Safety Awareness — Tack and Pre-Riding Care

Safety is always a priority in horse riding. Safety awareness is of great importance and we at Pivo always make sure to highlight riding care. As well as provide the best tips in all discipline practices. In this article, we will cover how keeping your gear well-cared, proper tacking up, and other pre-riding duties are essential for your and your horse’s safety while on the saddle. Also, these precautions will ensure a comfortable ride for you and your equestrian companion. Our motto is always ‘Happy Horse, Happy Rider’, which we believe in through our Pivo Pod and technology!

Pre-Riding Inspection: A Rider’s Duty

Whether you tack up your horse yourself, have helping hands or someone does it for you. It’s the rider’s job to conduct a thorough pre-riding check before hopping onto the horse.

Even the best grooms and riders in the world can make mistakes, especially on a very busy day or show. So a pre-riding inspection works as a safety net to prevent accidents or unpleasant moments. Like the saying goes: ‘Four eyes see better than two’.

Pre-Riding Checklist

Below, you will find a list of the most essential things you should check before horse riding for safety –

Hooves and Horseshoes

Although this isn’t part of the tack, always check that the lower part of your horse’s hooves is clean and free from mud, bedding, stones and other elements. Also, check the space between the hooves and the horseshoes. And ensure they are free from elements like small stones, wood chips, or any debris that can harm your horse or cause discomfort. Keeping horse riding safety in mind is always a good idea!

Saddle and Saddle Pad

Saddle fitting is a complex craft and is beyond the scope of this article. Assuming your saddle has been properly fitted for your horse, check that it’s not placed too far forward or backward. For example, the saddle shouldn’t rest over the horse’s scapula or restrict the shoulders’ freedom of movement. The saddle must be level for a correct balance and weight distribution.

Ensure that the saddle pad is well placed. It should be well stretched over the horse without wrinkles that could pinch their skin or rub it. Check that the saddle area is fully covered by the pad. Also, ensure you can fit at least one finger between the pad and your horse’s withers to prevent rubbing and enhance breathability.

Girth

Check that the girth is properly tightened. Remember, girths cover delicate parts of your horse and may cause damage and/or discomfort when excessively tightened. That’s why it is important to adjust them tightly enough to hold the saddle in place but not so tight that they could harm your horse. As a rule of thumb, you should be able to fit a finger between the girth and your horse. The pressure should be even at all points.

Ensure the girth is fully stretched to avoid pinching your horse’s sensitive skin. Also, make sure that the girth is not running over or too near the horse’s armpits. Some riders tend to girth their horses very forward, which may result in rubbing and soreness, causing discomfort and potentially long-term injuries.

Some horses blow up their bellies due to anxiety and other issues. This being said, it’s always better to double-check the girth tension by allowing them to relax and walk. Some horses may need an extra re-adjustment after the warm-up. It’s always important to know your horse, and in case of extra girthiness or any behavioral issues, check with a trusted vet to discard any health problems.

Bridle

Check the bridle and its straps for proper fit and positioning. Ensure you can fit two fingers between the noseband and your horse’s skin. Also, check that the headpiece doesn’t exert too much pressure on your horse’s neck. 

If you are using a flash strap, ensure it is not too tight; you should be able to fit a finger between the strap and the horse’s chin. Also, check that you can place at least three or four fingers between the throatlatch and your horse’s throat.

Finally, ensure that all the straps are properly secured by the keeper loops so that they don’t flap or swing while you ride.

Boots – Leg Protection

Check that your horse’s leg protection is neither too tight nor loose. If you are using tendon boots, ensure they cover the fetlock and are neither too high nor low.

Frequent Gear Checking and Care

Another crucial practice for ensuring a safe ride is tack’s frequent inspection, cleaning, and lubrication. Most gear is subjected to extreme forces and exposed to the elements and contaminants like sand, sweat, salt, etc. Regular inspection and maintenance ensure that neither you nor your horse will experience accidents or injuries, and it also helps your equipment last longer.

Materials like leather are prone to drying, which can lead to cracking and tearing. Other components, such as elastics, buckles, and stitching, can wear out and fail, potentially causing accidents. For example, imagine a girth or stirrup strap breaking unexpectedly, which could lead to a dangerous situation.

It’s also important to bear in mind that most of the tack, such as the bridle, the girth, the saddle, etc, are in constant contact with your horse. Worn-out, dry, broken or cracked tack may cause your horse’s skin irritation, rubbing, discomfort and other issues, which can lead to behavioral and performance problems. Leaving aesthetics aside, proper care of your gear helps to keep your horse healthy, happy, and sound. Horse riding safety always comes first.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, doing a pre-ride check and keeping your tack in excellent condition and super clean is not only the best way to prevent accidents, but it’s also the best way to make the most out of your gear. Besides the outstanding looks of a tidy and shiny tack, proper tack care is also a great way to take care of your horse, preventing injuries and unnecessary discomfort. When you frequently inspect and clean your tack, it becomes as fast and simple as charging your Pivo Pod Silver Equestrian Pack — your best companion to capture your riding success and help you take your riding to the next level.

Read – Equestrian Safety: The Importance of Helmets — Your 2024 Guide