Horseback Riding [2021]
Horses are trained and ridden for practical working purposes, such as in police work or for controlling herd animals on a ranch. They are also used in competitive sports including dressage, endurance riding, eventing, reining, show jumping, tent pegging, vaulting, polo, horse racing, driving, and rodeo (see additional equestrian sports listed later in this article for more examples). Some popular forms of competition are grouped together at horse shows where horses perform in a wide variety of disciplines. Horses (and other equids such as mules) are used for non-competitive recreational riding, such as fox hunting, trail riding, or hacking. There is public access to horse trails in almost every part of the world; many parks, ranches, and public stables offer both guided and independent riding. Horses are also used for therapeutic purposes both in specialized para-equestrian competition as well as non-competitive riding to improve human health and emotional development.
horseback riding
In addition to the classical Olympic events, the following forms of competition are seen. In North America they are referred to as "English riding" in contrast with western riding; elsewhere in the world, if a distinction is necessary, they are usually described as "classic riding":
Western riding evolved from the cattle-working and warfare traditions brought to the Americas by the Spanish Conquistadors, and both equipment and riding style evolved to meet the working needs of the cowboy on ranches in the American West.
The most noticeable feature of western style riding is the western saddle, which has a substantial saddle tree that provides support to horse and rider when working long hours in the saddle. The western saddle features a prominent pommel topped by a horn (a knob used for dallying a lariat after roping an animal), wide stirrups, and in some cases, both front and back cinches. The depth of the seat may depend on the activity, a deeper seat used for barrel racing or cutting cows or a more shallow seat for general ranch riding or Steer wrestling.
Handling, riding and driving horses have inherent risks. Horses are large prey animals with a well-developed flight or fight instinct able to move quickly and unexpectedly. When mounted, the rider's head may be up to 4 m (13 ft) from the ground, and the horse may travel at a speed of up to 65 km/h (40 mph).[12] The injuries observed range from very minor injuries to fatalities.
A study in Germany reported that the relative risk of injury from riding a horse, compared to riding a bicycle, was 9 times higher for adolescents and 5.6 times higher for younger children, but that riding a horse was less risky than riding a moped.[13] In Victoria, Australia, a search of state records found that equestrian sports had the third highest incidence of serious injury, after motor sports and power boating.[14] In Greece, an analysis of a national registry estimated the incidence of equestrian injury to be 21 per 100,000 person-years for farming and equestrian sports combined, and 160 times higher for horse racing personnel. Other findings noted that helmets likely prevent traumatic brain injuries.[15]
Among 36 members and employees of the Hong Kong Jockey Club who were seen in a trauma center during a period of 5 years, 24 fell from horses and 11 were kicked by the horse. Injuries comprised: 18 torso; 11 head, face or neck; and 11 limb.[26] The authors of this study recommend that helmets, face shields and body protectors be worn when riding or handling horses.
Horseback riding is one of the most dangerous sports, especially in relation to head injury. Statistics from the United States, for example, indicate that about 30 million people ride horses annually.[30] On average, about 67,000 people are admitted to the hospital each year from injuries sustained while working with horses.[31] 15,000 of those admittances are from traumatic brain injuries. Of those, about 60 die each year from their brain injuries.[32] Studies have found horseback riding to be more dangerous than several sports, including skiing, auto racing and football.[22] Horseback riding has a higher hospital admittance rate per hours of riding than motorcycle racing, at 0.49 per thousand hours of riding and 0.14 accidents per thousand hours, respectively.[22]
Head injuries are especially traumatic in horseback riding. About two-thirds of all riders requiring hospitalization after a fall have sustained a traumatic brain injury.[33] Falling from a horse without wearing a helmet is comparable to being struck by a car.[34] Most falling deaths are caused by head injury.[34]
The use of riding helmets substantially decreases the likelihood and severity of head injuries. When a rider falls with a helmet, he or she is five times less likely to experience a traumatic brain injury than a rider who falls without a helmet.[33] Helmets work by crushing on impact and extending the length of time it takes the head to stop moving.[35] Despite this, helmet usage rates in North America are estimated to be between eight and twenty percent.[36]
Many organizations mandate helmet use in competition or on show grounds, and rules have continually moved in the direction of requiring helmet use. In 2011, the United States Equestrian Federation passed a rule making helmet use mandatory while mounted on competition grounds at U.S. nationally rated eventing competitions.[39] Also in 2011, the United States Dressage Federation made helmet use in competition mandatory for all riders under 18 and all riders who are riding any test at Fourth Level and below.[40] If a rider competing at Prix St. Georges and above is also riding a test at Fourth Level or below, he or she must also wear a helmet at all times while mounted.
The idea that riding a horse astride could injure a woman's sex organs is a historic, but sometimes popular even today, misunderstanding or misconception, particularly that riding astride can damage the hymen.[41] Evidence of injury to any female sex organs is scant. In female high-level athletes, trauma to the perineum is rare and is associated with certain sports (see Pelvic floor#Clinical significance). The type of trauma associated with equestrian sports has been termed "horse riders' perineum".[42] A case series of 4 female mountain bike riders and 2 female horse riders found both patient-reported perineal pain and evidence of sub-clinical changes in the clitoris;[43] the relevance of these findings to horse riding is unknown.
In men, sports-related injuries are among the major causes of testicular trauma. In a small controlled but unblinded study of 52 men, varicocele was significantly more common in equestrians than in non-equestrians.[44] The difference between these two groups was small, however, compared to differences reported between extreme mountain bike riders and non-riders,[45] and also between mountain bike riders and on-road bicycle riders.[46] Horse-riding injuries to the scrotum (contusions) and testes (blunt trauma) were well known to surgeons in the 19th century and early 20th century.[47] Injuries from collision with the pommel of a saddle are mentioned specifically.[47]
Commercially guided horseback riding is a great way to explore the park without needing to bring your own horse. Suitable for new riders and beginners, it may even nurture a life-long passion! Guided outings in the park are only available through authorized operators with a commercial use authorization from the National Park Service.
There is no more genuine way to experience Shenandoah National Park than on horseback. A guided ride through a wooded trail on a mode of transportation yet to be improved upon by any technology offers an entirely new perspective.
No matter what your skill level, our horseback riding experiences allow you to explore the Ozarks through the eyes of early settlers, discovering areas of the park not seen by the tram or from walking and biking trails. You can enjoy our one-hour ride or our 2.5-hour lunch ride.
Trail rides are a great addition to a family vacation. What kid (even an all grown-up one) doesn't dream of riding a horse? Here in Minnesota, you'll find plenty of places to mount a steed and enjoy a leisurely ride under the guidance of a wrangler, who can offer basic tips to riding newbies.
To assist us in making a good equine match, and to provide an exemplary experience, please provide height, weight, experience, discipline if you are an experienced rider (ie: foxhunting, showing, eventing, reining, polo, roping, cutting, trail riding, endurance, etc.) and tack preference (English or Western) for each rider as well as ages of children. All minors must be accompanied by a parent.
The Field and Stream Trail Ride is our most requested equine adventure. Plan to amble through our fields and valleys, explore babbling creeks and water crossings and climb into the foothills. We often encounter wildlife as we explore the foot of the mountain that establishes the border to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Prior to the ride, our experienced instructors will assist you in assessing your current riding skills so the ride may be tailored to your experience. For western or English riders of every ability, ages eight and up.
Blackberry Pony Time is designed for children of all ages and their families. This confidence building experience includes an introduction to grooming and leading a mini horse or pony. Each child will have leadline time on horseback.
Discover our mountains from horseback! For accomplished riders, advanced English or Western, currently riding fit, capable of posting the trot and cantering, confident over steep terrain and water crossings. If you are an active rider (riding weekly) and seek a challenge, this ride is for you. Be prepared for some extreme terrain changes and possible wildlife sightings. Your guide will choose a suitable spot to enjoy a picnic meal. For ages 18 and up.
This is the ULTIMATE horseback ride on the beach in the cool evening for riding horses in the Gulf of Mexico to the Laguna Madre Bay. We ride horses along the surf before crossing over sand dunes to the remote bay-side of the Island where we often see beautiful sand dunes and wildlife. The ride is 1.5 hours long and we seasonally adjusting the ride time for your perfect evening horseback riding experience. 041b061a72