There’s now an abundance of evidence indicating that horse riding has physical, mental, and social benefits, to say nothing of the fact that it can put a smile on your face. Just half an hour of horse-related activity is classified as moderate activity, and it can positively impact your overall well-being (not just physical health), which is defined as a physical, social, and mental state – not just the absence of pain, discomfort, and incapacity. Riders tend to be more cheerful, relaxed, and happy, feeling confidence in the process than in the outcome. They control the animal with their voice and body aids.
Riding is an excellent way to enjoy the outdoors and bond with animals, but there are some risks involved, just to be clear. Equestrian activities have one of the highest risks of serious injury (and death) compared to other sports, and most injuries occur while riding. To be more precise, you can be gravely injured if you fall off the horse. Accidents happen to anyone, regardless of skill level, so focus on continually improving yourself in terms of balance, patience, and security. Some of the most common horse-riding injuries are head injuries, broken bones, and bruises. Tempting as it may be to bubble wrap yourself, there are other ways to reduce the risk of injury, such as:
Selecting The Right Horse, Which Can Take Time And Is Difficult
You need a horse that matches your age, skill, experience, and size and, above all, is suitable for the specific riding task at hand. You can adopt a horse through a reputable rescue to dismantle the stigma and become an ambassador for the unwanted animals of the world. Adoption partners are transparent about the horse’s personality, medical history, and training to ensure that you and the animal are perfect for one another. You can ask for a trial to see if the horse is a good fit as far as temperament and training are concerned. As with many situations in life, emotions are the enemy of good decision-making, so your feelings shouldn’t be decisive in what you do.
You can reach out to an experienced rider to help you in the process. It’s a worthwhile investment. Qualified and reputable instructors, trainers, breeders, veterinarians, and other professionals are excellent sources of help. Before getting a horse, decide on a suitable place to keep it, which could be a stall, an outdoor pen, a pasture, or a dry lot. Some boarding facilities make available amenities like exercise, turnout time, and so on, yet they can increase costs and must be included in your budget. If you’re a novice rider, the last thing you need is a highly-spirited horse. Look for a calm horse with considerable experience and patience.
Wear A Helmet To Prevent Head-Related Injuries And Severe Head Injuries
As mentioned earlier, most injuries occur during riding, and the most common reasons why riders end up in the hospital are head injuries, mostly soft tissue injuries, and concussions. Wearing a protective helmet helps absorb the impact and disperse the force, which reduces the severity of the damage to the skull and brain. Death isn’t the only serious outcome of unprotected head injuries. Those who miraculously survive struggle with epilepsy, intellectual and memory impairment, and personality changes. The helmet should be worn at all times when you’re mounted. It should be immediately replaced if it has signs of damage or has been involved in a serious accident.
Before Riding The Horse, Establish A Friendly Rapport With The Animal
You should always handle the horse with care and respect, which means that you shouldn’t enter the horse’s personal space unless you’re invited inside. Use clear and consistent body language to communicate with the horse, lead with purpose, and desensitize your horse to common fears like scary and unfamiliar objects. Some horses are one-sided, which translates into the fact that they can be trained, approached, caught, saddled, and mounted from one side. It would be a mistake to assume that you can work equally well with both sides of the horse. When catching a horse, approach from his left shoulder.
A riding centre may be responsible for an accident through negligence if you sustain an injury from a difficult or unpredictable horse. For further details, please visit https://www.personalinjuryclaimsuk.org.uk/. Many are under the pressure of a training window, that is, an agreed-upon period of time to implement a specific set of skills with a horse, but most animals, especially young ones, aren’t prepared or ready for the highly pressurised training regime. Only a lucky few excel.
Consult Your Doctor For Advice About Medical Conditions
Millions of people in the UK live with a chronic condition, in other words, a health condition that’s persistent or otherwise long-lasting. The most common chronic conditions for men and women are high blood pressure, allergy, chronic pain, and anxiety/depression. Chronic conditions affect people differently, but they have one thing in common: they can’t be seen by the naked eye, which means a huge number of people are sick and just walking around with it. The good news is that it’s possible to get to a point where you’re unimpeded by your disability.
By talking to your doctor, they can advise you on what may or may not be best, depending on your physical ability. Your number one priority must be your own safety (and the safety of the horse), so don’t compare yourself to anyone else, just focus on what you do better than other riders. When struggling with chronic illness, it’s vital to set goals, so have one big objective you’re working towards, which can be unrealistic but not too far out there. Examples include winning a championship or breeding your name.
The Takeaway
All in all, a fall from the horse is the most common injury mechanism as opposed to being kicked or injured while handling the animal on the ground. Compared to popular pastimes like football or basketball, the injury rate is quite low. With adequate precautions and awareness of risk, riding can be enjoyable.