Important Trail Riding Reminders
published 9/4/2007
Anything that makes finding you or your horse faster is safer.
Accidents can happen … we can’t prevent it but there are some things we can do to make helping each other after a riding accident as easy as possible. Savvy riders probably already know most of this but just in case there’s one new idea or reminder of an old one here…
- Get a simple pet i.d. tag with the name and address of the farm you own or where you board and attach one to each of your saddles. (Helps answer “whose horse is this” so folks know where to start looking.)
- Put your name and emergency contact information (in a sweat proof baggie duct taped?) inside your helmet. A “Help My Animals” note in there is helpful too, so people know who to call to feed and/or let dogs out. Why not add a xerox of your insurance card too.
- Program your cell phone today with an entry called ICE: Enter your numbers that are to be called In Case of Emergency. That way if you are unconcious or hurting, someone else can use your phone to call your people.
- Carry your cell phone on your body, not on your saddle.
- Remind each rider in your group to bring their phone.
- It’s not always possible, but is ideal to ride in minimum of groups of 3 so one can stay with a downed rider and one can go for help.
- Think “People First“and work to get the rider FAST medical attention. If the rider has possible back or head injury, play it safe call 911. They may not be thinking clearly and there is sometimes a window where they say “I’m fine” but it turns out soon they are not.
- Call and ask neighbors and friends for help to catch the horse and if needed ask them to post guard at any likely road crossing points (Good idea to have several local friends/barns phone numbers preprogrammed into your phone!).
- Ride with a whistle. If you or a friend are unable to walk out, it will be a big help in finding you faster!
