Here's a great video from YouTube about the horses of Iron Springs Farm. These showhorses are amazing and graceful. The background song is called, "Chemicals React" by Aly & AJ. Be sure to watch this!
Problems when Mounting Up
Horses that move around when you are trying to mount are at best irritating, and at worst dangerous. You always want to avoid any situation where your foot is in the stirrup and you have the potential of being dragged. Being able to mount safely is also important should you need to get off your horse while out on the trail. If your horse dances around or backs up when you are mounting, you’ll want to work on some training to make sure that this does not become a problem in the future.
- Have your horse checked for health problems. In particular, horses with sore backs might be trying to avoid a painful situation. Also, make sure that your mounting procedure is safe and comfortable for your horse. Use a mounting block where possible, to take the strain off his back, and when mounting avoid brushing his hip with your legs or dropping your weight into the saddle.
- Work on your ground training. Your horse should be comfortable standing calmly and quietly while you move to different areas of his body. You should be able to stand at his hindquarters, as well as further up the body. Some horses will move around simply because they want to be able to see you.
- Make sure you aren’t accidentally cuing him to move. If you are pulling too hard on the reins or bumping him with your foot as you mount, you may actually be asking him to step forward or back.
- Try having a friend hold your horse while you mount up. Doing this a few times may be enough to help your horse get the message that should be standing still.
Trail Riding Safety During Hunting Season
Riders who board their horses near the city and stay on relatively urban trails probably never have to worry about riding during hunting season. However, if you ride your horse in a shared use area that is open to hunters, you must take measures to ensure that you and your horse are not confused with a hunter’s target. Although it is the hunter’s responsibility to confirm his prey before pulling the trigger, mistakes can happen and every year horses and people are shot by mistake. Here are some tips on keeping you and your horse safe during hunting season.
- If at all possible, avoid areas that are well-known hunting locations. It is best not to take the risk that you or your horse will wind up catching a stray bullet.
- Wear bright colors to help hunters distinguish you from their prey. Fix brightly colored flagging tape to your horse’s saddle and bridle, and be sure to wear a bright cover on your helmet and bright clothing. If you don’t have a brightly colored shirt or jacket, try using flagging tape to make armbands. Bright orange or lime green are probably your best options.
- When your horse moves through the brush, he will make noise in the same fashion as large game. To make sure that hunters don’t mistake the sound of your horse, try a large cowbell attached to the saddle or halter. This will make a very distinctive noise that will carry quite far. If you can’t find a cowbell, take bear bells and either talk or sing loudly.
- Stay on designated trails, as these are unlikely areas for hunters to be active.
- Try riding at midday, as most hunters are out in the early morning or early evening. Also, your bright colors will be at their most effective in the midday sun.
- Avoid heavily forested areas wherever possible.
Remember, not all hunters are law abiding and follow the rules. Even when hunting is not allowed, be prepared for poachers. Any time you ride out in the bush, make sure you and your horse stand out.
How much weight can my horse carry?
An often voiced concern of riders, both novice and experienced, is whether their body size is a good match for their horse. Of particular concern is often whether a rider is too big for their horse, and how heavy a rider the horse can carry. Although our horses are incredibly strong and resilient creatures, it is important to remember that they were not built to carry people on their backs, and thus, we have the responsibility to ensure that we are not risking our horse’s health when we ride.
The general standard for how much weight a horse can carry is approximately twenty percent of its own body weight. Thus a 1000 pound horse should be able to carry about 200 pounds. It is important to keep in mind that this is both rider and tack. A typical Western saddle can weigh upwards of thirty pounds, so tack must be an important consideration. However, Western saddles can also be comfortable for the horse as they spread the weight out over a greater area than an English saddle, which can somewhat mitigate the extra pounds. Some breeds of horses, such as Arabs or Icelandics, are known for being able to carry a heavier load than others. Typically horses with large, strong bones and short backs are able to carry more weight.
It is also important to be aware of what type of rider is on the horse’s back. An inexperienced rider will consistently move outside of the horse’s natural rhythm, constantly throwing him off balance. In this situation, a heavier rider will cause the horse more difficulty. Conversely, a good rider who stays in rhythm with his mount is probably better able to ride a smaller horse.
Finally, keep in mind what type of work that you are doing. Walking and trotting will be easier on your horse than galloping or jumping. If doing more strenuous exercise and competition, it is going to be much more important to be in the right proportion to your horse.
Riding on Heavily Traveled Trails
With more and more people accessing small numbers of recreational areas for such activities as hiking, mountain biking, and horse-back riding, many recreational parks are under heavy use, particularly during summer months. When you are riding on the trails, always be polite to other trail users and adhere to the following trail etiquette:
- Always call out ahead if you are riding up behind a hiker or biker.
- Never canter unless you are on a straight stretch and can see far ahead. Do not canter on narrow, winding trails, as you could startle and even trample a hiker.
- Walk single file when crossing roadways and when passing pedestrians.
- Remember that your horse’s hooves can cause damage to trails. Try to avoid soft trails in wet conditions and don’t run your horse except on trails in good condition. Stay on the trail and don’t wander into the brush.
- When passing pedestrians or cyclists, move your horse to the side and stop to let them pass. Allowing your horse to stand and assess the situation means less risk of him spooking and accidentally running into someone. Also, remember that some people are frightened of horses or simply don’t know how to move around them. Keep your horse off to the side where he won’t startle anyone.
- Keep your interactions with other trail users as polite as possible. If you need to call ahead for someone to leash their dog, or for a biker to slow down, remember that they may simply not be aware of how their actions might affect your horse. Speak to them politely and stay polite, even if they don’t.
- Clean up after your horse wherever possible, and particularly on roadways and driveways.
- Many areas have organizations that work to protect and maintain recreational areas through public awareness, safety campaigns, and trail maintenance work. Consider joining and give back to the trails that you enjoy so well.
Pregnancy and Horseback Riding
For many women horse owners there is not much that can keep them from the barn. But what happens if you find out you are pregnant? Unfortunately there is little other than anecdotal evidence on the relationship between pregnancy and riding, but there are a few basic things to consider. Falling is your biggest risk, as a fall from horseback can easily lead to difficulties in the pregnancy, including miscarriage. Additionally, there is the risk of being kicked, stepped on, or even knocked over when working with horses on the ground. Some women find that as their bodies change so does their center of gravity, making it difficult for them to continue riding as they once did. Others are easily tired or may have bladder control issues that make riding difficult. In addition to physical factors, just the worry alone can make the experience unpleasant. If you do decide to keep riding, make sure you are handling quiet horses that are less likely to spook or pull. Consider changing your activities to include more ground work or even driving. If you have any history of pregnancy loss before 24 weeks or are currently experiencing high risk conditions, it is probably better to play it safe and not ride at all. Most physicians agree that if your body is used to a certain routine, it should be safe to continue that through the pregnancy. Therefore, if you are used to riding your horse three times a week, you can probably continue at this pace, but it wouldn’t be the best time to sign up for a three day event. Continuing to ride through your pregnancy is a difficult decision, and ultimately one that only the expectant mother herself can make, with input from her obstetrician.
Safe Horseback Riding in Extreme Heat
Riding in extreme heat can be at best uncomfortable, and at worst cause serious injury to you and your horse. Before heading out on the trail on a hot summer day, consider the following:
- Is your horse well conditioned? The heat will add increased stress to your horse’s body, so it is important not to ask more of him than he can handle. Keep exercise at a lower level on extremely warm or humid days.
- Try riding in the early morning hours or later in the evening to avoid the hottest part of the day.
- Wherever possible, take trails that provide you and your horse with protection from the sun.
- Wear lightweight and light coloured clothing for optimum cooling. Sunglasses will also make your ride more comfortable.
- Sunscreen! Don’t leave home without it - and be sure to cover all exposed parts, including ears, back of the neck, and your hands. If your horse has light skin and pink patches that are prone to sunburn, be sure to protect him as well. Human products such as zinc oxide are safe for horses or, if you prefer, horse-specific sunscreen can be found at your local tack store.
- If insects are a problem in your area, use a good bug repellent before heading out on the trail. You might want to invest in a product for your own use as well.
- Bring lots of water and be sure to stay hydrated.
- Unless necessary, don’t trailer your horse in extreme heat. If you are trailering in temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, be sure to stop often and provide your horse with lots of water. Try to travel in the early morning hours or in the evening whenever possible.
How to Safely Fall Off a Horse
The more you ride a horse, the more likely you are to fall off. You need to be prepared for when the inevitable strikes. If you follow these rules, you will greatly improve your chances of falling off with no injuries.
How Do I Avoid Falling?
- Keep your skill level in mind; ride a horse you are comfortable with.
- Pay attention to your surroundings so your horse won't get spooked.
- Use a well-fitted saddle and keep your stirrups at a proper length.
- Be in control.
- Keep your girth tightened, so the saddle will stay in place.
How Do I Anticipate a Fall?
- Learn emergency dismounts and stops.
- Wear a helmet.
- Wear safety stirrups cages on your stirrups or boots with a 1" heel.
- Wear a vest specially designed for horse falls.
- Wear gloves.
What Do I Do With the Reigns?
The main thing to keep in mind is safety. If you fall because your horse is upset and bucking, you should let go to avoid injury. If you are in an enclosed area, it is also OK to let go. If you are in the wilderness, hold on to the reigns if at all possible. Above all, trust your instincts!
How Do I Fall?
If at all possible, kick your feet out of the stirrups. If you fall quickly, roll out of the way of your horse and make sure to keep your arms and legs tucked in close to your body.
What Do I Do After a Fall?
Make sure that you are OK, if not get help immediately so that you will not worsen your injury. If you are OK, give yourself a minute to catch your breath and get ready to ride again. Keep in mind why you fell off in the first place to avoid it happening again.
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