Preventing Injuries On And Around Horses: Two Must-Have Protective Gear For Every Rider

There are many benefits from riding horses. It's therapeutic and physically challenging. Horse riding teaches trust, patience, and forgiveness. However, it's also dangerous. Trained horses are large animals that are able to tune in to their riders, but they do also have minds of their own. Sometimes, a horse's instincts as prey animals cause them to have fight-or-flight, which can result in dangerous situations that could send riders to the nearest emergency room. Fortunately, protective gear can help equine enthusiasts from injury. Here are two must-haves for every horse rider. 

Riding Helmet 

Whether you are braving a whole new world of horse riding or have been enjoying it for some time, wearing a helmet properly is crucial. According to statistics, head injuries account for 60% of deaths and 18% of injuries for those involved in equine activities, whether on the ground or mounted on a horse. Even so, only 20% of horse riders wear helmets every time they mount and ride a horse. There are various reasons why people choose not to wear riding helmets but no reason is good enough given the statistics of head injuries. 

When riding, always wear a helmet designed specifically for horse riding and is SEI certified and meets the requirements of the ASTM. These specifications will be listed on the packaging information and the inside tag of riding helmets. The helmet should fit snug all the way around the head with no gaps or spaces between the padding and the head. Because of this, it is important to avoid gathering long hair into a ponytail that would sit inside the helmet. 

Riding Boots 

When working with horses on the ground, there's always a chance of having your feet get stepped on by a horse. This is just one of several reasons to wear a good, sturdy pair of boots specifically designed for equine-related activities. Riding boots are also designed with a small heal, which helps keep your feet in stirrups when riding as the heals prevent your feet from sliding forward through the stirrups. 

Two other aspects of riding boots also help protect riders from injuries: sleekness and ankle support. The boots should be narrow so they don't get stuck in stirrups in case you need to dismount quickly. Ankle support will help prevent your ankles from turning in or out while riding giving your horse the wrong signals, which could easily cause the horse to suddenly change direction, stop, or speed up. To learn more, contact a company like EQU Lifestyle Boutique.