Horse Riding Road Safety Guide

Riding Hats and Safety Wear

Riding Hats and Safety Wear

Whilst be an exhilarating and enjoyable experience there is a risk involved in horse riding.However, there are a number of ways to minimise the risks involved with riding. This easy to follow guide helps you stay safe whilst riding.

Riding Lessons

When learning to ride always learn from an experienced rider or instructor as they will be able to teach you safe riding techniques like stopping, turning and cueing for transition between gaits. Inexperience riders should always learn through an instructor or experienced rider as they will be able to teach you how to handle and control your horse so that it is an enjoyable and safe experience for both you and your horse. Also they can ensure that you are riding a suitable horse for your skill level.

Safety Wear

Riders should always wear a riding hat conforming to the current standards. As at September 2010 in the UK the two accepted standards of safety are: EN1384/BSEN1384 or PAS 015.Any riding hat you use should conform to one or both of these standards. For maximum protection it is also advisable to wear a body protector especially if riding a young or an inexperienced horse.If riding in dark or gloomy conditions make sure you have high visibility riding gear so that you can easily be seen by all traffic.

Road Position

If possible you should try and avoid riding along roads, but sometimes following a short section of road is just unavoidable. If you do have to use the road make sure to stay on the left hand side of the road near the kerb, so that traffic approaching you will come up behind you and be able to stay slowly behind you until there is a suitable place for them to overtake or you to pull over.Riding two abreast is recommended in cases where there is a young or inexperience horse so that the more experience horse can stay on the outside, nearest to the centre of the road to calm the other horse.However it may be necessary to ride single file when traffic approaches in which case the experienced horse should take the lead.Always ensure that there is a gap of a horse's length between each horse when riding in file formation.

Road Signals

Riders should always keep to the left of the road even when approaching a junction and intending to turn right.When you are nearing your turning, or approaching a junction, ALWAYS check for traffic and then clearly signal to indicate your intention.If turning right do not half heartedly raise you right arm a couple of centimetres - make clear strong signals so that any traffic is fully aware of your intentions, raise your arm out horizontally for 3 seconds.Hold your whip in the hand that remains on the reins.Always stay alert and watch and listen for the traffic be prepared to stop at a junction before turning if necessary.

Other signals may also be required to give further information to the surrounding traffic. For example if a rider is experiencing problems with a horse and needs an approaching driver to slow down then they would hold out the right arm and wave it up and down slowly.

Hazards

Always stay alert! It is easy, especially on a long ride chatting to your riding companions on a sunny day for your mind to wander and to become a bit of a back seat passenger rather than actively riding.This can be very dangerous as your reaction won't be as fast asif you were fully alert and attentive.Make sure you are always in control and concentrating on where you are and what you are doing, be aware of your surroundings, the riding surface, the relationship to other horses, potential hazards, traffic etc.

Check behind you regularly and continually look and listen for hazards which may alarm your horse.If you are approaching a noisy or dangerous hazard make sure to reassure your horse, let another more experienced horse to take the lead or if necessary take a detour.Remember that the ride should be enjoyable for both of you and whilst it's important to encourage your horse you should react to your horse accordingly.

If you follow these guidelines it will help you to stay safe so you can minimise the risk involved in horse riding and just concentrate on the fun and enjoyment it offers!

by:Sally Robins

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