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Horseback riding may be considered an EXTREME SPORT, along with mountain climbing, surfing, hang-gliding, skateboarding, parachuting, and more.

That may surprise people, but it's true. When we ride horses, we attempt to enlist the cooperation of a 1,000-pound fright-and-flight creature, who may exercise his own will quite suddenly at any moment. Hooves may fly, heads may toss, backs may buck, and the rider may go flying anytime. This is what makes it a sport, and one of the reasons we keep on coming back for more! Every time we enjoy a wild ride, and live to tell about it, we feel the rush.

Barns and stables post warnings and rules, and barn managers usually require liability release waivers of all participants. It's all about safety.

Following are several safety guidelines, to keep you safe in the saddle:

OBSERVE ARENA RULES:

Many stables actually post a list of rules. Most of these are actually posted to protect the safety of all participants. Read the rules, and follow them.

HAVE PROPER EQUIPMENT:

An approved equestrian helmet is the most important piece of safety equipment you can have. In addition, hard-soled, closed-toed shoes with about 1" of heel is essential. These will protect toes from accidental horse-stomps (which can actually sever toes), and they will prevent your feet from sliding through the stirrups and becoming stuck. Many serious injuries occur when riders fall off and are dragged by a foot, which is caught in a stirrup.

Avoid tacking up your horse in traffic! Your horse should be fully tacked before entering the riding arena. Collect all the equipment you need (helmet, spurs, whips, etc.) ahead of time, so you won't have to exit and reenter. (Of course, you can stop in the center of the arena to tighten your girth/cinch and run down your stirrups.

ENTER THE ARENA CAUTIOUSLY:

Whether the arena door is open or shut, you must call out, "Door!" before entering. Wait for a response from those already in the arena, then stop and look both ways. When you have a safe opening, walk your horse into the arena. Turn and close the door. Proceed to the center of the arena before stopping to adjust your girth/cinch and stirrups.

Double-check your horse's girth/cinch before mounting. A loose, slipping saddle can spell trouble in a hurry!

MOUNT SAFELY:

If a mounting station is provided, it is safest to use it. Otherwise, try to mount in the center of the arena, out of others' way, and never on the outside rail.

NO SURPRISES:

All riders must communicate their plans with

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