Like in every sport or activity, riding a horse has a certain degree of risk, and depending on what you do, the risk may be lower or greater. This is because horses are living beings that can get frightened and show unpredicted behavior that could cause the rider to lose his balance on the saddle or stumble and fall. The fear of riding a horse doubles when you’re riding in the mountains. However, do not be afraid because you can learn how to safely ride a horse in the mountains and master it like every activity that you do every day.
- If you’re going to ride in a group, make sure that you keep a distance of at least a horse’s length. This will help you avoid any accidents if one of the horses kicks. You will also have the chance to save yourself and avoid if someone fell or a horse had an unexpected reaction.
- Remember to wear a safety vest and make sure that it is tight enough. Aside from this, you should always ensure that the saddle seat is placed correctly before your ride the horse.
- Remember to regularly check your horse’s headstalls, reins, saddles, cinches, and halters so that you can make sure that nothing is broken or damaged before you go on a ride.
- If the horse you’re riding gets overexcited or reacts aggressively, remember to dismount yourself and keep your horse calm while you’re down from the ground.
- Remember not to run unless you’re on flat terrain. Make sure that you are trained well enough to make your horse gallop.
- Wear-resistant boots with heels that are at least 2.5cm tall and have anti-slip strips. Along with this, remember to rest your feet properly in the stirrups by placing the ball of your foot on the thread. Try not to put it too far so that you can easily remove your feet if you should fall. Pushing your feet too far can cause them to get caught in the stirrup, thus preventing you from dismounting quickly.
- Practice how to do an emergency dismount. Remember, it is better to handle unexpected situations and tantrums from the ground when riding a horse. That is why learning how to dismount quickly can increase your safety. Along with this, it is also best for you to learn how to do an emergency turn and stop.
- Learn how to fall, even if this will not prevent you from getting hurt. Learning how to fall and roll away can help you avoid any serious injuries.
- Pay attention to your horse and your surroundings. This is probably one of the best strategies in horseback riding. Make sure that you are calm while keeping everything under control. Make sure that you’re paying attention to your horse so that you will be able to handle the situation if it reacts unexpectedly or if he encountered any injury because he got scared of something. If you master this step, you will be able to redirect your horse’s attention to another thing.
- Try not to let your horse gallop on the way back home or back where you started. This is because it can cause your horse to develop bad behavior and create a habit of rushing back.
- Be mindful, especially with children, because they will tend to move closer to your horse while you ride. Teach your kids how to behave appropriately around a horse and avoid any yelling because it can distract and scare the horse.
- Lastly, remember how to stay calm because horses can pick up your emotions, especially when you are around them. This is why it is essential for you to emit calm and kind energies while riding a horse. Staying calm and making sure that your horse understands clear and definitive commands can help you control your horse. If you think that you cannot be relaxed around your horse, you should take slow and deep breaths so that you can keep calm and ride a horse in the mountains. The more you ride a horse, the more confident you will be.