Every equestrian sport has rules for a reason. There are many dangers when you are riding a horse, but the benefits outweigh the risks. The rules and regulations of horse riding help make sure everyone has fun without risking their safety. Horse riding can be an exhilarating experience, but it’s important to understand the risks involved so you can make informed decisions about whether it’s right for you. There are some rules that are universal for all equestrian sports. Others vary from one discipline to another. Read on and learn about the consequences of not following these rules so you can make sure you don’t end up regretting any of them during your riding sessions.
What are the most important rules for horse riding?
There are many rules for horse riding, but these are the most important.
No jerky movements
You may notice that a horse jerks its head whenever it sees something it doesn’t like. The jerky movements are not an attempt to hurt you, but a natural response to something that scares or startles the horse. You should never try to stop the horse from jerking its head. You should also never try to pull the horse’s ears or use your hands to force the horse to stop jerking. All that may lead the horse to panic, which could be dangerous for both you and the horse.
Don’t put hands in the horse’s mouth
That’s right. You should not put your hands in the horse’s mouth. You might think that’s where you should put your reins, but that’s actually the wrong place to put them. The mouth of the horse is its food and water intake channel. If you put your hands in the horse’s mouth, you could accidentally choke the horse or cause it to lose its appetite.
Don’t ride with a whip
A whip is a very useful tool for controlling a horse. But you should never use it as a punishment. Horses are prey animals, and they do not understand why you would hit them with a whip. You could seriously hurt or even kill the horse with a single hit.
Don’t ride alone
Riding a horse alone is a great way to learn, but you should never do it if you don’t have a lot of experience. You’re much more likely to get hurt if you ride alone than if you ride with a group. You don’t have a horse’s sense of smell or sight to warn you if something is wrong, and you don’t have another person around to help if something goes wrong.
Keep your distance and don’t get too close
You should keep at least 3 feet from the horse’s side. If the horse charges toward you, you should stay as far away from it as possible. You can use a whip to keep the horse from coming closer.
Ride on open ground
Riding on a trail or in a field is great for beginners, but experienced riders should ride on open ground. There’s less risk of falling, but you’ll have to ride with more control.
Conclusion
Horse riding is an exhilarating experience, but it’s important to understand the risks involved so you can make informed decisions about whether it’s right for you. There are many rules for horse riding, but you must always remember to keep your distance from the horse and ride in an open area.