Safety in the Saddle; RS-tor takes a Look at Common Problems Part 1

Safety in the Saddle

In the first of our two part blog series RS-tor takes a look at common issues causing riders to fall, and shows how to prevent them, with some help from RS-tor rider safety aid’s riders; Sarah Millis and Susi Rogers Hartley!

Bucking

Horses can buck for a variety of reasons; sometimes if they are uncomfortable in their back, perhaps due to their saddle; perhaps because they find a schooling movement difficult; and sometimes just as a result of exuberance, simply for fun! Sarah Millis, international dressage trainer and rider says, “Ride the horse forward as best you can, and try not to raise your voice or make a big deal out of the issue – try your best to keep your head up and your hands elevated and mobile. Assuming there are no health problems affecting your horse, just keep him busy when you are schooling, introduce movements progressively, and keep him occupied when riding, interspersing faster gaits when you are focussing on slower or collected work. After a buck, always ride him forwards confidently.”

 Spooking

A horse spooking in the sand school or out hacking is very common.

Spooking is a natural behaviour for our equines; as a prey animal the horse is constantly on the lookout for danger.

Susi Rogers Hartley, a Para rider who competes in Dressage and Show Jumping events, says, “It is very difficult to stop your horse spooking all together but it is important to give him confidence and reassurance through your riding, alongside desensitising him and exposing him to many different objects and environments where you can.

Susi always rides with the RS-tor as she says it significantly boosts her confidence when riding. She says “My horse is rather sharp and often spooks, and the RS-tor helps me to stay balanced without putting pressure on his mouth, which could exacerbate the situation.”

To find out more about the RS-tor Riding Safety Aid visit the website at www.rstor.co.uk and to read the next installment of our blog to feature advice on cat-leaping and rearing check back in with the RS-tor Blog next week!