Horse riding is a fun activity that is not only healthy but also very enjoyable for animal lovers. Whether you are a professional equestrian or simply like riding in leisure time, horse riding is a fulfilling sport for everyone. Like with any sport or athletic activity, safety equipment is a pivotal aspect of keeping yourself safe from injury. Let’s take a look at safety equipment that equestrians should use every time they ride to keep themselves safe.
Reflective Clothing
One of the basic safety needs of an equestrian is reflective clothing. This type of protective gear helps the riders be more visible in situations with low light. Reflective clothing may also include straps which can be placed around the horse to make it more visible. Reflective clothing helps people see the rider and horse clearly so there is less chance of collisions or accidents.
Helmet
A good helmet serves as an airbag for your head and brain. Statistics show that in 2017, approximately 15,000 head injuries in the United States were caused by falling off or handling horses. This makes a helmet critical to head safety so in the situation a rider falls, there is minimal damage to the head.
Riding Vest
The riding vest protects the torso from bruising, prevents injury to the internal organs, and helps reduce injury to soft tissue in accidents. Some equestrians don’t like wearing riding vests because they tend to be bulky which leads to sweating. However, the safety benefits of a riding vest outweigh the inconvenience it may provide. Whether you are an occasional rider, speed game competitor, jumping rider, or long-distance rider, you should always wear a riding vest.
<h2″>Boots
There are a variety of boots available for equestrians. Two examples are tall boots and riding boots. Tall boots protect the riders’ legs from chafing while they ride. They also prevent riders’ legs from getting scraped by shrubs and branches on the trail. Riding boots are characterized by small heels. The purpose of these low heels is to assist the riders’ feet in the stirrup. They also protect the toes from getting trampled. The type of boot you should use when you ride a horse depends on the type of horse-riding activities you do and the safety needs specific to that activity.
Gloves
Gloves are crucial when riding horses because they provide extra strength and grip to the hands. The gloves protect against blisters from pulling and navigating the horse.
While it is impossible to guarantee you won’t get hurt while riding a horse, having the correct safety gear on can significantly lower your chances of injury. In the case you need assistance from injuries sustained while riding a horse, playing another sport, or from events that occur in routine life, you should have a trustworthy and experienced family medicine provider to lean on for support. The experts at Advanced Medical Clinic are happy to help you with any and all medical problems you may have. Call (561) 434-1935 to make an appointment or set an appointment online.
