Horse riding is an enjoyable activity that people of all ages engage in, and it has numerous benefits, allowing you to exercise while also spending time outdoors and bonding with animals. As pleasant as it is to ride a horse, it’s important to know that it also poses risks. In fact, horse riding can be more dangerous than other sports like skiing, football, or rugby – even than riding a motorcycle.
If riders fall from a horse, they could experience severe injuries, and in some cases, horse riding accidents can be life-threatening. While getting horse-riding insurance is always a good idea, learning the most common causes of horse-riding accidents is essential so you can know how to prevent them.
Horse riding can be dangerous due to a horse’s speed, strength, height, and unpredictability. Unfortunately, it’s common for accidents to happen at a riding school if you are matched with a horse that doesn’t match your riding skill level.
If you’re a beginner, it’s particularly important to learn how to ride by having an experienced coach by your side and ensuring that the horse you ride is calm and well-mannered, as this will guarantee your safety during the activity. You can find out what type of horse is suitable for you by checking the most popular breeds for riding.
When it comes to any sporting activity, faulty equipment can lead to injury, so when horse riding, ensure that you check bridles, saddles, reins, and girth before you head out. If you need more clarity about what you should check, consider talking to someone who’s more experienced than you and asking them to help you go through all the equipment safety checks.
When it comes to the equipment for horse riding, it’s essential to wear the right clothing, which involves a helmet that meets the standards in place, safety stirrups that reduce the risk of your foot getting jammed, sturdy boots that ensure your foot won’t slip through the stirrup, a body protector that will keep your torso safe if you fall, and gloves that will offer extra grip and strength and protect your hands, to name a few. While equestrian centres usually provide adequate riding equipment, remember that it’s okay to ask if you aren’t sure about it.
As you probably know, you can claim compensation if you get injured in a car accident due to another driver’s negligence. As Public Interest Lawyers state, all drivers on the road have a duty of care to one another, and if they neglect it, they need to suffer the legal consequences. However, you may also be eligible for compensation if you are involved in a road traffic accident while riding your horse.
Believe it or not, one of the most common causes of horse-riding injuries is road traffic hazards. According to the British Horse Society, in the last decade, more than 315 horses and 43 people have died on UK roads, which is why it’s essential to get your horse used to traffic and take preventive measures to ensure you won’t become a victim of a car accident that could threaten both your life and your horse’s. Make sure to wear reflective and fluorescent clothing while on the road, no matter the conditions, as well as a helmet, and stay alert to all traffic forms. Also, remember to give decisive and clear signals, which will help your horse know what to do while on the road.
Poor road surfaces can cause a horse to stumble and lead to accidents, especially if they are extremely slippery. It’s essential to check a surface -especially if you’re not familiar with it – before taking your horse for a ride because this will help you prevent potential injuries.
Road chippings can often erode, and when this happens, the bitumen can rise to the surface, causing the road to be very slippery underfoot. Newly laid surfaces could also pose issues if they aren’t adequately treated.
Participating in horse riding events can lead to accidents due to the increased crowds and the challenges that riders and horses face. According to a Cambridge University study on hospital admissions due to horse riding, there was only one injury out of 1,000 for 100 hours of leisure riding and one injury for one hour of cross-country riding. Now, it’s not completely possible to avoid injuries, but it can be really valuable to learn how to fall off a horse in a safe manner. This involves freeing yourself from the horse by letting go of the reins, tucking your chin and knees toward your chest, and rolling away from the horse.
If you participate in a horse-riding competition, it’s essential to choose a horse that fits your skill level, ensure that you have a proper position in the saddle, wear gloves, a helmet, and boots, and have regular training from an expert to ensure that your training and confidence are up to scratch.
As you can see, there are many reasons why horse-riding accidents happen, and many times, it’s not possible to predict them. However, taking preventive measures and putting your safety first is still important. To this end, you need to remember to ride attentively and read your horse’s body language so you can respond to it effectively by keeping them calm or distracting them when needed. It’s essential to overestimate your ability to ride the horse because if you try to advance before you’re prepared, you risk having less control over them and, thus, not being able to guide them well anymore.
You will keep yourself and your horse safe if you are always aware of your surroundings and avoid areas that you know are hazardous, such as livestock or traffic. Finally, remember to be patient with your horse and never force them to do something they don’t want to do because this could have negative consequences.
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