BASIC SAFETY FOR
This site is intended to provide basic horse safety information for EQSC 141 Beginning Horsemanship. This website is not intended to replace formal instruction in a classroom setting and is to be used for review purposes. The information is presented in lesson format to accompany class meetings.
Lesson I / Lesson II / Lesson III / Lesson IV
Lesson 1 Becoming Familiar with the Horse
Before attempting to ride a horse, students of EQSC 141 should become familiar with the terminology associated with the anatomy of the horse. Learning the terminology will become beneficial to the students when the class begins discussing movement and soundness in horses. It is extremely important to understand an animal before the student attempts to train it.
Caring for the hoof is one of the most important but often most neglected part of horse care. Neglecting the feet often leads to problems that prevent the horse from working properly. Hooves that are not regularly trimmed grow too long, and hoof cracks and contracted heels may develop. Other unsoundness of feet and legs can be caused by poor foot care.
To understand how and why the bridle enables the rider to control and direct his horse, it helps to look at the parts of the horse's head that are affected. It is important for students to understand the terminology associated with the parts of the head so that they will not become confused.
Lesson 2 Becoming Familiar With Riding Equipment
A halter can be made from three different types of material: rope, canvas, or leather. A halter will be placed around the muzzle, under the chin, and up over the poll. A lead rope is attached to the halter for easy handling of the horse. When tying, it is important to use quick release knots so that difficult situations can be avoided by releasing the horse quickly and with out injury.
The two major categories of saddles are English type and Western type. For EQSC 141, all students will be working with western saddles. The western saddle was developed because horse people who spent long hours riding needed a comfortable saddle for the horse and for themselves. It is important for all students to understand the parts and the terminology associated with the western saddle.
Western riders use a bridle composed of a set of reins, a bit, and a headstall. The simplest headstall consists of a leather strap that goes over the poll and is split so that it encircles one ear. Other types of headstalls have a brow band and a throatlatch which keeps the bridle in place. The bit and bridle can be used to exert pressure on eight parts of the head. The eight parts are: 1) Roof, 2) Tongue, 3) Bars, 4) Lower jaw, 5) Curb groove, 6) Corners, 7) Nose, 8) Poll.
Western saddles require a blanket or pad between the saddle and the horse's back. Proper placement of the saddle and blanket is important for horse and rider comfort.
The cinch on a saddle is what attaches the saddle to the horse. It is important for students to understand cinch placement and how to properly tighten the cinch on the horse.
Bridles and bits may utilize several pressure points on the horse's head and its mouth. Different bridles and bits will utilize the pressure points differently. The two basic classifications of bits are the snaffle and curb (the snaffle will be used in EQSC 141). The bit contributes to the overall control of the horse. The pressure exerted by the rider on the horse's mouth sends instructions, and the horse's reaction should be one of relaxation and not of fear or pain.
Lesson 4 Mounting and Dismounting Positions
A horse is traditionally mounted from the left side. When preparing to mount, the horse should stand attentive and remain still at all times. The students should maintain control of the horse throughout the mounting process by holding the reins at all times.
The rider should grip the reins and the mane with the left hand. Next the student should place his left foot securely in the left stirrup. With the right hand the student should grip the saddle horn and in one continuous motion lift his weight in the stirrup, swing the right leg over the saddle, and sit in the seat of the saddle. Then the student should place the right foot in the right stirrup. Before riding the horse, students should adjust the stirrups for proper length and leg position.
During dismounting the student should maintain control of the horse by gripping the reins throughout the process. The horse should stand attentive and still during the dismounting process. The rider should remove his right foot from the right stirrup, shift his weight to the left stirrup, and grip the saddle horn with his left hand. In one continuous motion the right leg should be swung out from the right side of horse and over the saddle to the left side of the horse. While gripping the saddle horn the rider should gently lower his body and place his right foot on the ground. The rider should then remove his left foot from the left stirrup, thus completing the dismounting process.
Webpage created by
John Cody Barnes
Graduate Assistant