Safety should always be at the forefront of a trail rider's mind, both for the horse and rider alike. Thoroughly prepare for a day on the trail with helpful advice from an experienced trail boss in this video on horseback riding.
Hi I'm Judy Smith. I've been a trail riding enthusiast and trail rider for many many years from Battleground, Washington, here to talk to you about safety concerns of trail riding. One safety concern, make sure your horse is in shape, make sure you're in shape before you ever head out on the trails. Check your truck, your tire pressure in your truck, your tire pressure in your trailers, make sure your brakes are working properly, your lights are hooked up properly all of that before you ever head down the road. Make sure you pack some kind of First-Aid for you and your horse and your horn pouches, your saddlebags. Make sure you carry enough water so that you stay hydrated, take into consideration the temperature of the day, of what trail you are going to ride. If it's a hot hot day try to stay in the shade for your horse's concern as well as your own. Call ahead to make sure what the trail conditions are before you head out into new country, contact your Forest Service, your Department of Natural Resources, your Bureau of Land Management, your local chapter of Back Country Horsemen, find out what those trail conditions are before you ever head out because over the Winter a lot of trees come down. There is new conditions every year. Make sure that if you are riding with a group that you tie a red ribbon in your horse's tail. That lets the person behind you know that your horse kicks. Another safety concern is your riding gear. Always make sure that your cinches are in one piece, that they're not worn, your straps are all in one piece, your bridals, all the screws are tightened, or all the strings are tied. Make sure your horse's shoes are tight, check, always check out all four feet before you head out on a ride. Make sure your or just all your equipment, check it over it doesn't ever hurt. So again safety is your number one priority, just be prepared for whatever comes up.
Specialty: Trail Rides
