Horseback Riding Safety and Injury Prevention for Young Riders

Horseback riding is a fun and popular activity that promotes self-esteem and builds confidence. As with any skill-building sport, it’s important to understand the risks involved and how to keep kids safe, active, and having fun. As new riders learn and practice horsemanship, they must remember that their safety and the safety of their horse should come first. Horses are strong, powerful creatures, and all handlers and riders must take proper precautions when interacting with these animals.

When Do Most Horseback Riding Injuries Happen?

Horseback riding injuries have the potential to happen in a variety of situations, but most of these injuries happen when a rider either is thrown from or fall off of their horse. If the horse is moving quickly or the rider becomes entangled in the reins and is dragged by the horse, the injuries can be particularly severe. However, serious injuries can also happen when you’re not in the saddle, such as if you’re kicked by a horse.

Horseback Riding Injury Prevention Tips

  • Keep Your Horse Healthy and Well Cared For: A well-maintained horse is a safer horse. Proper care includes regular vet visits, hoof maintenance, and expert guidance from professionals like trainers, riding instructors, grooms, farriers, saddle fitters, nutritionists, and even equine massage therapists.
  • Respect Your Horse’s Instincts: Even domesticated horses have natural instincts. Sudden movements, loud noises, or approaching them from behind can startle them, leading to unpredictable reactions. To stay safe, approach calmly from the front or side, never walk directly behind a horse, and avoid sudden movements or loud noises.
  • Never Ride Without Supervision: Riding alone can be dangerous, especially for children and beginners. A knowledgeable rider or instructor should always be present, and no one should ride an unfamiliar horse without proper guidance.
  • Check Your Equipment Before Every Ride: Riding gear plays a big role in safety, so make sure everything is in good condition before mounting. Girth straps, stirrup leathers, and reins should be securely fastened to prevent malfunctions. Young riders and beginners should use stirrups designed to release in case of a fall to reduce the risk of being dragged. And toe stoppers can help keep feet properly positioned.
  • Wear Appropriate Riding Gear: Every rider should wear an approved helmet to protect their head. Sturdy riding boots with a small heel provide ankle support and help prevent feet from slipping through the stirrups. And a safety vest can help absorb the impact in case of a fall.

Common Types of Horseback Riding Injuries

Head Injuries

Head injuries, including concussions, are a risk of riding horseback and can occur when a rider falls or is thrown from their horse. A concussion is an injury to the brain sustained when the brain hits the inside of the skull with force. The seriousness of a concussion will vary and may disrupt brain function temporarily or, in the most severe cases, permanently.

Concussions can come with a range of symptoms, including:

  • Blurry or double vision
  • Dizziness or trouble balancing
  • Fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Sensitivity to light and/or noise
  • Vomiting or feeling nauseated

Symptoms usually happen right after the injury but may take hours or even days to show up. If a concussion is suspected, the rider should be assessed by a doctor and cleared to ride before returning to their sport.

Riders who have sustained a concussion may feel fully recovered before their brain has actually recovered, so it’s important to take it slow and not rush to get back to riding. Riders who have sustained concussions also may be more at risk of reinjuring themselves or sustaining a secondary injury if they attempt to ride before they are fully healed.

Sprained Ankles

Sprained ankles are common among horseback riders and have the potential to prevent athletes from riding. Ankle sprains happen most often when a rider falls or is thrown by their horse, causing them to land improperly. A sprained ankle is more likely to occur if a rider has sustained a previous sprain, especially a recent one.

Use the RICE method to treat a sprained ankle:

  • Rest
  • Ice
  • Compression
  • Elevation

Seek out the advice of a medical professional as soon as possible in the event that the rider cannot walk on the ankle or is experiencing severe pain. An X-ray may be necessary to confirm the severity of the rider’s injuries.

Wrist Injuries

A rider who has fallen from or been thrown off of their horse may also land on their hand, causing wrist injuries to the ligaments and/or bones. As with sprained ankles, RICE is the immediate treatment method, but never hesitate to seek medical attention if the rider’s wrist is swollen or they are in severe pain the following day, as an X-ray may be needed to rule out further injuries.

Additional Horseback Riding Information