By: Aprylsnow
Horses are wonderful creatures and we love to be around them, but we must never forget they can be unpredictable. No horse is ever truly “bomb proof”. The strangest things can frighten a horse and release the “flight instinct” causing a horse to bolt unexpectedly. You may be the most experienced rider in the world, but that does not mean you are free from harm. Sometimes accidents happen and horses do tend towards being accident prone and this can result in serious injury or death. Now, I certainly don't want anyone to fear horses, but they do need to be respected and we as horse people can help prevent some scenarios that cause accidents. I also want to remind experienced horse people that they do not want to forget they are riding or caring for an animal that is likely over 1000 lbs. Some incidents become much more serious when other contributing factors are involved, such as tack that is in need of repair and used anyway. Kind of like wearing a seatbelt, if you take time for the extra security check, then the outcome is likely to be better than if you did not bother to have that girth repaired or used the proper bit. A horse's natural instincts play a large role in daily life and when frightened or aggressive they will use their natural instinct to protect themselves or their herd.
Some tips for safety when around or riding horses:
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Always approach the horse from the front, if you approach from behind the horse can be startled and kick. They have amazing strength in the hindquarters and this is one of their natural instincts. If you must approach a horse from behind make your presence known to the horse by talking to it, watch for the horse's ears to turn in your direction, which is a good sign that the horse is now aware of your presence.
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Always respect a stallion. He could be set off by something you as a human will not recognize, so always be alert.
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If you approach a horse from in front, be aware that he knows very well how to use his fore legs as defense.
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Look for signs of a horse that is irritated or annoyed. Look for ears pinned back (against the neck, not to be mistaken for listening to what is going on behind him), switching tail, baring teeth, stomping feet or snaking head. These could all be warning signs before the horse acts out.
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Always approach a strange horse with caution. Remember when you least expect it, it will happen.
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Always wear appropriate riding shoes. Sneakers can slip through the stirrups.
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If tack is in need of repairs be sure to fix it or use other tack that is in good condition.
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Always wear a helmet. No one can predict what a horse may do.
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Always adjust tack to fit you and your horse properly. If anyone says it is ok to use the stirrup leather as a stirrup, DO NOT do this! Your foot can easily get caught in the strap and you can be drug by the horse.
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If you go riding at a stable never lie or exaggerate about your horse experience. You will be placed with a mount closest to your experience level and you will have a much more pleasant ride.
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If a horse is high spirited warm it up in a round pen or on a lounge line.
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If horses start to fight or interact aggressively towards one another get out of their way. They can and will hurt you without realizing you are there.
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Never run or allow a horse to run in the direction of the barn or stable. This will encourage “barn sour”, which again is a very very dangerous habit.
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Never allow your horse to engage in dangerous habits such as biting, kicking or being food aggressive. Always correct the horse immediately during the action, otherwise they will not understand what they have done wrong.
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Remove loose horseshoes as this may cause the horse to trip and perhaps fall. Remove debris from the horse's hooves. If the horse is painful he may not move properly and cause an accident.
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Never ride double, as fun as it seems to be it is an accident waiting to happen.
Although, this is not a complete list it does cover both basic and less often thought of ways to prevent injury. I have included some true stories that have happened due to a lack of awareness or even alertness.
An experienced horse care taker was kicked by a show stallion so severely there was a need for surgery to stop internal bleeding.
Two 10 year old girls riding double on a pony. The back rider started to slide off the pony bareback and pulled the front ride off with her directly under the pony. The front rider sustained a head injury when the pony could not clear the girl and hit her with its hoof.
A barn sour pony was bolting to the barn. With the “runaway stop” technique the horse lost its balance and both the horse and rider fell to the ground. No injuries were reported.
During a training session an uncooperative horse refused to turn and fell to the ground with the rider, another very lucky ending.
Tack failure, girth breaking, caused a rider to fall from the saddle and the horse stepped on the rider, which caused only minor injuries, but lifetime scars.
A feisty and sour pony bit the handler's head while being petted. This injury required a few stitches on the brow.
In a small group of ponies a 6 year old girl was injured when two horses decided to spar. One horse reared and left a hoof print on the girl's back and knocked the wind out of her. The outcome could have been much worse.
An experienced rider's horse became startled and threw her to the ground. She sustained injuries that tore the skin from her head until the skull was exposed. She was rushed to the hospital immediately with internal head injuries.
An inexperienced rider leased a horse at a riding stable. The rider used the stirrup leather as the stirrup, since the stirrups were too long otherwise. The rider fell from the horse and was dragged. This was a very tragic accident and the rider did not survive.
These stories are not intended to invoke fear, but to remind us that our beloved horses can become dangerous when they are frightened or become aggressive. This behavior can occur with the most dependable horses and when we least expect it. Always be alert when you are working around horses. You are helping yourself by following safety tips, even those not included in this article. It is better to be safe than sorry.
