Safety is the watch word at Clyn Du. The strictest rules apply on the yard and complacency is the enemy! Familiarity is never allowed to breed contempt and woe-betide anyone cutting corners on Bobby's yard!
It all makes sense, of course. most accidents with horses occur on the ground or in the stable and usually as a result of sheer carelessness.
Crushed toes are probably top of the hit list and sturdy footwear is insisted upon at the centre. Trainers are banned, both for their flimsiness and the tendency for the tongue to slip behind the stirrup - a dangerous situation if the rider falls off the horse!
How Safe Are You?
Horse riding is a high risk sport, on a par with motor racing in terms of accident expectancy. But many of the accidents which happen are avoidable. Read this page to see how you can enjoy relatively safe riding.
Be Alert!
Rule number one must be to keep your wits about you around horses. They are unpredictable animals - and this applies to the most bomb proof of horses. Never take anything for granted. Take all the safety precautions on and around horses to eliminate unnecessary accidents.
Golden Rules
Respect your horse. The smallest of ponies is stronger than the strongest human being and can, if circumstances dictate, over-power you easily. Riding is a confidence trick- horses accept without question our superior strength - but we should know better than to abuse that trust!
Wear Sensible Clothing.
When moving around horses you should always be appropriatley dressed. Sturdy shoes -with steel toecaps if your horse is skittish - are a must and coats should not be flapping; flapping coats can send a horse into a panic. Umbrellas are a no-no around horses and all people who come into contact with horses would do well to look at things through the eyes of the horse: anything unusual is bound to attract attention and will usually evoke fear. Bobby encourages people to wear hats when entering stables or pony ties. If this sounds over-fussy, just imagine what can happen if a person is squished against a wall? Yes, a hat sounds like a good idea after all!Tie Your Horse.
When you are grooming or attending to your horse, have him properly tied up. This means that he should be wearing a head collar and lead rope which should be attached to a piece of baler twine which in turn is attached to a fixed point in the stable. This allows you to move away from him if he reacts violently to something - and even the mildest horses have their moments. A tied horse cannot walk away from you as you try to pick out his feet etc.Keep on the Right Side of Your Horse!
No, this does not mean you should pander to his every whim! When you lead your horse from the ground, walk on his right side, at his shoulder, with your hand holding the reins or lead rope under his chin. Don't walk ahead of him as he could run into you or tread on your heels - ouch! At his side, you are in a position to chivvy him along with a gentle tug on the riens or lead rope and you can turn him quickly and easily from danger - anticipated or unexpected.Mounting.
When mounting your horse, there are several things that should be instinctive to you. The first is: check the girth. Whether you mount from the ground or from a block, a loose girth will spell disaster in no time if left unattended. It is also very uncomfortable for a horse if his saddle moves around - it will cause galling and sores.Whether mounting from a block or the ground, you should mount from the right side of the horse. There is no particular logic behind this other than it encourages consistency.
When ready to mount, insist your horse stands still. Do NOT mount a moving horse. If your horse will not stand still, you must get someone to hold him steady or else be prepared to wait until he gets the message. A horse that moves off when you have one foot in the stirrup is challenging you and it is a battle you must win. Be prepared to be patient.
Mount a horse from the ground by gathering up the reins into your left hand, along with your crop, facing your horse and placing your left foot in the stirrup. bounce gently on your right foot, giving yourself leverage to spring onto his back. Make sure your right leg does not catch his rear end as you swing it over - a sensitive horse will canter off at this provokation - and recheck your girth as soon as you are on board. Once you have sorted your stirrup length out, you are ready to move off.
Keep Your Distance!
Respect a horse's personal space, both on the ground and mounted. Never walk immediately behind or in front of a horse without warning him - you are entering his blind spots and if he does not know you are there he may well take fright and react accordingly.Never ride your horse too close to the horse in front - horses' hind legs have a good range and a well aimed kick could seriously injure your horse, or even you. As a general rule, leave at least a horse's length between you and the horse in front.
Don't get in your horse's face! If you stand immediately in front of a horse you are begging to be butted in the face. Horses nod their heads rather vigorously and anything in the way will be smashed! Horses are hard-headed animals!
Never walk behind a horse, either, unless he is tied and is aware of your presence.
Keep Your Valuables Safe!
Make sure your riding hat is up to the latest safety standards, and if you have had a knock on it, replace it. Hats come and go and as expensive as they may be, they can be replaced - unlike your brain!No Jewellery!
Jewellery is banned at Clyn Du. At best, items of jewellery can be lost or broken. At worst, they can find their way into your horse's feed or can seriously hurt the rider. Earrings have been rammed into jaws and the most inoffensive looking jewellery is a potential hazzard. Leave it at home!Saftey on the Roads
Most riders - especially horse owners - have to resort to road work with their horses. The image of riders galloping along deserted beaches or through leafy woodlands is romantic but, alas, not reality for most riders. So, taking to the highways is essential and horses and riders face greater risks than other road users.
There are things that riders can do to maximise on safety, though, and if these simple rules are followed then the risk of accidents should be reduced:
Be Safe!
No rider should mount a horse in any situation without a hat on and this is particularly important when riding on roads. The chances of your horse bolting or shying are far greater when they are surrounded by perceived hazards and roads are hard surfaces to fall on! Be sure to wear a hat that complies with the latest standards and make sure it is sound - a hard knock can render it useless.Be Seen!
Wherever you are riding, it is always a good idea to wear bright clothing so that cars can see you and your horse. Reflective clothing is particularly good and flourescent gear is now available for horses - very effective. If you are at risk of being caught in fog or between lights, reflective clothing is essential.Know Your Highway Code!
Car drivers come under fire from riders; many race along country lanes and some fail to slow down when they see horses. However, how many times have you seen riders meandering in the middle of the road, chatting away to a fellow rider or pedestrian, using a moble phone or having a good puff on a cigarette? The message is that before riders can expect other road users to drive with consideration, they should consider how they ride. Make sure you ride calmly, slowing to a walk when a vehicle approaches. Hand signals should always be used and while it is not a good idea to call cars on when they cannot see ahead, you must slow or stop them if you see or hear another vehicle approaching in the opposite direction. Always expect the unexpected. Horses interpret the world differently to us. A paper bag in a hedge is far more threatening than an oil tanker to the average horse! Keep your "leg on" and be ready for anything - without being tense.Avoid riding at times when you know the road will be busy - such as the time a factory ends a shift or school's out! You have every right to be on the road but do you want to negotiate tens of vehicles on your hack out?
Be Polite!
Last but not least, be polite. Nothing annoys a driver more than having a considerate gesture ignored. If a vehicle has slowed down for you, acknowledge the fact.