Top 10 Reasons To Wear a Helmet
1. Safety helmets are 80 percent effective in preventing injury and death.
2. Even a mild concussion can be a life-changing experience.
3. There is no statistical correlation between skill level and injury likelihood.
4. Even a fall from a standing horse can be catastrophic. Your injury risk depends on the height from which you fall, not the speed at which you’re traveling.
5. The bulk of equestrian injuries occur in pleasure riders.
6. The walk is the most common gait at which riders suffer injuries.
7. Only 23 percent of mounted accidents occur when jumping.
8. Head injuries are cumulative. An original head injury can be made much worse by additional concussions.
9. Head injuries are expensive. Medical expenses for a minor concussion can amount to thousands of dollars. The most catastrophic head injuries average a cost of $4 million.
10. Riding is more dangerous than downhill skiing and motorcycling.
On-Trail Survival Guide
Avoid worst-case scenarios with these safety tips from respected trainer Julie Goodnight
If your horse braces against the cinch, consider tightening his cinch in increments so he doesn't flinch and tense then relax and loosen the pressure later on.
Even if you haven't had a big wreck with your horse, you've imagined what can happen on the trail. You've felt your stomach tie in knots as you headed up a steep hill, passed through deep water, or worse, seen a friend slip or fall with her horse.
Those moments of fear aren't bad and shouldn't be dismissed says natural horsemanship trainer Julie Goodnight. "Fear is a natural response," she says. "It can help you stay alive. With horses, it's always important to think, what's the worst-case scenario? If you know what can happen, you can make plans to avoid it."
Here, Goodnight gives you eight ways to avoid a potential tragedy. When you know what steps to take to be safe, you can ride with confidence and ease.
Safety tip #1: Check your cinch
Problem: Your saddle becomes loose and swings beneath your horse.
Worst-case scenario: You're going along the trail at a brisk pace when you realize you haven't checked your cinch for almost an hour. And you can't quite remember - did you check the cinch or girth after stopping for a lunch break? Your saddle slips to the side, taking you with it. You try to untangle yourself from the saddle, which is now upside down and hanging below your horse's belly, but your foot is caught. Your horse is moving faster as the "attacking" saddle chases him. You're terrified as you're being dragged down the trail. If you're lucky, your worst problem will be a horse that's terrified of being saddled. If you're not so lucky, you risk a serious injury or even death.
Goodnight says she's seen many saddles slip and flip during her years as a horse trainer and trail guide. "That traumatizes a horse for the rest of his life - he's afraid of a saddle after it slips and that's a difficult and sometimes impossible fear to un-train."
Solution: Avoiding this wreck is simple - take time to check your cinch or girth and know where to check for potential problems.
How to go about it: You might've been taught to check your cinch at a point parallel to your horse's elbow. Your horse is concave in shape on his side, so the cinch will almost always feel loose at that point - it's a false reading. Check the cinch between his front legs, at the back of the cinch where it crosses your horse's sternum; that's hard bone. You'll get a true feel for the looseness or tightness there.
To be sure, place a straight index finger between your horse's haircoat and the cinch. Reach in from the side closest to your horse's tail so that when you pull your finger out, you'll leave the horse's hair flat and avoid causing him to be sore. If you can push one finger in up to your first joint, your cinch is tight. If you can easily push two fingers - or one finger farther than the first joint - between your horse's body and the cinch, your cinch may need to be tightened. If you can't get your finger in at all, the cinch is probably too tight, causing your horse to feel undue pressure.
Cinch tightness depends on how your horse is built. If your horse is round and doesn't have high withers, you might need to ride with a tight cinch to be safe. If your horse has high withers and is somewhat thin, you won't have to crank the cinch; you'll likely be safe if you can fit two fingers in up to your first knuckles.
Check your cinch before and after mounting; your weight compresses the saddle and pad, and may allow for extra room. Plus, when your horse warms up and his muscles tighten during exercise, he begins to sweat. Air rushes away from his body and out of the saddle pad. All these factors create space between your horse and the cinch.
You might've heard that horses hold their breath during saddling to create more room between their bodies and the cinch. Goodnight says horses don't plan ahead for a way to escape pain, but they do remember if someone has cranked up the cinch too much at one time. If your horse braces against the cinch, consider tightening his cinch in increments so he doesn't flinch and tense, then relax and loosen the pressure later on.
Get in the habit of checking the cinch each time you mount up and again about 20 minutes into each leg of your ride. You might need to dismount to check the cinch properly. To remind you to retighten your cinch after each break, put your stirrups up over your saddle horn or, if you're riding in an English saddle, leave a billet hanging down. You'll see the strange setup and remember to adjust your gear before moving on.
Avoid a bridle catastrophe by double-checking rein connections (top). Also, use a properly fitted throatlatch; make sure you can fit three fingers vertically aligned between your horse's jaw and the latch's leather (bottom).
Safety tip #2: Analyze your bridle
Problem: Your bridle comes off because you don't have a throatlatch or a rein breaks away from the bit.
Worst-case scenario: You're loping across an open meadow when suddenly you realize you have no contact with your horse's mouth. You're holding on to your reins as your bridle drags along the ground beside you. Your horse senses your panic and takes off faster - and heads straight for the tree line. Without reins, you don't have a way to steer him through the approaching trees. Will he rub you off because you can't maneuver quickly? How will you stop without your trusty rein aids? The trees are getting closer…
Solution: Make sure your headstall has a throatlatch and it's properly connected. Also, take time to analyze the screws or leather latigos that connect your headstall to the bit and your bit to the reins. Goodnight says losing one rein isn't as traumatic as losing your entire bridle. Still, if your horse isn't properly trained, you might have trouble stopping without pulling the bit through your horse's mouth. Plus, stopping for repairs during a ride is never a fun way to spend time.
How to go about it: Goodnight recommends purchasing a headstall with a throatlatch included. She says many riders who show in Western classes ride without the throatlatch attached so that their horses look refined. But out on the trail, your horse can easily pull off even a split-eared headstall if there's not an extra fastener around his jowl. Buckle the throatlatch, and make sure you can fit three fingers vertically aligned between your horse's jaw and the latch's leather.
While you're checking your bridle, look closely at the connections between leather and metal; that's where you'll first see wear and breaking. Replace any worn leather before you leave for a ride. Also, make sure your bridle's Chicago screws are tightly fastened. Consider dotting the back of the screws with super glue to ensure you won't lose a rein. (Only do so if you know you won't want to change your tack setup later.)
Safety tip #3: Apply an under-bridle halter and lead correctly
Problem: Leaving your halter and lead rope attached beneath your bridle can leave dangerous loops for your horse to step through or tangle on passing brush.
Worst-case scenario: You're almost ready to stop, rest, and eat some lunch. You're riding with a rope halter beneath your horse's bridle. You've attached a lead rope to the halter, coiled the slack, and tied the coil to your saddle's front left latigo.
When you stop for a break, you plan to take off the bridle to allow your horse to rest and graze. As you approach your lunch site, you realize the lead has become slack and hangs down in a large loop near your horse's lower chest, but since you're almost at your stopping point, you figure you'll fix it later.
As you cross a log, your horse places his foot in the swinging loop. He raises his head to find he's tied to his legs. He pulls against the solid rope and finds no relief. If the halter doesn't budge, your horse could break his neck. You're out of balance and risk falling as your horse continues to bob and fight the connection.
Solution: Goodnight says she's not against riding with a halter under a bridle, but recommends using a flat, nylon break-away halter instead of a rope one. She also recommends detaching your lead while you ride.
"A rope halter may feel uncomfortable for your horse if it rubs beneath other layers," Goodnight says. "Plus, if you have a heavy rope lead swinging from the rope halter, your horse might become insensitive to any pressure on his face. He'll feel a constant downward pulling pressure all the time, which fights the cues you're giving with your rein aids."
How to go about it: Choose a flat halter that fits your horse well. Place the halter high enough on your horse's nose so that the extra layer and riggings don't interfere with the bit.
When you bridle your horse, adjust the bridle to allow for the halter's extra bulk. Loosen the bridle if you see more wrinkles than usual at the corner of your horse's mouth, where bit and bridle meet.
Instead of attaching the lead to the halter and tying it anywhere near your horse's neck, choose a lead with a snap, and simply detach and stash it in your saddlebag until it's time for a break.
Safety tip #4: Remove the tie-down
Problem: A tie-down interferes with your horse's balance and can put him at risk for drowning.
Worst-case scenario: You're riding down a steep hill toward a deep-water crossing. Your horse slips sideways as you head down the hill and needs to correct himself and take a step up to be back on the trail. He could correct himself easily if he wasn't tacked up, especially with a tie-down. With a tight strap connected from the bridle to his body, he can't use his head to balance his body weight.
As your horse attempts to climb back onto the trail, he stretches the tie-down and slips again. You're sliding toward the water. With his tie-down in place in the water, you're in even more trouble. Your horse must keep his nose above water to breathe as he attempts to swim across. The tie-down keeps his nose under water. If you can't find your knife in time to cut the line, your horse might drown.
Solution: Train your horse to carry his head appropriately, and ditch the tie-down. If you must use a tie-down, fit it so that he can move his head for optimal balance, and remove it before approaching any body of water.
How to go about it: If you need help training your horse, consult a reputable professional. If you do use a tie-down, apply it, then wait for your horse to stand still and relaxed with his head in a neutral position. Then lift up on the tie-down. It should have enough slack to reach up to his throat; otherwise, it'll interfere with his balance.
Safety tip #5: Wear a helmet
Problem: Wearing a helmet is hot and just not stylish.
Worst-case scenario: You head to the mountains for a long-planned day ride. You decide to wear your hat instead of your helmet. After all, you have a trust worthy horse. Your helmet is in the truck, but it's so hot in the sunshine. You think your hat is an acceptable choice.
Twenty minutes into your ride, the trail opens up onto a rocky climb. The smooth, slick terrain is covered with small rocks. You trust your horse to move on. He tries, then slips backward. You lose your balance and roll off of his back onto the hard rock. Your head hits with a thud.
Solution: Goodnight says most trail riders don't wear a helmet because helmets are too hot - and aren't "cool" - or riders trust their horses and don't think there's any chance of a fall. The justifications don't make sense. Wear a helmet.
"When I decided to wear a helmet when I conduct my demonstrations and clinics, it was difficult, because none of my peers did the same," Goodnight says. "I was concerned that it would make me appear uncool. I also worried about getting too hot and not looking nice later. Then I realized that no one was going to not like me because I wore a helmet. No one else cares that much about what you do. Now, if anyone comments on my helmet, I tell them that obviously I'm smarter than them and my brains are more important."
Wear a riding helmet on the trail. Modern helmets are designed to allow more airflow than their older counterparts, and come in a variety of colors and styles.
Modern helmets are designed to allow more airflow than older models. They come in a variety of colors and styles, not just the big black versions you may remember from your younger days.
If you're still arguing that you have a safe, well-trained horse, Goodnight lends this wisdom: "You're in an uncontrolled environment with unmanaged footing. Even the best-trained horse isn't guaranteed not to slip or fall. There's more of a chance that your head would hit a rock if you do fall off on the trail. It just isn't worth the risk."
How to go about it: Look for lightweight helmets designed for horseback riding and that carry the American Society for Testing and Materials/Safety Equipment Institute seals. The ASTM includes doctors, engineers, and physicists. It sets standards especially for riders, judging the impact that could happen falling from a tall horse at high speeds. SEI personnel test equestrian helmets to make sure the headgear meets ASTM standards.
Safety tip #6: Protect against insects and West Nile Virus
Problem: Your horse can become distracted by bugs. You and your horse are at risk for mosquito bites, which can carry West Nile Virus.
Worst-case scenario: While you're trotting through the mosquito-infused forest, your horse, accustomed to a bug-controlled barn, gets a terrible case of itchiness. Hoping to rid his skin of the pests, he purposefully aims for the bushes. As he brushes off the bugs, you lose your balance and come off, too.
Worse, if a mosquito carrying WNV bites, you and/or your horse might also come in contact with WNV. Horses infected with WNV may stumble, stagger, grind their teeth, lose the muscle strength to stand, have facial paralysis, go blind, and suffer effects of encephalitis that ultimately take their lives.
If an infected bug bites you, you'll experience headaches, a high fever, a stiff neck, disorientation, coma, convulsions, muscle weakness, and even paralysis if the bite results in encephalitis or meningitis (an infection of the brain or spinal cord, or its protective covering).
Even if mosquitoes in your area don't have the virus (yet), new research from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston shows that bites by "healthy" bugs may prime your system and make it easier for you to contract a severe virus variety.
Solution: Avoid mosquitoes to avoid the virus. Protect your horse with a vaccine against WNV. Protect yourself with long sleeves, bug spray, and mosquito-repellent clothing.
How to go about it: Get your horse vaccinated for WNV each spring, and ask your veterinarian what boosters might be needed to keep your horse safe throughout the warm mosquito season. (Three new vaccines against WNV are PreveNile by Intervet, RECOMBITEK by Merial, and West Nile-Innovator ("The Mosquito Shot") by Fort Dodge, available only from your vet; for more information, visit www.intervetusa.com/species/equine, http://us.merial.com/equine, and www.fortdod gelivestock.com/equine).
As you get ready for a trail ride, pack a mosquito-repelling spray for you and for your horse. Ask your veterinarian which brands he or she recommends for ultimate bug control and safety for your horse.
If you plan frequent jaunts into the woods, consider adding mosquito-repelling clothing to your wardrobe. This apparel is infused with permethrin, a manmade form of a natural insect repellent found in chrysanthemum plants. Check out Ex Officio's Buzz Off Insect Shield line (800/644-7303; www.exofficio.com).
To find out more about the mosquito population in your area, visit the AABB's website. (The association was formerly known as the American Association of Blood Banks, but is now known by its acronym.) Go to www.aabb.org, and search for "2008 West Nile Virus Biovigilance Network." You'll find up-to-date charts and maps showing where the virus is found; you'll also find tips to help you protect against the virus.
To avoid hang-ups, look for equestrian-specific jackets that have snap - rather than zipper - closures. A snap will come apart much faster than a zipper will break.
Safety tip #7: Avoid unsafe apparel and accessories
Problem: Hoodies, loose-fitting shoulder bags or fanny packs, dangling jewelry, and jackets with zippers all can cause hang-ups.
Worst-case scenario: As you start to dismount for a lunch break, your zipper-closed jacket slips over your saddle horn, leaving you hanging from your horse's side. With your feet already out of the stirrups, you can't push yourself up to free yourself. Your horse feels your strange movements at his side and sidesteps. When you move along with him, he sidesteps again, then starts to trot and lope to get away from your too-close stance. He then drags you by your unbreakable jacket.
Solution: Make sure all of your clothing and accessories fit close to your body and that no straps or outerwear layers can catch.
How to go about it: Look for equestrian-specific jackets that have snap - rather than zipper - closures.
A snap will come apart much faster than a zipper will break. Tuck in shirts and hoods. Tuck the base of loose sweatshirts and any under layers into your jeans or jods. Pull your hood out only when it's time to put it on.
When it comes to accessories, leave your jewelry at home. If you wear a fanny- or backpack, adjust the straps so that they lay flat next to your clothing. Consider turning your fanny pack toward your backside so that it's out of the way as you mount and dismount.
Better yet, store everything you can in your saddlebags. Keep your necessary emergency items (cell phone, knife, identification, protein bar, and compass/global positioning system) in a zip-closed pocket or hide-away satchel beneath your outer layer. Or, shop for a specially made wallet that attaches to your leg. One good source of these types of totes is the Cashel Company (800/333-2202; www.cashelcompany.com).
Safety tip #8: Leave word
Problem: You're riding alone and no one knows where you are or when to expect you back.
Worst-case scenario: You take off for some personal rejuvenation time. It's just you and your horse out on the trail. No one knows where you are or when you'll return.
For a while, you're glad for that freedom. Suddenly, a summer storm sweeps the sky. A lightning bolt lands too close for comfort, and your horse charges off. You're left behind far from home.
Worse, your cell phone was stored in your saddlebags. You don't know how you're going to get back to the trailhead and out of the storm. Which way did you come from? You hope your significant other will miss you, but he or she won't be home until at least 9:00 p.m. It's getting scary and dark.
Solution: Always tell someone where you're going and when you'll return. "Riders' lives have definitely been saved when they've left word, clearly stating when they should return and when to send help," says Goodnight.
How to go about it: Before you leave home, call a family member or friend who you know will get the message. Let him or her know which trail you'll take and how long the trip should last. Also, let him or her know whom to contact if you haven't checked in by a certain time. Keep a list of relevant emergency numbers ready.
Before you leave home, attach an ID tag to your horse's bridle or under-bridle halter. Use a luggage tag to list your name and contact information, and your emergency contact's number. Pack a grease pencil to write your name and telephone number on your horse's hindquarters before becoming separated, if you get a chance. A rescuer may find your horse before they find you, and your friend will know what trail you took. That information will speed up your rescue!
Once you mount up, stick to your trail plans, and don't tarry. Keep your emergency items with you, not in your saddlebags, in case you and your horse become separated.
After your ride, check in with your contact to let him or her know you're home safe.
Emergency Stop on a Horse - Pulley Rein - VIDEO
How to execute the pulley rein on a horse to stop in an emergency.
Danger Zones Around the Horse - VIDEO
Learn the danger zones around a horse on the ground and how to use horse behavior to work around them safely.
More at: CHA Instructor's Channel
Emergency Dismount - VIDEO
Learn how to safely and correctly do an emergency dismount if needed off a horse.
Avoid 7 Types of Trail Riding Problems
From Equisearch.com
Learn how to avoid seven problematic situations on trail rides--and how to get out of them as safely as possible if they do catch you by surprise.
Proper planning can make all the difference when it comes to enjoying a trail ride. Without it, you can wind up in predicaments ranging from inconveniences to serious threats to your safety, as well as that of your horse and your trail-riding pals.
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- Trail riding is supposed to be fun, and most of the time, it is. But certain kinds of trail trouble can ruin a ride; get the lowdown here.
- Photo by Jim Bortvedt
Situation: Kicks to horse or rider.
Situation: Bogs and quicksand.
Situation: Attacks by ground-dwelling bees or wasps.
Learn how to avoid seven problematic situations on trail rides--and how to get out of them as safely as possible if they do catch you by surprise.
Beware: These insects get very agitated when horses tread over their nest, and their sting feels like a hot electric jolt. Often, the first two or three horses in the pack step on the nest and trigger a nest-defending attack. They might be stung in the belly or the flank, causing them to rear, kick out, buck, and panic. By the time the next few horses move ahead and the riders realize what’s happening, the insects can be in full-on swarm mode.
Worst-case scenario: If you see this situation develop or the lead rider yells, “BEES!” or “WASPS!”, move fast–either ahead or off the trail. If you’re on such a narrow trail that you can’t detour, be ready to high-tail it past the nest (at a lope, if necessary), and don’t hold up the riders behind you. If your horse gets stung and starts to buck, pull his head up and urge him forward to redirect his attention and lessen the chance of additional stings. The worst thing you can do is attempt to pull him to a stop, because that just gives the insects more opportunity to sting.
Extra caveat: You’re just as likely to be stung as your horse is. If you’re allergic to bee and/or wasp stings, always carry an EpiPen®, and be sure that another rider knows where you keep it and how to administer it.
Water Woes
Situation: Water crossings.
Avoid it: When water runs high, or if your horse slips and falls while crossing water, things can get dicey. Always cross at a designated area, both for safety concerns and to conserve the surrounding environment. Even if a creek has a rocky, visible bottom, the entrance and exit should be clear if it’s an established crossing. Call the trail service, if there is one, to ensure that all the water crossings are safe, especially when the water is high and moving quickly.
Beware: In the event that a horse does go down in water or finds himself having to swim, he’s going to need full use of his head and neck. Before crossing, un-dally ponied stock and remove tie-downs, martingales, and any other ropes and straps that could entangle your horse.
Worst-case scenario: The majority of horses instinctively know how to swim, so it’s likely that the horse can take care of himself if you find yourself in unexpectedly deep water. If you can, stay with your swimming horse by holding onto the saddle horn. Give your horse his head so he can keep his balance and get you out of the situation. If you can’t hang on or your horse falls, place all of your effort toward getting away from your horse’s feet as quickly as possible. A kick to the head could render you unconscious, which can be deadly in any situation involving water. Once you get clear of your horse, don’t try to stand up, even if the water doesn’t seem deep. Sit in the water with your feet up and pointed downstream in case swift water carries you away.
Dropped or Broken Gear
Situation: Unsecured/damaged gear.
Avoid it: Dropped water bottles, cameras, and hats; lost Chicago screws; broken reins or cinches–any and all of these can cause inconveniences and wrecks. Know how to secure your gear to your saddle, or ask someone who does to help you. Be sure that your gear fits your horse well and is in good condition before you take off. Carry only the necessities. Discuss what other riders are bringing along–do you really need duplicates?
Beware: If you have to stop the ride to retrieve or fix something, the chance of something else going wrong increases dramatically. A horse may get loose, for instance, or get into a kicking match with a neighboring one.
Worst-case scenario: If you or another rider does drop something, or a piece of gear breaks, alert the riders around you that you’re going to stop and how you plan to solve the issue. If necessary, ask another rider for help. By keeping everyone apprised of what’s happening, you’ll help ensure that no one winds up in trouble; for example, none of the horses get loose.
Rubbed Raw
Situation: Girth Sores.
Avoid it: Condition your horse well before taking him on a long or multi-day ride. Ensure that your cinch is clean, in good condition, and properly adjusted.
Beware: Check your horse for rubbing throughout the day. If he develops a sensitive spot, move your saddle and adjust your riggings.
Worst-case scenario: A saddle sore can get oozy and bloody and make the remainder of your ride very uncomfortable for you and your horse. Carry a few disposable diapers and ointment in your pack. Apply the ointment to the sore, and wrap a diaper (plastic side toward the wound) around your cinch to reduce friction and protect the area from further irritation.
Learn how to avoid seven problematic situations on trail rides--and how to get out of them as safely as possible if they do catch you by surprise.
Unstable Footing
Situation: Loose-shale footing in mountainous areas.
Avoid it: It takes a steady, seasoned rider and horse to navigate this kind of terrain, so don’t attempt it if you’re a novice on a green horse. If your horse is quiet and familiar with the terrain, you shouldn’t run into problems. On most well-traveled trails, the footing should be fairly secure, so up your safety odds by staying on the designated trail.
Beware: Some mountainous trails have steep areas with loose rock that can be tricky to cross.
Worst-case scenario: When you encounter loose footing, stay out of your horse’s way. He might have to scramble up or down the path, but help him stay calm and encourage him to walk steadily. If your horse is emotional and runs through touchy situations, check and release him to keep him under control, but then let him have his head for balance. Don’t get off and attempt to lead him down a trail with loose footing, as you could be injured if he loses his balance and slides into you.
PLAN AHEAD
Whether your ride will be around your own back 40 or out in a wilderness area, proper preparation sets you up for a successful, safe adventure.
- Choose one map to follow before venturing out, to ensure that the entire group is on the same page.
- If possible, call ahead to be sure that the trail is in good condition and to ask about any potential trouble spots along the way.
- Decide as a group what’s expected of the riders and their horses. Point out which horses are dominant, which are speedy or slow walkers, which may be mares in heat, and which may tend to kick. Also, discuss each rider’s skill level so the more advanced ones can look out for the novices.
- Designate an experienced rider with a seasoned horse as the group’s leader. This person should know the trail well and be confident that he or she can handle myriad situations.
- Charge the rider with the most first-aid knowledge with carrying the first-aid kit.
- Choose a form of emergency communication. If cell phones won’t work in the area you plan to ride, you’ll have to rely on two-way radios to contact emergency help.
The editors thank Team Horse & Rider’s Julie Goodnight (juliegoodnight.com) for contributing advice and expertise to this article. This article originally appeared in the July 2010 issue of Horse & Rider.
Safety Guidelines for Barn Visitors
Safety first! Post these guidelines in your barn for visitors.
By the Editors of EQUUS magazine
Julie Goodnight Quick Tip Video: For Proper Helmet Fit and Adustment
Watch this great 30 sec video to ensure your helmet stays securely on your head
Julie Goodnight Safety Tip: When to Wear a Helmet
About 60% human injuries involving horses happen when people are on the ground with the horse, not just riding, and many of those are head injuries. I'’ve been kicked in the head twice while handling horses, once medicating a wound under the belly and once while cleaning a horse’s feet. Of course, both times I got kicked I was doing something I shouldn’t have been doing, but unfortunately, that’s how people get hurt.
I’ve worked with many top-notch riding groups that virtually have zero incident rates; one very common policy in these programs is that students are required to put on their helmets as soon as they enter the barn and cannot take them off until they leave.
Read More
Lynn Palm Safety Tip - A Good Thing to Check Before Mounting
Check your girth before mounting. It is also best to check your bridle and fit of the bridle and payment of the saddle before mounting. I great habit to get into!!
Lynn Palm's Safety Tips Before Hitting the Trail
Lynn Palm walks you through some important safety tips you need to know before hitting the trails. The following tips will help you enjoy your ride out and about in safety and in comfort.
One of the foremost and respected horsemen in the world, Lynn Salvatori Palm of Palm Partnership Training is a pioneer among women in the horse industry. For more than 30 years, Lynn Palm has championed the partnership of horse and rider, bringing her unique perspective to hundreds of thousands of horse enthusiasts around the world.
