Channel Button

There are 3 articles on this title. You are reading the article ranked and rated #1 by Helium's members.

Pets & Animals   >

Horse Training & Riding

Get a Widget for this title

Horse riding arena safety tips

one another. If you plan to pass another horse, call out, "Passing on your right" or "Outside, please!"

RIDE IN ONE DIRECTION:

Whenever possible, mounted riders must ride in the same direction, clockwise or counter-clockwise. If you wish to turn around, you must call, "Reverse, please!" or "Do you mind it we change directions?" All riders will then reverse together.

ALLOW SAFE FOLLOWING DISTANCES:

Crowding other riders is unsafe and rude. If you cannot see the rear hocks of the horse in front of you, then you are riding too closely. Slow down to allow more space, or circle your horse once before resuming your ride along the rail.

PASS CAREFULLY IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS:

Occasionally, you may want to practice turns, smaller circles, or flying lead changes in the center area of the arena. In such cases, you will want to follow the "Left Shoulder to Left Shoulder" rule for passing oncoming horses. (In some countries, the standard is "Right Shoulder to Right Shoulder.")

SLOWER RIDERS STAY OFF THE RAIL:

It is customary and safest to offer the outer perimeter of the arena to faster riders. Those who are riding in the higher gaits (cantering or loping) will need the additional space. If your horse is walking, you will want to take an inside track, so others may easily pass.

CUE YOUR HORSE PRIVATELY:

If you signal your horse vocally (including clucks, kisses, or whistles), do so quietly, so you do not cue others as well. After all, you would not want other riders to signal your horse to canter suddenly!

Avoid loud whip-cracks, which may startle other horses. A startled horse is unpredictable!

KEEP IT UNDER CONTROL:

All riders must make every effort to keep their horses under control, regardless of their gait. Of course, a horse that is bucking, rearing, or breaking free automatically assumes right-of-way. If a rider is unseated, all other horses must be stopped until his horse is retrieved and managed.

If your horse becomes unruly or unmanageable, you must keep him away from the arena traffic. Work through it in an unoccupied section of the arena, dismount and lunge him in a safe spot, or save your schooling for later, when traffic lightens.

LOOK OUT FOR STALLIONS:

Exercise extra caution, if you bring a stallion into the arena with other horses. Make his presence known, and allow extra space between him and other horses. Do not crowd any mares, in particular. Never ride a stallion directly behind a mare, particularly during breeding season!

JUMP SAFELY:

Never jump alone. If you plan


Below are the top articles rated and ranked by Helium members on:

Horse riding arena safety tips

  • 1 of 3

    by Linda Ann Nickerson

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

    read more

  • 2 of 3

    by Cache Ecrivain

    It is always important to be as safe as possible when you are riding a horse, because, lets face it, horseback riding is

    read more

  • 3 of 3

    by Tracie Anne

    When riding in an arena there are several rules to remember.

    1. Always try to look around you and be aware of where other

    read more

Add your voice

Know something about Horse riding arena safety tips?
We want to hear your view. Write_penWrite now!

Helium Debate

Cast your vote!

Should only horse vets perform dentistry on your horse?

Click for your side.

136398

Featured Partner

Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting

The Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting is an innovator in international nonprofit journalism. It goes beyond the hea...more

What is Helium? | Buy Web Content | Contact Us | Privacy | User agreement | DMCA | User Tools | Help | Community | Helium’s Official Blog | Link to Helium

Helium, Inc.
200 Brickstone Square Andover, MA 01810 USA