This past weekend I
participatied in the Equine Wellness Clinic held at the Greene County Fair
Grounds in Waynesburg, PA. My part of the clinic was to do a presentation on
Trail Safety. As with everything we do in life we become complacent about our
surroundings and on the back of a horse is no place to let your gaurd
down.
Trail safety starts long before saddling up and hitting the trail. Plan, prepare and prevent... Not all accidents can be prevented, but being prepared for an accident can be the difference in life and death.
When preparing to ride, even if it close to home, some of the things you need to consider are: Who, What, Where and When.
Who are you riding with? Are you riding alone, with a friend or a group?
What suppplies do you need? determined by the other three factors.
Where are these trails? What kind of access do these trails have, where is the trail head located?
When do you plan on returning? How long are you planning to ride - an hour, two all day, several days or an adventure ride.
No matter if you ride alone or with a group, someone back at home or camp needs to have an idea of where you are and how long you are planning on being gone. Leave a map of the trails, if available, and a cell phone number. Your cell phone should be on your body at all times - if you get seperated from your horse and your phone is in the saddle bag it does you no good.
Basic supplies that every rider needs on body are your cell phone, a whistle, water, an energy bar, waterproof matches, glow stick, days worth of medications, a multi tool, hoof pick and a small first aid kit. All this fits easily in a fanny pack.
Leaving trail, trail head info also makes coming to your rescue easier. I learned this the hard way. If these are state or Federal trails leave a phone number for the forest rangers.
Those at home need to know a time for your return. If you plan on being gone 2 hours and after four you haven't returned they can begin to take appropriate steps for your return.
If riding on State or Federal property go online and check trail conditions and possible closings. Check weatehr conditions and dress appropriatley.
Wear your helmet and proper boots or safety stirrups. Safety vest if riding near or on roadways, multi-use trails or other trails where you may encounter bikers or recreational vehicles.
Pre ride prep doesn't stop with the rider - your horse and equipment need to be in proper condition. Broken reins in the arena can be problem, but broken reins on the trail can be disasterous. Your horse should be calm and traffic safe. Find out before heading out on trail. Ride in a pasture along a road. Invite a dirt bike or ATV driver to ride up and down your driveway. Your horse should be reasonably well schooled and obeidient. If you plan on dismounting for a while you need to take along a lead and halter (never tie with the reins). Check with the area you are riding if it is a weed free area special precasutions must be made ie. cleaning feet at home, not using hay or straw for bedding in the trailer or feeding hay in that area. This could result in major fines for violators.
If you have the technology use it. Cell phones and GPS are handy to have in an emergency. Thick tree foliage might interfere with reception, so a hilltop or open field might have to be found. Of course an old-fashioned map and compass might help too.
Solo Riding – probably the most dangerous & takes more planning to be safe.
Buddy Riding – safer, but could you leave your friend to get help if they were hurt?
Group Riding – many ways to delegate help
Plan for the Best – Expect the Worst – And be Prepared to be Surprised!!
•Know Trail Etiquette
– Be prepared for those who don't .em
–Hand signals for horseback riders are the same as for cyclists. Use them to signal riders at the back of the pack and along roads.
–Hikers yield to bikers, bikers and hikers to horses.
–Warn riders behind you of low branches, stumps, holes or other hazards.
–Be polite to everyone you encounter, this builds great public relations and helps keep multi-use trails available for all.
Ride with awareness. Know where problems might occur—such as a water crossing, passing by a kennel or an unusually painted fence or mailbox.
Keep two horse distances apart to avoid kicking.
Go the speed of the greenest horse or the most inexperienced rider.
Riders come in all shapes, sizes and most of all riding levels/experiences on trail rides.
When planning your ride you need to consider riding experience to dictate your speed, the trails and duration of the ride.
You don’t want to take an inexperienced rider down a busy roadway or out for a 20 mile ride on tricky trails.
Your pace should be that of the least experienced rider.
Talk on the trail – this is a great time to gain experience and teach young riders.
Mark your horse with a ribbon if:
–It is a kicker (red)
–If it is a green horse (green)
–If it is a stallion (yellow)
Horses with special needs should be placed in the line where it will be the safest for all.
–A kicker would be better at the end of the group
–A young horse might need to be placed with a seasoned horse
–A stallion (if trained properly) can be ridden anywhere – mares may react to him so that could be an issue of the rider of the mare. Some trails/organized rides do not allow stallions for liability reasons. Call before you haul.
Let;s discuss navigation. All trail riders should have basic knowledge of how to use a topographic map and compass. No matter where you are on earth a compass always points towards the North Pole. A compass can be so much more reliable than some GPS units especially in heavy cover or cloud cover.
GPS unitsewhether you're geocaching, hiking, rafting or navigating an urban jungle, a handheld GPS device can be a lot of fun and an important safety tool. Personal satallite locators are also a very useful device for trail riders. These units bounce off satalites and are more reliable than cell phones. These are more expensive and require a yearly subscription, but one use and it is more than paid for. They have three levels of checking in - one button sends and email back to your contacts that you are fine, the second summons help - but not an emergency and the third goes directly to the nearest 9-1-1 center and atomatically summons emergency crews to your location. Air Evac membership - a riding accident on the trail can be expensive in many ways. Having a membership to a recue helicopter can save you thousands of dollars.
What do I need in my first aid kit??
Day riding ---
Band-Aids
Bandana
Bottled water
Cell Phone
Duct tape
Electrolytes
Garbage bags
Glow stickGPS/maps/compass
Hoof boots(s)
Hoof pick
Insect repellent
Iodine/peroxide
Latex gloves
Matches/waterproof
Medications
Multi tool/knife
Sponge
Sting kill swabs
Sun block/lip balm
Tape
TP/Tissues
Trail Mix/snacks
Vet wrap
Whistle
Wound Dust Powder
Zip ties
Multiple day ride away from home add these items to the list above:
Epi-pen
Emergency blanket
Flash light
Non-stick 4x4's, sanitary napkins or small diapers
Pepper spray
Safety pinsWaterless hand cleaner
For the trailer or barn a more extensive first aid kit can be established to cover a multitude of injuries and may consist of the following items ---
I hope this information has been helpful and always remember it is better to over pan than under plan!
Trail safety starts long before saddling up and hitting the trail. Plan, prepare and prevent... Not all accidents can be prevented, but being prepared for an accident can be the difference in life and death.
When preparing to ride, even if it close to home, some of the things you need to consider are: Who, What, Where and When.
Who are you riding with? Are you riding alone, with a friend or a group?
What suppplies do you need? determined by the other three factors.
Where are these trails? What kind of access do these trails have, where is the trail head located?
When do you plan on returning? How long are you planning to ride - an hour, two all day, several days or an adventure ride.
No matter if you ride alone or with a group, someone back at home or camp needs to have an idea of where you are and how long you are planning on being gone. Leave a map of the trails, if available, and a cell phone number. Your cell phone should be on your body at all times - if you get seperated from your horse and your phone is in the saddle bag it does you no good.
Basic supplies that every rider needs on body are your cell phone, a whistle, water, an energy bar, waterproof matches, glow stick, days worth of medications, a multi tool, hoof pick and a small first aid kit. All this fits easily in a fanny pack.
Leaving trail, trail head info also makes coming to your rescue easier. I learned this the hard way. If these are state or Federal trails leave a phone number for the forest rangers.
Those at home need to know a time for your return. If you plan on being gone 2 hours and after four you haven't returned they can begin to take appropriate steps for your return.
If riding on State or Federal property go online and check trail conditions and possible closings. Check weatehr conditions and dress appropriatley.
Wear your helmet and proper boots or safety stirrups. Safety vest if riding near or on roadways, multi-use trails or other trails where you may encounter bikers or recreational vehicles.
Pre ride prep doesn't stop with the rider - your horse and equipment need to be in proper condition. Broken reins in the arena can be problem, but broken reins on the trail can be disasterous. Your horse should be calm and traffic safe. Find out before heading out on trail. Ride in a pasture along a road. Invite a dirt bike or ATV driver to ride up and down your driveway. Your horse should be reasonably well schooled and obeidient. If you plan on dismounting for a while you need to take along a lead and halter (never tie with the reins). Check with the area you are riding if it is a weed free area special precasutions must be made ie. cleaning feet at home, not using hay or straw for bedding in the trailer or feeding hay in that area. This could result in major fines for violators.
If you have the technology use it. Cell phones and GPS are handy to have in an emergency. Thick tree foliage might interfere with reception, so a hilltop or open field might have to be found. Of course an old-fashioned map and compass might help too.
Solo Riding – probably the most dangerous & takes more planning to be safe.
Buddy Riding – safer, but could you leave your friend to get help if they were hurt?
Group Riding – many ways to delegate help
Plan for the Best – Expect the Worst – And be Prepared to be Surprised!!
•Know Trail Etiquette
– Be prepared for those who don't .em
–Hand signals for horseback riders are the same as for cyclists. Use them to signal riders at the back of the pack and along roads.
–Hikers yield to bikers, bikers and hikers to horses.
–Warn riders behind you of low branches, stumps, holes or other hazards.
–Be polite to everyone you encounter, this builds great public relations and helps keep multi-use trails available for all.
Ride with awareness. Know where problems might occur—such as a water crossing, passing by a kennel or an unusually painted fence or mailbox.
Keep two horse distances apart to avoid kicking.
Go the speed of the greenest horse or the most inexperienced rider.
Riders come in all shapes, sizes and most of all riding levels/experiences on trail rides.
When planning your ride you need to consider riding experience to dictate your speed, the trails and duration of the ride.
You don’t want to take an inexperienced rider down a busy roadway or out for a 20 mile ride on tricky trails.
Your pace should be that of the least experienced rider.
Talk on the trail – this is a great time to gain experience and teach young riders.
Mark your horse with a ribbon if:
–It is a kicker (red)
–If it is a green horse (green)
–If it is a stallion (yellow)
Horses with special needs should be placed in the line where it will be the safest for all.
–A kicker would be better at the end of the group
–A young horse might need to be placed with a seasoned horse
–A stallion (if trained properly) can be ridden anywhere – mares may react to him so that could be an issue of the rider of the mare. Some trails/organized rides do not allow stallions for liability reasons. Call before you haul.
Let;s discuss navigation. All trail riders should have basic knowledge of how to use a topographic map and compass. No matter where you are on earth a compass always points towards the North Pole. A compass can be so much more reliable than some GPS units especially in heavy cover or cloud cover.
GPS unitsewhether you're geocaching, hiking, rafting or navigating an urban jungle, a handheld GPS device can be a lot of fun and an important safety tool. Personal satallite locators are also a very useful device for trail riders. These units bounce off satalites and are more reliable than cell phones. These are more expensive and require a yearly subscription, but one use and it is more than paid for. They have three levels of checking in - one button sends and email back to your contacts that you are fine, the second summons help - but not an emergency and the third goes directly to the nearest 9-1-1 center and atomatically summons emergency crews to your location. Air Evac membership - a riding accident on the trail can be expensive in many ways. Having a membership to a recue helicopter can save you thousands of dollars.
What do I need in my first aid kit??
Day riding ---
1 gallon
Freezer bags
Aspirin/Tylenol Band-Aids
Bandana
Bottled water
Cell Phone
Duct tape
Electrolytes
Garbage bags
Glow stickGPS/maps/compass
Hoof boots(s)
Hoof pick
Insect repellent
Iodine/peroxide
Latex gloves
Matches/waterproof
Medications
Multi tool/knife
Sponge
Sting kill swabs
Sun block/lip balm
Tape
TP/Tissues
Trail Mix/snacks
Vet wrap
Whistle
Wound Dust Powder
Zip ties
Multiple day ride away from home add these items to the list above:
Epi-pen
Emergency blanket
Flash light
Non-stick 4x4's, sanitary napkins or small diapers
Pepper spray
Safety pinsWaterless hand cleaner
For the trailer or barn a more extensive first aid kit can be established to cover a multitude of injuries and may consist of the following items ---
| Items |
| 1 gallon Freezer bags |
| 6" PVC Tubing cut in 1/2 |
| ACE bandage |
| Anticeptic |
| Antibiotic spray |
| Asprin/Tylenol |
| Band-aids |
| Bandana |
| Bottled water |
| Bute/Banamine |
| Cell Phone |
| Chicago screws |
| Cold packs |
| Cotton wrap |
| Duct tape |
| Electrolytes |
| Emergency Blanket |
| Epi-pen |
| Extra lead rope/reins |
| Farrier tools/pliers |
| Flash light/batteries |
| Gald ointment |
| Garbage bags |
| Glow stick |
| GPS/maps/compass |
| Guaze wrap |
| Hemostats |
| Hoof boots |
| Hoof pick |
| Horse blanket/sheet |
| Insect replellent |
| Topical numbing solution |
| Iodine/peroxide |
| Latex gloves |
| Leather lacing |
| Leather punch |
| Leg wraps |
| Matches/waterproof |
| Medications |
| Multi tool/knife |
| Non-stick 4x4 |
| Opthalmic ointment |
| Pepper spray |
| Permanent Marker |
| Petroleum jelly |
| Reflective tape |
| Safety pins |
| Saline Solution |
| Sanitary napkins |
| Saran wrap |
| Satallite locator |
| Scissors |
| Snake bite kit |
| Sponge |
| Stethoscope |
| Sting kill swabs |
| Sun block/lip balm |
| Super glue |
| Synthetic/Leather laces |
| Tape |
| Thermometer |
| TP/Tissues |
| Trail Mix/snacks |
| Tweezers |
| Sutures or Staples |
| Vet wrap |
| Waterless handcleaner |
| Whistle |
| Wound Powder |
| Wound Stapler |
| Zip Lock bags/var. sizes |
I hope this information has been helpful and always remember it is better to over pan than under plan!
•
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