We love spending quality time relaxing with our horses, but as we become more and more trusting of our equine companions, we often fall into the trap of being a little too comfortable around them. The reality is that horses are, at their core, prey animals, who can be dangerous and unpredictable if we do not remain cautious. While the likelihood of something going wrong is often low, when things do go wrong, they have the potential to be catastrophic and life altering.
The good news is that there are simple, easy practices that we can all put in place to keep both ourselves and our horses safe and happy!
- Don’t Text and Ride
While we strongly advise keeping a cellphone firmly attached to you while you ride (in case of emergencies), it is never a good idea to text or chat while riding. Even the most level-headed horse can spook. If you are not paying attention, because you are too focused on your phone, then a simple spook could turn in to a nasty fall. Even taking pictures should be done in a controlled and safe way.
- Stand to the Side
It’s common to see riders standing immediately in front of their horse, while grooming, chatting, checking their phone, etc. Just like in our first tip, it is important to remember that any horse can spook – and when they do, they will almost always run forward. If someone is standing in front of a spooking horse, they are likely to get run over. Just be mindful and always stand slightly to their side in order to give yourself space if something unexpected occurs.
- Stay Close By
Even though we don’t want to be immediately in front of our horses, we also do not want to be too far away. We never want to leave horses unattended unless they are untacked and in their stall or field. Our curious and excitable friends can easily get halters and tack stuck on the array of hooks, clasps, handles, hinges and other common barn accessories. A stuck horse can easily panic and do damage, to the barn, the tack and themselves.
- Pay Attention to Leads/Reins
Remember to always hold the lead rope, lunge line or reins in such a way that you can easily escape if necessary. Never loop them around your hands! A spooked horse can easily deglove your hand (don't Google this, it is exactly what it sounds like!). Also, never allow your reins or lead rope to hang so low that your foot could step on or in it. Imagine what could happen if your horse spooked in that instance! If a body part could be trapped, then you could end up dragged, dislocated or worse.
- Ditch the “my horse would never … “
The last horse that tossed me was the absolute last horse I thought would ever misbehave. In fact, they didn't "misbehave" a turkey spooked them, but more on that another time. The fact is that there is no such thing as a “bombproof” prey animal. So if you catch yourself saying “my horse would never do XYZ” then perhaps take a second to reconsider. Spooking and running away from danger is a deeply ingrained and completely natural reaction for prey animals to avoid predators (or scary things like turkeys). Any horse can kick, bite, rear, buck, spook, etc. under the right (or wrong!) scenario. It is best to just be honest with ourselves and be prepared.
- Stay Attentive
The best thing we can do to keep ourselves and our horses safe is to simply be attentive. When you are with your ponies, be mindful and enjoy your time with them without distractions. Practicing being present is the best tip we can give any rider. The result will be a more enjoyable experience for you both and will help to keep you safe!
- Jaclyn Ziemniak & Joshua Knowles
