Staying Safe On The Trail

For a lot of horse owners there’s just nothing that compares to the peace of mind experienced aboard a well-known horse on a beautifully scenic trail. Trail riding is a great hobby, it’s an excellent way to bond with your horse, and it offers ample opportunities to socialize with friends. However, as with any equine endeavor, there are risks. Horses can spook, horses can slip, horses and riders can fall, brambles can cut, and unfamiliar people or animals can threaten. These are but a few of the risks that are out there on virtually every trail.

Of course, there are steps that can be taken to minimize these risks. Here are a few common sense tips for staying safe on the trail:

• Take your time, especially on unfamiliar trails. It’s so tempting to kick it into high gear and just barrel down that new trail. The problem is, you don’t know what kind of obstacles are on that trail or what kind of animals occupy the area. There’s nothing worse that having your horse cleverly stop at the first sign of trouble sending you sailing right over his head. It’s also a whole lot of fun to have your horse spook at some extremely threatening brush formation and spin out from under you.

• If you or your horse is a beginner, avoid trails that you know are challenging. Steep trails or trails with a lot of challenging obstacles will wear an inexperienced horse or rider out. The horse’s legs will get tired and as they get more tired, the amount of control the horse has over where it puts its feet drops. Even if the horse and rider are well conditioned, the mental stress of a high mountain trail can be too much. The best idea is to start on easy trails and work your way up.

• Stay on the trail! Off-trail adventures can quickly turn into mishaps. That meadow may be beautiful but neither you nor your horse can see what’s under those flowers. There could be anything from old barbed wire to rabbit holes to ground bees hidden in there.

• If you can’t see what your horse is walking on, chances are neither can he. If you get into thick vegetation on a trail, let your horse slowly pick his way through. If he stops, there may be a deadfall or nasty patch of brambles straight ahead.

• If you find yourself in a bad situation, consider all your options before dismounting. A lot of times, you’re less safe trying to lead your horse out of a bad situation. Before you dismount, realize that walking in front of your horse might be as dangerous as staying on.

• Always let someone know when and where you’re planning to ride. Anyone can get lost, even a whole group of riders can get lost. It’s always comforting to know that someone back home or back at the barn knows where you were planning to go and where to start the search.

• Pack for every ride. Even if it’s just a spur of the moment, half-hour ride through the woods or down the road, the unexpected can happen. It’s important to be prepared and putting together a Trail Ride Emergency Kit is a snap. You can throw the dozen or so useful items into a small pommel bag and permanently attach it to your saddle. The following is a list of suggested items for your kit:

Combination Tool – These are great for unexpected tasks, such as pulling splinters, removing rocks from hooves, cutting brambles, or repairing broken leather straps. Spend the money for a high quality tool such as a Leatherman or Buck. Get one that features a wire cutter, an awl, a blunt file (doubles nicely as a hoofpick), and pinch-nose pliers.

Leather Laces – These have multiple uses – crafting makeshift bridle parts, tying un-needed clothing to your saddle, etc. When buying, get the longest length you can find because a single piece of leather is stronger than short strands tied together.

Rubber-dipped, cotton-knit gloves – These make a great backup in case you lose or ruin your regular riding gloves. In addition, they’ll protect your hands when handling bramble, rough wood, wire, etc. They’re also handy when you need to handle a muddy hoof.

Easyboot Temporary Horseshoe – These are handy in the event of a thrown shoe, hoof chip, or injury. Make sure the boot fits you horse’s hooves so it’ll go on and stay on. Also be sure that you can put it on and take it off without special tools. Practice on you horse’s fore and hind hooves before you leave the barn.
Flashlight – Useful for pinpointing small wounds or rocks stuck in hooves. Also comes in handy if you find yourself out at dusk or after dark.
Resealable Freezer Bag (1 gallon) – Makes a great makeshift bucket for you and your horse, a washbasin for minor injuries, and a pack-out container for solid waste. Also, it can be opened and slipped over a leg as part of a wound dressing.

Lightweight, Disposable Rain Poncho – Not only great protection in an unexpected downpour but useful as a drop cloth for an impromptu picnic and to cover your saddle if it rains while you’re on the ground.
Individually Wrapped Sanitary Napkins (2) - In addition to the obvious use, these also make great bandages should you or your horse become injured.
Elastic Bandage, 2 Rolls – Most commonly known as VetRap. Use as a bandage if you or your horse become injured on the trail.
Two 8 oz. Bottles of Water – Not only will they quench your thirst, they can double as an eyewash or you can use them to irrigate a wound.
Baby Wipes - These work great for an impromptu sponge bath or to clean a wound. Buy a small pack of about six wipes and store them in a Ziploc bag to protect against drying and leakage. If you use a wipe, replace the opened pack when you get home – wipes can become moldy or dried out after opening.
Over the Counter Pain Medication – Good for unexpected headaches, muscle aches, or injury. Don’t take aspirin if your injury involves significant bleeding or bruising, as it can delay clotting. Instead take ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxin (Alleve), which are also anti-inflammatories.
Pepper Spray – Great for self-defense against any threatening individual (two or four legged) that you might come across on the trail. When using extend your arm fully and avoid spraying into the wind. Replace used canister, and any unused ones that are over a year old.

Having the peace of mind that comes from knowing that you are prepared can only increase your level of enjoyment on the trail. Ride on!