18 Points of Riding Safety

1. Any horse, no matter how gentle, is still a large, unpredictable animal capable of inflicting serious harm.

2. Guests shall walk down to the corral to ride their horses. Do not drive or bike to the corral. Horses shall not be brought up to the guest cabins because flies and manure are not added attractions.

3. Guests are not allowed in the lower corrals. All horses are not as friendly as yours.

4. Do not climb or sit on the corral fences, gates or hitching rails. This may scare the horses and cause accidents as well as weaken the structures.

5. Always talk to a horse when you approach it. The horse may be asleep and will be startled by your sudden appearance. They may show their surprise by kicking you or pulling back. Wait for the horse’s ear to turn toward you and for it to make eye contact with you before you approach.

6. The hitching racks to the south side of the saddle house are reserved for the wranglers and their mounts. Please do not wander to that area of the corral. Please ask before visiting the shoeing shop. Your sudden appearance could cause an accident.

7. Do not tie your horse by the reins. Use your halter rope because it is a long walk home should your reins break. Tie your horse high and short, at its eye level and give it about a foot and a half of rope length. Use a mule hitch and if you don’t know it, ask your wrangler.

8. Do not tie your horse while working around it. Instead, wrap the rope around the hitching rail three or four times. If a horse is tied and something spooks it, it will panic upon hitting the end of the rope and may cause an accident. If the horse is wrapped securely it cannot wander but if it panics and pulls back the rope will be released.

9. When you are leading your horse through a gate, always push the gate away from you. This will prevent the horse from running into the gate and becoming wedged there, causing a serious accident.

10. There shall be no trading of horses amongst the guests. Horses are assigned to the best of our knowledge. If there is a problem, please discuss it with the wranglers.

11. Guests will ride accompanied by a wrangler. This is a big country and corpses are hard to find.

12. No smoking in or around the corral or while riding.

13. Be sure that your hat has a stampede string so that it will not come off your head. Flying hats can frighten horses. If you must tie an article of clothing to your saddle, be sure that it is secure. Have a wrangler check it if you are not confident. Flying clothing can frighten horses. Ask your wrangler before removing or putting on clothing while mounted.

14. Always stay behind your wrangler. They have very sensitive egos. They also know, however, where the ride is going and at what pace it should be traveling.

15. Wait for your wrangler after s/he has opened the gate for you. Not only is this common courtesy but it also helps to calm the wrangler’s horse while s/he is mounting or closing the gate.

16. Do not ride up on the horse in front of you. That horse in front may kick and seriously injure you or your horse. A good reference is to be able to see the bottom of the tail of the horse in front of you.

17. Always ride your horse at a walk the last quarter of a mile home. This helps to control your horse and to cool it down after the morning’s ride.

18. Speak up. Think critically and ask questions. Most accidents can be prevented.