Riding Instructor Role and Responsibility

Lesson Three

Safety

Is it possible to guarantee a person’s safety around horses? Unfortunately, the answer is no!

There are so many uncontrollable factors that affect an interaction with a horse that it’s impossible to say a riding instructor can guarantee a rider’s safety. But there are many things we can do to greatly improve or eliminate an unsafe environment.

Your students come to you to learn. Their skill levels will range from knowing nothing to accomplished horsemanship. Regardless of their level, all will need guidelines and reminders about what constitutes safe horsemanship.

To create a safe environment your time and attention will focus on conduct around the barn, proper handling techniques, facilities, and ability of the rider, suitability of the horse and what to do in case of an accident.

You must also know the various ways in which individuals learn so you can present your lessons in the most effective way.

As horseman we all know and understand how sensitive horses are to their environment. We most likely learned this through trial and error, discovering that each action will have a reaction. This is the law of cause and effect. It is our responsibility as instructors to teach our students the importance of “conduct” at the barn and proper horse handling techniques.

It is not enough to teach the “how”; we must always also teach the “why.”

Think of the curious child about to touch a hot stove burner. Before he makes contact his mother grabs his hand and says…”don’t touch, it’s very hot. You’ll burn your hand and that’ll hurt”. Accepting his mother’s explanation, the child does not touch the hot burner.

A week later the same situation presents itself, this time however the child remembers he is not supposed to touch it. He knows he will get burned, but he does not truly know what that means. Very quickly he touches the burner. He yells in pain as he burns his hand. He knows he was told not to touch the burner, he knows he was told he would burn his hand, but still his curiosity got the best of him. Now he has the intense feeling of pain to confirm why he shouldn’t touch a hot burner.

The student’s brain can rationalize the facts about a situation, but may not truly know until experience confirms the knowledge.

As a teacher you’ll give instruction time and time again only to watch your student make undesirable choices, causing them to experience the exact thing that you were trying to help them avoid. These situations do not occur because they lack respect or trust; they are due to the human need to experience. Compassion and understanding are necessary during these circumstances.

We all have at one time or another had to learn by experience. Sometimes we were told not to do such and such, but we did anyway. The result was just what we were told it would be. We learned by experience; your students will, at times, do the same.

Around the barn there should be guidelines all will be expected to follow.

Remember talking about new client orientation? I recommended you have the guidelines printed and handed to each new client. You’ll find such guides a great help in providing a safe environment.

At the barn you’ll have to be the safety monitor.

Be sure that all those near or engaged in handling horses are properly clothed, including shoes. NO OPEN TOE SHOES! It hurts when you are stepped upon and are wearing boots…it can be the loss of a toe when wearing sandals.

Dogs, kids, adults and horses are all “potentials” for the creation of an unsafe environment. If you have dogs on the property be sure you know their temperament and level of obedience. Dogs are always the first to greet anyone entering a home or ranch. If you have an aggressive dog, it should remain in a secured area during business hours.

You should have a set of “standards” as to how horses will be handled. For example, each horse should be taken from the stall or paddock with a halter and lead rope. The horse should be led from the proper side and the handler should be capable of controlling the horse. If there is any question about the student’s skill, he or she should be assisted by a person qualified to assist.

The facility should be equipped with an area dedicated to grooming and saddling. This area may consist of a tie rail or crossties in the barn aisle. Horses should always be secured for grooming or saddling. Common sense tells us it is unsafe to allow a horse to be without a halter, grazing while we groom. Unfortunately I’ve seen this quite often, and such scenes are portrayed frequently in popular horse magazines.

All students should be required to demonstrate proper grooming and saddling techniques. These skills should be integrated into the students first few lessons. Even though you may feel a student is capable of preparing a horse to ride, do not assume he or she will always execute good horse handling skills.

Be an observer. Make “observation” priority one.

Your arena should be completely fenced and have gates that can be closed securely. The arena fencing should be “horse friendly”; no wire or broken boards, no protruding nails, spikes or splinters. The arena fence should be at least four feet high.

The type of lessons you choose to give, i.e. beginner, advanced, specialized event, etc., will determine the size of your arena.

You may also have access to a round pen. The round pen should be good size; I prefer a round pen of at least 40 feet in diameter. An adequate round pen allows many teaching options. If you were giving a lesson to a rider on the longe line, the larger round pen allows for faster movement, yet offers enough confinement to give you more control, and the rider a sense of security.

Covered Round Pen

When riders progress to riding off the longe line, the larger round pen provides the opportunity for the student to learn to guide the horse while minimizing the possibility of losing control.

The surface of both the arena and the round pen should compliment your chosen style of riding.

The discipline of cutting requires a deep sandy non-slippery footing; the deeper footing offers the horse the capability of stopping hard and turning sharp. Reining horses prefer a shallower surface; when asking for a sliding stop they want the arena surface to be consistent with the horse’s feet remaining on the surface.

Most other disciplines require what I call a standard working surface; a surface of 1 to 2 inches of cushion.

The arena surface must be maintained. It should be groomed daily; free of holes, rocks, debris or anything that could be hazardous. During dry months the surface should be watered to control dust, and during wet months the surface should be allowed to dry sufficiently for safety before student use.

It is a common practice for many ranches to “seal” the arena prior to an incoming storm. Sealing the arena requires the surface to be packed and smoothed by the dragging of a heavy steel beam - compacting the dirt to eliminate pockets where water could accumulate.

After a rain it is good practice to test the arena on foot. If the surface allows you to walk on it without sinking, then it will be safe to use for riding.

Do not take chances on a horse slipping; wait for a safe riding surface.

During inclement weather, horses are usually restricted to their stalls. By the time they get to out for exercise, they’ll be full of energy and ready to play. Play can be dangerous on wet and slippery ground.

Be sure your arena is safe, and the horses have been properly prepared for reentry into the lesson program.

Do not be pressured into allowing students to come for lessons when you know the horses are not prepared. You are not capable of controlling the weather, but you are capable of ensuring the horses are suitably prepared for work and have a safe arena surface.

The location of the arena and the round pen should also be taken into consideration. Both should be located away from street traffic, noisy equipment and turn out pens.

Why turn out pens? Because horses are herd animals…horses love to do what other horses are doing. A horse running and playing in a pen adjacent to your lesson will absolutely distract you student and your student’s horse.

All of the things we have discussed are environmental and can be controlled and changed for safety.

There is one area all instructors will encounter and it goes with out saying we cannot change it: the rider’s athletic ability.

When I speak of athletic ability, I am referring to the physical condition of the human body and natural talent of the rider.

Factors to consider when accessing the level of fitness are: age, weight and muscle tone.

What do you observe? Does the student look like she sits on the couch all day eating potato chips, or can she beat you in a 50-yard dash?

It may seem judgmental and politically incorrect to talk about this, but the truth is an over-weight, out-of-shape person will need more time to adjust to the physical demands of riding. They will need to move at a slower pace then a person who is physically fit.

The age of a student is important for two reasons. The age of a person will give you insight to how they learn (something we will talk about in detail a bit later) and the age of a person will give you an idea of how active or inactive the life style.

Often we forget that riding horses requires a certain level of physical fitness. It is basic knowledge that our bodies must be conditioned to perform. Watch your students for physical fatigue; make sure you keep them within limits—challenged, but not to excess.

The level of fitness will also determine in part the ability of the rider. How strong are her legs? How coordinated is she and how quickly can she learn to use the aids.

Height also plays a role in determining athletic ability. Shorter riders with shorter legs have to work harder to communicate with their legs. Riders with long legs will have an easier time using leg cues.

Always take the athletic ability of the rider into consideration when planning a lesson and match them with a horse that is suitable.

How do you determine if the horse is suitable?

The following guidelines will change when the objectives or goals change.

A beginning lesson horse should be an older horse who exhibits kindness; one who is seasoned in his training, posses the talent and ability to perform what will be asked, and will forgive the mistakes of a learning rider. He should be of average height, around 15.1 to 15.3 hands. He should have good ground manners and be easy to work around.

He should be serviceably sound. What is serviceably sound? It means that the horse is able to perform the required work of a lesson, but may require special care or pain management. Some of the best lesson horses require special care. In most cases these are horses that once competed, but due to maintenance or soundness issues can no longer stand the rigors of campaigning. Their talent and level of training can prove to be a huge asset in a lesson program.

Young horses simply do not make good lesson horses. I always receive a very clear reminder of how much time and training goes into an older horse every time I ride a two year old. Young horses are on the path of learning themselves; they need guidance and at times reassurance. What they do not need is to be matched with a rider who is not capable of giving them confidence.

I have seen countless attempts to match young horses with beginning riders.

Odd as it may seem, parents tend to think that the horse will last longer and the child and horse will bond and learn together.

It does not work…don’t become a victim of such nonsense. Neither horse nor rider improve skills…both find frustration and disappointment.

Everything we have discussed in this lesson will help you create a safe environment, but it cannot guarantee a safe environment. Therefore, you need an emergency plan.

Be prepared. In most cases you’ll need a basic first aid kit and not the paramedics.

So, do you have one? A human first aid kit? It should have Band-Aids, gauze pads, white tape, anti-biotic ointment, and instant ice packs. Tell everyone where to find the first aid kit.

When a rider experiences a fall from a horse, the likely hood that the air has been knocked out of them is very high. Always instruct the rider to stay where she’s landed, unless there are other immediate dangers.

Go to the fallen rider calmly, ask someone to catch the horse if necessary. Start by asking questions, such as, “Are you okay?” If she does not respond verbally and is conscious, then she has probably had the air knocked out of her. This feeling of not being able to breath will panic almost anyone. Keep talking to her. Tell her she just had the air knocked out; try to relax and breathe. It will take a moment, but the air will return.

Always try to determine any injuries before encouraging the rider to get up. Start asking her questions, depending on how you think she fell. If she fell on her arm, ask if her arm hurts, can she move it? Ask anything that will help you pinpoint an injury. If at any time you are unsure of an injury or the extent of injury always summon the paramedics.

You are a horse trainer not a trained medical professional. Do not attempt medical treatment of any kind.

Thankfully, pride, is the most common injury in riding accidents.

After a fall it is not uncommon for a rider to be reluctant to remount. If the rider is able, I recommend encouraging her to remount.

Longeing in a round pen.

If the horse was simply too fresh, longe the horse to reduce his level of energy.

If another horse was responsible for the incident, such as a horse playing in another pen, remove the horse from the nearby pen.

Once the rider is back on the horse, keep the rider close to you. Instruct the rider to do things she is already capable of doing. Show her she can be safe and successful on the back of a horse.

Use the rest of the lesson to reassure her. Continue having her perform exercise you know will be successful.

Falling off a horse naturally causes fear and negative thoughts and feelings. Plan future lessons that will reinforce the experience of success. With time, the rider will forget the fear and the fall.

Don’t be afraid to talk with a student about a fall; but be sure to do it in a positive manner. Explain that every mistake is a learning opportunity. Mistakes are only negative if we choose to view them that way.

Horses are accident-prone; colic, lacerations, fevers, swollen legs, and lameness are but a few of the things that may afflict a horse at one time or another. All horsemen have encountered these things with a horse in their career. Before we talk about what to do when you see these situations, let’s talk about things that should be occurring to help prevent them.

If you are providing lesson horses, these horses have a major influence on your income. How you choose to take care of the horses will reflect upon you personally and financially.

All horses should be trimmed or shod every four to five weeks.

Wait! Four to five weeks? Shouldn’t it be six to eight weeks?

No it’s four to five! Here’s why; the hoof is the most dynamic structure the horse has. It is responsible for supporting not just the horse’s weight but the rider also. By nature the hoof adapts to different types of environments, it becomes very hard in dry situations, thus resisting cracked walls. It becomes soft in wet circumstances, thus absorbing moisture and adding to the nutrition of the hoof.

The hoof grows and changes all of the time. As it grows the shape and the dynamics of the concussive forces placed not just on the hoof and the coffin bone encapsulated within the hoof, but the tendons and ligaments in the lower limb change with the change and shape of the hoof. In general horses will grow more toe than heel, and this will change the angle of the hoof and the pastern which in turn changes the degree and type of stress on the coffin joint, pastern joint, extensor tendons, and flexion tendons. Not to mention the changes that occur in the knee, shoulder, and back, and we haven’t even taken into consideration the hindquarters.

Somewhere a long time ago someone decided horses should be shod at six to eight week intervals. The idea may have been to reducing the cost of hoof care. Whatever the reason, no one has ever explained why six to eight weeks would be sufficient. The number seems to have just magically appeared and regardless of the fact it is never explained, it’s accepted.

I know horses should be shod every four to five weeks because I know it is imperative the hoof remain, as much as possible, the same shape, size and angle. I want my horse’s foot to remain the same so the dynamics of movement remain the same.

Over time, the extra hundred or two hundred dollars I spend trimming or shoeing is insignificant when compared to the costs of lameness, loss of use and missed shows due to neglected feet.

Bottom line is this: if my intention is to have a horse that will perform his job consistently, then it is my job to insure his hoof is as perfect as I can keep it.

Focusing and evaluating the performance of a horse is one thing all horseman have in common. Unfortunately paying attention to dental maintenance is something not all horsemen choose to consider.

We all agree that the horse is a unique animal. His mouth is no different.

The horse’s mouth is designed to cut and grind. He cuts with his incisors, or front teeth, and grinds with his molars or back teeth.

His teeth are unique in many ways. First there are two different types of enamel that form the teeth of the horse. Second, his teeth are continuously erupting until approximately the age of twenty-five. (That means they are growing.)

With the figure eight pattern of grinding the horse uses to chew the food he ingests, the molars wear and get sharp edges. The rear molar will form a sharp point at the very back of the tooth; the front molar may also form a point at the front.

The incisors also continue to grow and can become so long they inhibit the chewing of food. Sharp molars not only injure the inside of the horse’s mouth by causing sores, but also inhibit the grinding of food.

The jaw in a neglected horse will not slide as nature intended. Sharp points at the rear of the molars interfere with the flexion of the neck and head, and may also cause pain when the horse is being asked to turn or flex laterally.

The horse’s mouth may become so sore, a bit in the mouth may become intolerable.

There may be behavioral issues that are not training issues.

Improper food processing by the teeth may lead to digestive upset, weight loss and illness.

How often should you have a horse’s teeth floated (smoothed)?

The younger a horse, the softer the enamel of his teeth. Young horses wear points quicker. Horses under the age of five usually need to have teeth floated every six months. In this age group, at the age of two or slightly younger, I check for wolf teeth and if found, have them pulled.

Dental Points

Horses that are age six through 10 are usually in need of dental work every eight months. Horses 10-years of age and older usually need their teeth floated annually.

Regardless of the age of the horse, it is important to note that part of the floating process also includes a balancing of the horse’s mouth. Some horses may chew on one side more than other, causing teeth on one side to be longer. The mouth will then be out of balance.

A properly cared for mouth will translate into a happier, more easily trained horse, healthier horse.

Hoof maintenance and dental maintenance are not the only preventative measures available to help ensure a healthy horse. Regular de-worming is essential in every program.

Horses should be de-wormed every six to eight weeks. Virtually any of the over the counter paste preparations are acceptable.

Vaccinations help protect your horse from contracting diseases such as Tetanus, West Nile, Eastern and Western Encephalitis, Rhino or flu. Check with you veterinarian to see what is recommended for horses living in your area.

Even if you take care of your horse’s feet, teeth, parasite infestation and vaccinations you will still encounter a time when he isn’t feeling good. To help you determine what steps you should take you should first know what is normal for a horse.

His normal temperature should be between 99 and 101 degrees. Any temperature over 101 degree should warrant a phone call to the vet. Any temperature over 103 degrees should warrant an emergency visit from the vet.

The normal respiration rate is approximately 16 breaths per minute; normal pulse rate range is 30 to 40 beats per minute.

If the respiration and pulse rates are elevated when the horse is at rest in his stall, then he is telling you something is not right. Do not guess what is ailing the horse, if you are uncertain, seek the guidance of a veterinarian. You don’t want the liability problems of having neglected to seek professional medical assistance.

(For a more in-depth look at first aid for the horse, review the Fast Trac course “first aid for your horse” at www.learningabouthorses.com).

CHART SAMPLES

OWNERS NAME______________________ PHONE #______________________

ADDRESS ___________________________ CELL # ______________________

___________________________ OFFICE # ____________________

EMERGENCY CONTACT ALTERNATIVE _______________________________

VETERINARIAN _______________________________________________________

HORSE’S NAME_____________________________________ AGE ____________

BREED __________________________ SCARS ____________________________

ALLERGIES___________________________________________________________

FEEDING INSTRUCTIONS:

MORNING _____________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

AFTERNOON __________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

EVENING _____________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

VITAL SIGNS BASE LINE NOTES

PULSE __________________ _______________________________

TEMPERATURE__________ _______________________________

RESPIRATION___________ _______________________________

VACCINATIONS

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F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

Influenza

Rhinopneumonitis

Tetanus

E & W Encephalomyelitis

Ven. Encephalomyelitis

Arteritis

Potomac Horse Fever

Strangles

EPM

West Nile

Rabies

Other

DEWORMING

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F

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M

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HORSE SHOER: PHONE:

DATE

TRIMMED

SHOD

RESET

REMARKS

The last subject for creating a safe environment is understanding how different riders learn.

We talked about the law of cause and effect earlier. For every action there is a reaction. It is also true that for every piece of instruction you give there will be an attempt by a student to execute.

Having an understanding of the different ways people learn will help you be more effective; teaching each student in a manner that is with in her comfort zone.

There are three basic ways people learn: seeing, hearing or doing. Some will use a combination of skills to reach an understanding.

The visual learner relies upon her eyes to allow the brain to visualize how the task is achieved. A visual learner will be sensitive to the instructor’s body language, so much so, that if the instructor is not conscious of her movements and posture, she may unintentionally send a negative message.

If you give a student a task to complete and find she asks a lot of questions or want someone else to “go first”, there is a high probability they are a visual learner. When teaching a visual learner, use your hands to demonstrate the point, or pretend to be a horse and move through the pattern you are explaining. Allow the rider to see the maneuver executed by someone else first, but also challenge the student and help her to learn from her other senses as well.

The auditory learner will retain just about everything said to them. How something is said will have a very big impact. The auditory learner will interpret how something is said as either negative or positive. It is easy to speak loudly in an effort to be heard and have it received by the student as a scolding.

An auditory learner will strike up conversations constantly during lessons. She may even hum just to hear a voice. It is often challenging to teach this student to focus on the lesson.

You may find it helpful to have the student repeat what you have said and/ or have the student teach the task to another student.

The third type of learning is kinesthetic or “learn by doing.”

Usually very coordinated, the rider will experience difficulty in achieving a full understanding of a task until they have the opportunity to attempt to perform it. The rider will seem confused during the verbal explanation of a task and will not attain further understanding by watching another rider. She simply must perform it; then she’ll understand it.

Regardless of how riders learn, there are many other factors to be considered.

The age of the rider as well as physical maturity must be taken into consideration. Interestingly a child who has not reached puberty will have the ability to do any action when asked to do so with out much thought. They will simply do it.

During this period of life, the brain is mapping many skills and abilities. The brain is in its purist form. This is why it is so important for young children to participate in outdoor activities. They learn coordination and control of their bodies.

As our bodies reach and experience puberty, the brain learns in a much different way. The release of hormones, in short, blocks the brain from easily receiving new information. Now in the so called mature brain, when it receives new information it must first reference what it already knows, determine how it would be different and then judge whether or not it is good or bad and what the outcome may be. After such analysis, the brain may then suggest action be taken.

As you can see this can greatly inhibit the learning process.

Riders 45 and older have learned they are not invincible. In many cases life has taught them fear. This is especially true in riders who did not ride as a child.

The new adult rider has nothing for their brain to reference.

Riding is a unique experience; nothing else we do in life comes close to riding a horse. For this reason, the process of learning to ride is prolonged, but still very achievable.

It is natural for us to judge things as good or as bad, always giving more weight to the bad. We fall victim to categorizing each and everything we experience. This is why when riders experience things such as a bad fall, it takes a lot of work to erase it from the brain. First it must be proven to the rider that everything is okay. The rider must experience things being okay time and again before choosing to believe it is okay.

This happens because we do not know how to effectively use and control our minds. Our brain/mind does not know the difference between what it has experienced and what it has envisioned. It remembers all experiences at the same level.

Why is this so important?

I am sure you have heard the saying “what you think you will become”. Every thought that passes thru our minds is retained in our memory. Every thought that passes through our mind passes down to the cellular level of our physical body. Knowing that, imagine a person riding a horse in the arena and thinking, “I hope he doesn’t spook at the plant”. What happens? That’s right, the horse spooks at the plant.

The question is; why does this happen? The incorrect intention or thought was put into existence. The rider, by the thought, has set up the energy needed to make it happen, and in this case has unknowingly changed her body position and energy. As she approached the “horse eating plant,” the rider tenses her body, and her breathing changes. Her eyes lock onto the plant….all of this telling the horse: “DANGER, DANGER! There is something wrong with the plant, BE AFRAID!” And, of course, the horse reacts.

This happens all of the time; how do we teach riders to control their brains?

We tell them how to think. Instead of putting focus on the plant, the rider should focus on the horse. How the horse is moving? Is he straight; is his focus inside the pen? If the answer is no, that is the solution. The rider needs to keep asking the horse to stay and keep his focus inside the pen. If this is achieved, there will be no spook.

Horses always warn us when they may spook, we need to learn how to stay connected with our horses, how to use our minds to produce positive results.

Riding is eighty percent mental and twenty percent physical.

As a riding instructor, address the issue of teaching students to control the mental aspect and the physical will become easily achievable.

In short, the key to creating and providing a safe environment for both horse and rider is to be aware and be prepared.

Assignment

1. Identify potential hazards at your current facility and provide photographs of them.

2. Provide possible solutions to removing these hazards

3. Provide a written plan for maintaining your horse’s health that includes shoeing schedule, deworming, vaccines, etc.

4. You are teaching a rider how to ride a circle, describe how you would teach this maneuver to an auditory learner, visual learner and a kinesthetic learner.

Please send your report to cathyhansonqh@gmail.com