Home | Latest News | Updates | Topics | News Archive | Risk Assessment | For Everyone | For Businesses | Strategy | "Waxed Jackets" | Links | Search | About | Contact

Riding Safely

Essentials - For Horse Owners and Keepers

Essential safety information for everyone involved with horses...
 

"A horse is dangerous at both ends and uncomfortable in the middle"  - Ian Fleming, The Sunday Times (1966)

 


 

Our “Essentials” page is tailored to provide you with the level of safety information suited to your needs. 

We’ve tried to keep it simple, using just four headings:

 

“For Everyone” is for anyone who has anything to do with horses from riding school client to equestrian professional.  It provides information on protective equipment such as hats and body protectors through to tips on riding out and more.

“For Horse Owners and Keepers” provides information to help you ensure the health, safety and welfare of your horse or horses under your care and outlines your legal responsibilities.

“For Businesses” focuses on what you need to do to comply with health, safety, fire and environmental legislation and points you to some of the tools available. 

“For Students” provides more detailed information and resources for those studying for a career in the industry.

 

You can go directly to these now - under each heading we’ll list the areas covered.

 


 
Learning to Ride
 Ü Getting the right start
Rider Protection
 Ü Riding Hats
 Ü Body Protectors  
 Ü High Visibilty Clothing  
 Ü Safety Footwear  
Riding Out
 Ü Minimising the risk to you and your horse
Handling
 Ü Beware of kicks!
 Ü The Industry
 Ü Introduction
 Ü Key Legislation
 Ü Tools and sources of help
 Ü Equestrian specific guidance
 
For Students
 Ü Introduction
 Ü Extra resources
 Ü National Equine Student Magazine
 Ü Feedback

 
Rider Protection

Riding Hats/Helmets
 
Ü    Riding hats and helmets are just different terms used to describe the same thing - protective headwear.
Ü    Wearing properly fitted and secured hats saves lives. 
Ü    The British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) consider that hats to the British PAS 015 1998 offer the best in terms of shock absorbency, penetration and retention.

Other hats also considered to offer a high level of protection are:

The European Standard EN 1384
The ASTMF 1163-95
ASTM Snell E95 (SEI)
Australian/New Zealand SNZ 3838 1998

Ü    A high performance helmet standard offering greater protection from side impacts and aimed at competition riders was launched in 2005.  Helmets in accordance with BSEN 14572:2005 are intended for use in high-risk activities, and not to supersede the current standards.

Ü    Some organisations and competitions impose certain hat standards - check before you ride.

Ü    To work properly hats must must be fitted correctly by someone competent. In the UK, this will preferably be by someone who has received training in hat fitting through BETA or manufacturers such as Charles Owen. It is usual for anyone who has attended  training to receive a certificate.
Ü    You'll probably buy your hat through a saddlers, tack shop or riding school. Ask if the person fitting it has been trained.  Very often certificates are displayed. Remember your life may depend on having a properly fitted hat.
Ü     A riding hat is lined with microscopic bubble wrap. When a hat hits the ground or a hard surface the bubbles burst absorbing the impact. The hard shell spreads the area of contact over a much larger load bearing area. Anyone who has ever played with bursting bubble wrap knows that once all the bubbles are burst it's no longer any good for its intended purpose. That's why a hat should be replaced after being dropped on the ground or following a blow to the head, especially if the wearer loses consciousness.
Ü     Don't buy or use a second-hand hat  - you don't know its history.
Ü     Look after your hat carefully. Don’t leave it on the back shelf of your car exposed to the sun during summer – excessive heat can damage it. Similarly, leave it in a warm, dry place overnight after riding. Don’t be tempted to dry it in front of a fire or on a radiator. To reduce the risk of rusting of the metal components don’t store it in a plastic bag before it is dry. he expected
Ü     The expected life span of a hat for the average rider is five years.

Body Protectors
Ü    Coming soon...
Boots
Ü    Coming soon...
 
Protective equipment used in the workplace
Ü    UK: Any personal protective equipment (PPE) used by staff in the workplace is subject to the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations. The main requirement of the Regulations is that PPE is to be supplied and used at work wherever there are risks to health and safety that cannot be adequately controlled in other ways. Examples of “PPE” include: riding helmets, gloves, eye protection, high-visibility clothing, safety footwear and clothing affording protection against the weather.

 

 

 
Search Riding Safely for related information
By clicking on the "Google Search" button below you'll be able to find all related subject information on the Riding Safely website.  If you don't find what you want, you can create a new search by overtyping the subject description in the search box.
Tips - you will be taken to a Google results page.  When you have found the item you want click on the associated "Cached" link.  This will highlight the words will be in colour making them easier to find on the Riding Safely web page you will be taken to.
To return to the previous page close this window.
only search Riding Safely

What's been updated?  Find out >>>

Riding Safely is not responsible for the content of external internet sites