Kids and Horses

by Gina Marie Hery

Equine Enthusiast and Products Consultant

Not everyone feels safe walking right up to a horse for the first time and sometimes they can be intimidating, especially if you are not accustomed to handling them.  Horses vary in sizes and temperament, according to breed, age, training and their social environment.  With all of these factors, it may take some time before you have found that beloved horse that you are comfortable with.  Be patient and observant before you decide that it is safe to let down your guard.  Horses will pick up on your confidence level and will relate to you based on their intuitive judgment of your abilities.  Children are vulnerable when they are not experienced and should always be offered the safest environment and proper preparations, so they can enjoy their experiences with horses.

Tools you will need:

1.    A list of ranch safety rules:  All horse owners, horse trainers and ranch managers have some guidelines to follow when you are a guest at their facility. If the horses and/or the facility are your own, be sure that children know your rules and post your expectations of visitors where they will be read more than once.  It is helpful for riders to be aware of any guidelines, so that each person can be safe around the horses and a courteous guest at the ranch.  A review of this information during their lesson can also save the new student from unnecessary embarrassments or dangerous mistakes, either one would hinder the learner’s absorption process and success.

2.    Helmet:  Be sure to shop for a helmet that is SEI certified.  With so many styles to choose from, there are a few important things to keep in mind.  Especially the fitting and comfort, so if you are shopping on-line, measure the rider’s head before purchasing.  It is also a good idea to try some on at your local feed store if one is available in your area.  Do not accept “hand-downs” since it may have sustained some damage and is vital that the helmet used is in excellent condition, for optimum protection.  A fall from a horse can often be with the feet leaving the sides of the horse last, therefore leaving the head the initial striking point for landing on the ground.  Working with horses is often an unpredictable experience and safety first is the best practice.  All of my students must put their helmet on with their boots and wear it before even touching the horses.

3.    Gloves:  Each horse handler needs well fitting and flexible hand protection.  There are many useful styles and sizes with grip material in the palms and along the grip of the fingers, waterproof materials and great synthetic options.  Your gloves on the ranch are just as important as socks in your boots.  Even though some people consider their hands to be quite strong, it is still a good idea to get used to wearing gloves.  A good fitting glove can save your young person's hands of a possible rope burn, which could take weeks to heal the skin and much more time to overcome the fear of that type of injury.  Not to mention the dangerous outcome of losing control of a horse, due to the lack of necessary handling equipment.  Gloves are also an essential tool when pitching in with the many chores required by all horse enthusiasts while you are on the ranch. 

4.    Riding boots:  Steel-toe (or comparable protection) with ankle-support boots or shoes with a short heel.  Most horses will not ‘try’ to step on your toes and the horse that your coach would select for a young person usually has a docile temperament and good ground manners.  An accidentally placed hoof on your toes though, can have lasting effects!  The horse doesn't usually feel that it is standing on you and may not move off quickly, or even need a little help to consider moving his hoof.  The proper way to remove the hoof from the top of your foot is to move the horse – never try to pull your foot out from under a well placed hoof!  Your feet deserve good protection from the dirt, manure, weather, water - you name it!  Tall socks are also a must have if you have chosen to wear tall boots, the rubbing on the inside of the calves while riding, can cause great discomfort and sores.  The short heal is a necessary feature of the proper footwear, since it will help the rider keep their foot in place in the stirrup and provide extra safety, by not allowing your foot to go through the stirrup and get caught.  Your trainer will remind you to keep your heels down, which takes practice.  A foot sliding past the arch is a dangerous foot position in the stirrup and can cause the rider added discomfort and poor riding habits, so make sure you wear your heels to ride!

5.    Appropriate riding attire, such as breeches and a long-sleeve shirt should be discussed with your trainer and coordinate with the riding style that you have chosen.  There are different requirements for each style of riding according to the standards set forth for competition.  Even if your goal is not to compete, you will find that the attire selection for your discipline can often provide more comfort, simplicity and safety features; just as in any sportswear.

Alright!  Let’s ride!

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