If you are new to the horse community there are some things you will need to learn before going to the barn. Horses are animals so they think, feel, and behave all on their own terms. It is important to know how to act around these animals to ensure your safety. Horses are flight animals which means when they are scared or frightened they are quick to turn around and run in the opposite direction. It is important for us as humans to keep this in mind and act calm around them to make them feel safe.

1. Use a friendly tone of voice- When we are around horses they pick up on our body language and our tone of voice just like small children or dogs do. Horses may not speak our language but they definitely understand us. When we use an aggressive tone of voice the horse might be weary of our actions and start to get nervous. Talk in a calm tone of voice to or around horses. 

2. Pay attention to the horses body language- In my intro I mentioned that horses are flight animals so if you noticed that a horse is getting nervous quickly but calmly grab a more experienced person to help calm the horse. You can tell if a horse is nervous or frightened when they start talking (neighing), moving their feet around (dancing), if they are swaying their head back and forth or they are sweating profusely. If you see any of these signs do not approach the horse because it might lead to the horse acting out in fear

3. Create a calm and positive atmosphere- When we are in a rush we tend to run around. Running around horses can make them nervous because in the wild if part of their herd is running they start to join in and run in the same direction. They are smart and quick to flee the scene. This is why It is important to walk calmly when near them. 

4. Be strong and confident-When we are confident around horses it makes them feel safe and unfearful. Horses are herd animals and we turned them into pets and companions. We became part of their herd so they see you as an equal. If we are fearful or frightened over something the horse may sense your fear and act out. Be confident when you are around them and it will rub off on them. 

5. Always let the horse know where you are- Horses do not have the best line of vision and this is because their eyes are placed on the side of their heads. Horses can not see what is behind them unless they turn their head. When walking up to a horse it is important to use your voice so they can hear where you are coming from. Sneaking up on a horse can be very dangerous and can lead to serious injuries. If you are close up, guide your hand all the way around the horse so they can sense where you are at. If you are new to a horse, never walk directly behind them; their first instinct is to kick with both their back legs.

Before you go to a barn or get near horses make sure you do research on how they communicate and think. It is important to be safe around these animals at all times because they are bigger than us and injure or kill us within seconds. 

If you have any questions about how to be safe around horses or any other questions about riding, send us an email on our contact form and we will help you out

A helmet is required when you are doing any kind of equestrian riding, it is to be worn at all moments when you are riding a horse. When we ride accidents happen which can lead to serious head injury. It is important to have a proper fitting helmet so you can protect the most important organ in your body. Having an improper fitting helmet can cause more damage if there is an incident. Today we will go over how to properly fit a helmet and laws that explain why it is so important.

In your search for a new helmet there are some important things we need to go over before running to the store and purchasing the first one you like. First we need to think about whether you will be wearing your hair in a hair net or will you keep your hair out? If you are going to be wearing the helmet with your hair inside you need to bring a hairnet and a hair tie so you can fit the helmet with your hair inside. When you do not try helmets on without a hair net you will soon discover that your helmet is too small when you go to ride at home with your hair up. When you get to a store see if you can find a sales associate to assist you in your trial. If you can not find one please follow these steps.

1. Use a fabric tape measure and wrap it around your head one inch above your eyebrows. Your measurement in centimeters will correspond with your helmet size. You may use the brand's website sizing chart to find your perfect size.

2. Some helmets will have a dial in the back that makes the helmet somewhat adjustable. If you pick one of these helmets, move the dial to a comfortable setting.

3. Once you place the helmet on your head, wobble your head in all directions to see if the helmet moves or it's uncomfortable in any way. You might need to go up or down in size. The brim of the helmet should be about an inch above your eyebrow. 

4. If it doesn't wobble visible but feels a little loose you might be able to add some padding or you can try a new brand. Each brand is slightly different so take your time. 

There are important laws and regulations that helmets need to go through before being sold. You need to make sure that your helmet is approved by the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) and the Safety Equipment Institute (SEI). This ensures that the helmet is safe to be used as an equestrian helmet. To find the specific laws that are in your state you may go to the website listed below. 

https://www.troxelhelmets.com/blogs/troxel/76915011-laws-involving-equestrian-safety-helmets#:~:text=It%20states%20that%20those%20under,rider%20is%20controlling%20the%20horse.

If you have any questions about how to properly fit a helmet or any other questions about riding, send us an email on our contact form and we will help you out.