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Always safe throughout your life with horses: we’ve put together everything you need to know for a safe everyday life with your horses.
Acting responsibly around your horse
Serious accidents in equestrian sports have become less common, thanks in particular to increasingly sophisticated safety systems. According to statistics, in Germany, an accident involving a horse occurs approximately every 17 minutes. This figure includes not only riding accidents, but also those that happen while handling horses—which are significantly more frequent. Fortunately, most of these incidents end without serious consequences.
In everyday life with horses, there are several basic safety rules that can greatly reduce risks. By acting with awareness and care—whether in the stable, on the pasture, in the trailer, or out on a ride—you can make a big difference in keeping both yourself and your horse safe.
Trust as the foundation for greater safety
Mutual trust forms the basis of safety—both while riding and in the stable. It’s essential to get to know every new horse thoroughly and to take your time doing so. As flight animals, horses react differently than humans or dogs. Their natural instinct is to flee immediately when frightened. This instinct can lead to safety risks, which can be minimized through mutual understanding and trust.
With the guidance of a trainer and through specialized courses, you can begin to build this foundation. Many offer desensitization and safety training programs that help horses learn to cope with the “scary things” of everyday life. However, it’s crucial that horse owners remain consistent in applying what they’ve learned and regularly reinforce it. By reflecting on critical situations, owners can identify potential safety risks for their horses and work to reduce them together.
These efforts start with grooming, extend to mounting and arena riding, and continue to trail riding, pasture walks, and even transport.
A horse needs its handler as a leader—someone it can trust and rely on. In turn, the rider gains confidence and safety in all stable situations by understanding the horse’s perspective and anticipating its reactions. This reduces stress for both sides and ensures a maximum level of safety.
Safe care of your horse
When grooming a horse, accidents can happen quickly. Often, the handler is already thinking about riding and may not notice how nervous the horse is at that moment. As a rule, it’s important to assess how the horse feels that day before beginning any grooming activity. Designated grooming areas with enough space to move allow the handler to step aside in an emergency. In a stall, this is often not possible, which can lead to dangerous situations and accidents if the horse is startled.
It is also crucial to emphasize that clutter of any kind has no place on a riding facility. Even a carelessly left lead rope can become a serious tripping hazard, triggering a chain reaction that can cause serious injuries to both horse and rider. The more mess there is, the higher the risk of accidents. Contributing factors include carelessly left items such as halters, ropes, and reins, which can become real hazards. These should be stored immediately after use in a tack room or personal saddle locker.
And let’s be honest—do we all remember the correct knots for tying horses? They are extremely important for ensuring maximum safety in emergencies. Long-time horse owners also often forget basic safety rules, such as never standing directly in front of or behind the horse, as this places you in its blind spots, which can startle the horse. It’s worthwhile to regularly refresh these basic rules in your own handling.
Another key point for safe horse care is the use of appropriate products. If a horse is sensitive to sprays, these should be avoided or introduced slowly and carefully. With any new grooming product, careful testing is essential, as the horse may show psychological or physical reactions. Ignoring these reactions can lead to long-term issues, such as allergies. Always check ingredients carefully and choose products that are as natural as possible, with minimal additives. More is not better when it comes to horse care.
Proper care of equipment also contributes to maximum safety in everyday riding. Worn or broken reins or stirrup leathers can pose a significant risk, which can be minimized through careful and regular maintenance. Nevertheless, the condition of all gear should always be monitored and replaced in time if necessary.
The author
Born in 1983 in Mühldorf am Inn, I discovered my passion for writing, culture, horses, and travel early on. After graduating from high school and earning a B.A. in Cultural Studies, I began my journalism career in 2007. My article on Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum's European Championship victory received multiple awards. Since then, I have written for over 30 specialist magazines, contributed to book projects such as Selected Stallions of Germany, and managed PR campaigns. Additionally, I focus on travel journalism, including my series Tournament Hopping.
Alexandra Koch
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