A safe, secure equestrian experience begins long before a horse steps into the ring or stable. The right equipment is the starting point for any well-organized, efficient operation and the absence of even one essential piece can dramatically impact everything else.
Equestrian activities come with inherent risks. Keeping your horse healthy, providing it with a stress-free home environment and teaching it to work with other horses is an ongoing process as is keeping your operation organized, safe and secure. However, when you prioritize these factors from the get-go, they become easier to manage and less costly over time.
For example, prioritizing security will help you invest in higher quality fences and gates that last longer than cheap alternatives that may not withstand repeated use. The right equipment can increase security by limiting access to certain areas of your property or discouraging entry by third parties. It can also reduce maintenance costs by keeping fences in top shape and ensuring drains are properly maintained instead of replacing them annually as needed.
Fencing
You can keep a healthy, stress-free home environment for your horse by investing in quality fencing. This includes any open boundaries between your property and those of neighbors, public areas and roadways. It also includes the inside of your property itself, including structures like overgrown bushes or shrubs that could be used by intruders to access your horse. Quality fencing will include the following features:
- Structured – A smooth surface that’s made of a durable material designed to last. Smooth fencing can be used as a ground cover, but it won’t provide the security of a high, solid, opaque barrier.
- Substantial – What constitutes substantial is based on your specific property. Generally, it’s a continuous barrier that’s at least six feet high and features a horizontal bar at least six inches in diameter at the top.
- Impenetrable – You’re looking for a security fence that’s fully embedded or embedded with a solid gate. No gaps or openings are allowed.
Footwear
Riding boots protect your horse’s hoof from bruising and abrasion when it walks or runs on uneven, hard surfaces like concrete or gravel. Sand, mud and snow can also harm a horse’s feet if it wears inappropriate footwear. All horses should have shoes for daily use and for use in the arena. The type, quality and fit of the boots depend on your horse’s needs, including its training and discipline. Horses are expected to perform in many different disciplines, ranging from jump to trail riding, eventing, hunter and dressage. The types of boots you purchase should reflect the needs of your horse in each discipline.
Harness
A quality leather halter and lead rope are the first steps toward creating an effective and safe equine working environment. Invest in quality leather halters that are free of cracks and sturdy enough to withstand regular use. Lead ropes should be made of a durable material, such as synthetic rope, with smooth ends and a minimum diameter of eight inches. Lead ropes should be six and a half feet long, or less, if you don’t plan on using a rope halter. They should also have rings spaced evenly along the length of the rope, allowing you to attach multiple leads to one post or gate.
Riding Boots
Riding boots protect your horse’s feet and hoof from injury. Ideally, a horse’s feet are as soft and flexible as a human foot. However, horses’ hooves are made of keratin, which is like our nails, and they grow continuously throughout their lives. Hardworking horses need boots that protect their hoof walls from becoming cracked or broken. They should also be comfortable for the horse and provide the necessary support for long-term use. Selecting the right pair of boots can depend on your horse’s discipline. For example, dressage horses need boots that absorb impact when jumping, while you can use hunting boots for a trail ride.
Ropeware
Safety ropes and synthetic lariat, or synthetic lariat ropes, are ideal for tying off or securing your horse when it’s being transported by trailer. Safety ropes that are made of nylon or polypropylene are generally easier on a horse’s mouth, but synthetic lariat ropes are more durable. Ropeware, which is rope that’s covered in a synthetic material, is a great alternative to synthetic lariat rope. It’s less expensive, easier on a horse’s mouth and comes in a range of colors. Safety ropes that are designed for livestock trailers are designed to hold a horse’s head in an upright position. They should be lightweight and made of a soft material that’s safe for a horse’s mouth.
Security Stable
Providing a secure place for your horse to stay when you’re away from home is an essential part of keeping it safe. Secure fencing and a secure shelter are the only ways to protect your horse from predators, such as coyotes and dogs. If you have an outdoor paddock that’s close enough to the stable for your horse’s hoofs to make contact with it, you can use it to keep your horse’s hoofs off the ground when it’s inside the fenced area.
To keep your horse from kicking the sides of the fence, you can use any of the following: Picket Fencing – Often referred to as shepherd’s fencing, this style of fencing is designed to prevent intruders from accessing a pasture or paddock through a small opening. The design makes it difficult for a horse to jump a fence.
T-Picket Fencing – This type of fencing is similar to a standard wood or metal rail fence with three-rail design, except the horizontal “T” is an aluminum rail that’s welded or bolted down to the posts. The horizontal bar provides a barrier against intruders.
Storage Bins
Bin storage is essential for the safe, organized storage of your equipment while it’s not in use. Quality bins should be durable, able to withstand repeated use and able to withstand high temperatures. You should also invest in a quality rack or shelving system that provides multiple levels of storage, allowing you to organize your bin by type of equipment. The height of your bins should also be adjustable, so you can set them at different heights as your equipment ages and needs more space.
Conclusion
Equipment is only as good as the operator. Make sure you practice and maintain your skills, stay safe and follow all manufacturer instructions. If something goes wrong, don’t expect someone else to fix it. You may need to take it to a certified mechanic. The equestrian lifestyle can be exciting and rewarding. However, it also comes with inherent risks, such as injury from falls, collisions and equipment failure. By following these safety tips, you can minimize these risks and enjoy your equestrian experience to the fullest.
