Safety when riding
Matching horse and rider
Riding equipment
Personal protective equipment
Road safety
Matching horse and rider
- Riders should be evaluated to decide if they are a beginner, medium or competent rider.
- A suitably qualified and experienced person, for example the instructor or head guide, should choose a horse or pony which suits the age, size, experience, riding ability and any known disability or limitation of the rider.
- Match the horse to the riding task.
Riding equipment
Rider safety can be compromised by the use of damaged or incorrectly fitted riding equipment, or tack.
Saddles, stirrup leathers, stirrup irons, bridles and bits should be regularly checked, adjusted for fit and be well maintained. Horse sweat rots stitching and leather, so all tack should be kept clean and supple.
Personal protective equipment
Both riders and horses should use personal protective equipment. For example, horses may need breastplates and cruppers in steep country.
Riders and handlers should wear a correctly adjusted and fitted helmet which meets the Australian and New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 3838 Helmets for horse riding and horse related activities (non-Queensland Government link). Helmets should be replaced according to the manufacturer's recommendations. A competent person should check any damaged or dropped helmets.
Suitable footwear should be worn by riders, horse handlers and stable hands. Riders should preferably wear riding boots.
Riders should wear comfortable clothing including long trousers and a shirt which covers the arms and shoulders. Loose clothing should be secured and jewellery should not be worn.
Riding gloves can protect hands and prevent rings from being caught in the horse's mane.
Road safety
Horses can be easily frightened by motor vehicles and care should be taken when crossing or riding on a road. Only horses that are trained in traffic should be allowed on the road, especially if being ridden by an inexperienced rider.
Groups should be kept small, no more than five or six, and organised so that:
- the least experienced riders are on the quietest horses
- riders with least experience are in the middle of the ride
- young or nervous horses are positioned on the inside of an older experienced horse
- never ride more than two abreast
- experienced riders are always at the front and rear of the ride.
When riding on a road be aware of the following:
- all riders and horses should be checked in an enclosed area before going onto a road, with practice exercises such as:
- how to queue up while a gate is opened or closed
- how to cross a road
- what to do in case someone needs to dismount
- how to respond to the hand or voice signals given by the ride controller or others
- avoid busy main roads as much as possible
- give clear and accurate signals, and remember other road users
- acknowledge and return courtesy
- avoid riding in failing light or darkness
- wear reflective gear and fit leg bands above the fetlock joints of the horse if riding in poor light
- if a horse slips and falls, stay calm and let the horse 'find its feet' - check that the horse is uninjured before remounting on non-slippery ground
- don't 'trickle' over a major crossing.
Further information on the workplace environment is provided in section 5, 6 and 7 of The Horse Riding Schools, Trail Riding Establishments and Horse Hiring Establishments Industry Code of Practice 2002.
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