me “don’t goof off in the saddle!” Staying calm, focused and alert in the saddle at all times is a key safeguard. Children can have fun, but shouldn’t become careless or unmindful!
Don’t allow your child to ride out on the trail until their instructor deems that they are ready and teaches them how ensuring that the horse is trail safe. Your child shouldn’t ride out alone at any time.
Hack Safety
Written by: Larissa Cox
Now that summer is here, we all think about hacking and it seems each time we are out for longer periods, going further in search of new places. There is nothing better than tacking up and going out for a relaxing hack with friends or on your own. The change of scenery, the gallop in the field makes you fall in love with riding and horses all over again and you forget all about the stresses of life.
Wherever you ride, it is highly likely that you will have to encounter a certain amount of road work at some time or another. Always make sure that both you and your horse wear reflective high visibility clothing so that you can be easily seen by others using the same roadway.
If you were like me, initially I didn’t think there was a need for reflective clothing, after all, my hacks were in daylight, but take a close look at this picture which was taken in daylight. How long did it take you to see the second horse and rider?
Even though you have no intention of riding into the night, there may be those circumstances when you do, so having reflective clothing is a very good idea for each and every time you hack.
Not only do I ride with a reflective vest and reflective arm bands, but my horse Rio is decked out with leg reflectors and a martingale reflector. He also wears an LED flashing brow band by Horse e Lites. This brow band has reflective stitching above and below the lights which enhance visibility to over 1000 feet so that we can be seen.
In my previous post, I mentioned some equipment that I take along with me during my trail rides/hacks, one of which is a cell phone. Some people put their phones in their pockets and each time I have done so, it seems the phone isn’t there when I need it. If you trot along the trail, your cell phone can bounce out of your pocket, so I now have a cute cell phone holder which attaches to my riding boot. I personally like this way of carrying my cell phone rather than strapping it to my arm. The cell phone holder is fairly inexpensive ranging in price from $7.50 – $10.00 and in my opinion is a good investment. Attached to the inside of the cell phone holder is my personal and medical information. I also have a sport ID wrist band which I also use. In case Rio and I are separated, Rio has attached to his bridle an ID tag which has all his information so that we can be reunited. This ID tag is attached to his bridle at all times. On occasion and especially when Rio is travelling, I attach an Equitag onto his mane for more visibility and added protection.
A serious consideration for anyone on a hack is a first aid kit. Whether you design one for yourself or purchase one, make sure it is a comprehensive first aid kit in a convenient compact portable pack. I have one that fits on my belt designed for everyday emergencies. Remember to include aspirin and some folded duct tape!
For the hacker that has everything and wants even more, try a folding hoof pick belt! There is just so much you can take with you on a hack and you really don’t want to be burdened with so much equipment as you really want to enjoy the ride, so another space saving safety item is the folding hoof pick belt. We all wear belts, right? The hoof pick actually snaps off and is a fully functional hoof pick which is satisfactory for those trail issues.
I have modified everything to suit my needs when hacking out. You use a saddle pad on your horse so why not use one with pockets? Pockets can
store anything from water to snacks! These pads aren’t too badly priced at $35 each. I put my collapsible Vapur refillable water bottle in the pocket along with my trail mix or energy bar. I generally keep my empty bottle in the pocket so that I always have it on hand when I hack out and don’t have to hunt for it.
These are just a few items that I use constantly on my hacks. You may think that this is just so much you need to take, but you’ll find it’s quick and just as easy as tacking up your horse…and yet you are prepared for the trail.
Happy riding, Larissa.
Hello Weekend: Rider Safety
Written by: Larissa Cox
Over the next few posts, I’ll be focusing on safety. Hopefully, many of you will find these posts interesting and informative.
For many people, trail riding is the only way to ride! But if you’re anything like me as your main objective the show arena, trail riding can provide that welcome break on routine for both you and your horse. However, before you go out onto the trail, here are a few suggestions.
Before you leave the yard, tell someone where you plan to go and about how long you will be. Check the weather and dress accordingly. If you’re planning for an afternoon trail ride, pack snacks and drinks. This isn’t a safety issue, but I always enjoy munching when I’m riding. Also make sure that your horse has been offered water before hitting the trail.
Wear your helmet and proper boots. Know your horse! Your horse should be calm and safe around traffic and should be reasonably well schooled and obedient. The more familiar you are with your horse and his body language, the better you’ll be to recognize trouble signs, such as pinned ears and tensed muscles.
Your tack should be looked at and sturdy. Replace any tack that is suspect. If you plan to tie your horse during your trail ride, take along a halter that can be put over the bridle and a lead rope. Remember never to tie your horse by the reins.
It is recommended that you take a hoof pick, a pocket knife, cell phone and a small first aid kit with you during your ride.
Be aware of your surrounds so that you can anticipate any potential trouble spots. Any situation can be a trouble spot on the trail from riding around that bend where a dog charges the fence and barks up a storm, to a bird taking flight across the trail. Your horse might be initially spooked, but if he knows that you are aware of the problem and have dismissed it as a non-threat, more than likely your horse will relax. Remember that an alert rider predicts threats and reassures their horse upon exposure to a threat, whereas a nervous rider predicts threats and only makes matters worse.
If you come across another group of horses, know that the tail ribbons are not meant for decoration but have meaning. There are basically four colors of ribbons that you might see on the horse’s tail: red, green, blue and white.
Red ribbons signify that the horse is a kicker, so don’t crowd from behind. A green ribbon means that the horse in inexperienced and more than likely will misbehave so approach with caution. A blue ribbon indicates that the horse is a stallion. This is very important especially if you are riding a mare. A white ribbon signifies that the horse is for sale and is likely not to be seen on a trail.
Enjoy the ride, Larissa.
Helmet Safety: What does ASTM/SEI mean?
By: Larissa Cox, M.Sc. Applied Equine Science
There are may excuses for not wearing a helmet when you ride, but are any of them good reasons? The quietest, most well trained horse can cause injury and wearing a helmet will help protect the one part of your body which cannot be repaired – your brain. So, when you go into that tack shop to purchase your helmet, look for the ASTM/SEI certified label.
The label ASTM/SEI certified has become commonplace in safety helmets over the past several years, but there are few riders who know what those acronyms stand for, let alone what’s required to earn that seal of approval.
The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) is an organization that was formed in 1898 by chemists and engineers from the Pennsylvania Railroad. At that time, the organization was known as the American Section of the International Association Testing and Materials. Mr. Charles B. Dudley, PhD., a chemist with the Pennsylvania Railroad was the driving force behind the formation of the Society. In 2001, the Society became known as ASTM. The ASTM Mission Statement is to promote public health and safety, support the protection and sustainability of the environment, and the overall quality of life…
There are different tests designed for specific sports but to earn the equestrian riding helmet certification, there are four tests the helmet must pass. These tests are performed by the Safety Equipment Institute (SEI) to ensure that helmets ar3e being manufactured to standards that meet or exceed the ASTM standards.
ROUND ANVIL TEST
Objective : to verify the even distribution of the shock wave in order to limit the risks of traumatism.
POINTED ANVIL TEST
Objective : to verify that a sharp object will not pierce the helmet
HELMET RETENTION TEST
Objective : to verify that the helmet stays on in the event of a fall and that the harness strap system is not too long.
VISOR TEST
Objective : to verify the flexibility of the visor to prevent nasal fracture in the event of a fall.
According to Dru Malavase, who served on the ASTM’s equestrian protective headgear committee since 1984, during the Round Anvil Test, the helmets are dropped onto a flat anvil from a height of about six feet from several angles and directions. “Computer sensors measure the sock from the fall that is transferred to the inside of a helmet in terms of gravity force (g). The threshold at which the most serious head injuries occur is 300g.” The Pointed Anvil Test simulates the impact of the side of a jump or a horse’s hoof. During the Helmet Retention Test, all straps must hold the helmet on the head without stretching beyond a certain amount. Then, all helmets are retested again for concussion and retention after being frozen to minus 20 degrees, heated to over 120 degrees and submerged in water overnight. If the helmet still transfers no more than 300g and the strap is still effective, it earns the ASTM/SEI seal of approval.
“With all we put riding helmets through around the barn,” says Malavase, “we have to know that they are still going to protect us.”
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