| All of us are concerned about being safe around our | | | | the bit ripping his mouth if he panics and pulls back, and |
| horses, but it is just as important to be certain that our | | | | you will also end up with snapped reins. |
| horses are safe around us. | | | | Ensure that haynets do dangle loosely when empty. |
| Below are some ways to make certain your equine | | | | You need to tie them sufficiently high so that the horse |
| friend suffers no harm as you learn to ride a horse. | | | | can reach, but such that they do not create a danger. |
| 1. Tying: | | | | 2. Stirrups: |
| Tying a horse is so frequently done in a way which | | | | Take caution when you are not riding and make |
| puts the horse in danger that we will discuss it first. | | | | certain that the stirrups are kept up. If not, they will |
| Please, do not, for any reason, tie your horse straight | | | | strike the horse's sides when you are leading him or |
| to a solid object! Instead, wrap a section of breakable | | | | may get caught on something which will cause him to |
| twine or other such material around the object first | | | | panic. |
| and then loop the lead rope through it. The reason for | | | | 3. Safety in the Vicinity of the Barn: |
| this is that should your horse panic, the twine will break | | | | Be wary whenever you are walking through the barn. |
| and he can get safely away without breaking his neck | | | | Should you notice a pitch fork somewhere that a |
| or dragging the object along behind him, creating | | | | horse or person could step on it, pick it up and put it |
| additional panic. | | | | away. Wheelbarrows can be a danger should a horse |
| This also applies to tying him in a trailer. | | | | become stuck between the handles and then panic. |
| When tying the horse, be certain that the rope does | | | | We need to realize that it is our responsibility to keep |
| not hang below his shoulder so that he will not get his | | | | our horses safe. As you become more experienced |
| foot tangled in it. And you must ensure that there is | | | | by being around these great animals you will certainly |
| enough slack so that he will not feel excessively | | | | find additional ways to keep your horse's environment |
| restricted. | | | | safe. |
| If you tie your horse by the reins, you run the risk of | | | | |