SAFE HORSES - SAFE RIDERS - SAFE HANDLERS

When new owners of horses, or their parents, asked for written guidelines for safer riding and handling of horses a few years ago, there was only one or two resources to recommend.

In the past two years we've been blessed with some excellent videos and reasonably priced books which touch on safety topics, or which are exclusively dedicated to safety. As a member of another organization I have been doing reviews for several years, and my first priority with any such resource is to be sure that the text matches the pictures. Often the safety advice is correct, but the video or photos show something else.

Since we all remember the incorrect photo long after we have forgotten the test, despite their otherwise good qualities and content I can't recommend such resources, and you'd be surprised at how many there are in that category. The books and videos listed here are at least 95% useful (nobody is perfect, not even experts and reviewers!). I am classifying them by intended age of content, although many older riders who are new to the sport can learn a major amount from material geared to younger riders. Many tack and feed stores stock at least a few of these, but if you can't find them locally, I have listed other places they can be found.

Website http://www.law.utexas.edu/dawson/ has a wealth of information about safety topics and horse-related lawsuits. It also features state-by-state information on requirements for fencing pastures and the text of Inherent Risk Legislation in the states which have this law.

FOR YOUNG RIDERS (9 Year reading level)
Safe Horse Safe Rider by Jessie Haas; riding and handling (1,2,3,4)
Every Time, Every Ride Helmet safety video (1,2,4) USPC Manual of Horsemanship - Basics for beginners by Susan Harris. Follows the USPC lowest three levels of ability, including handling, tacking and riding. (1,4)

FOR YOUNG TEENAGERS
USPC Manual of Horsemanship- Intermediate by Susan Harris. Builds on Manual 1 without repeating information (1,4)
Ground Handling Horses Safely - video, Washington State University (1,2)

FOR ADULTS
USPC Manual Manual of Horsemanship - Advanced by Susan Harris. Advanced level nutrition, conformation, teaching, riding, horse management, tack, etc. (1,4)
USPC Guides to Longeing and Bandaging (1,4)
Starting and running your own Horse Business - Mary A. McDonald (3) Horsekeeping on a Small Acreage - Cherry Hill (1,3) Especially good on practical things like safe fencing.

FOR INSTRUCTORS, OR OWNERS WHO ALLOW OTHERS TO RIDE THEIR HORSES:
Teaching Safe Horsemanship - Jan Dawson (2004 2nd Edition), Stresses accident prevention and risk management. (2,3)

Equine Law and Horse Sense - Julie Fershtman. Excellent discussion of ways to reduce your liability as a horse owner in practical language. (4)

Numbers after each book title indicate where to order the books.

1. United State Pony Clubs, Inc 4071 Iron Works Pike Lexington, KY 40511
Tel: 606-254-7669 Fax: 606-233-4652 Credit Card Orders.
(Ask for their excellent catalog; many other good books and videos are available.)
2. American Association for Horsemanship Safety Drawer 39 Fentress, TX 78622
Tel 512-488-2128 Fax: 512-488-2319 Web: www.Law.utexas.edu/dawson
3. Storey Communications, Inc PO Box 445 Pownal, VT 05261
Tel 800-441-5700 Web: www.StoreyBooks.com
4. Knight Equestrian Books PO Box 78 Edgecomb, ME 04556
Tel: 207-882-5494 Fax: 207-88209826

A NYSHC Competitions Health/Safety Guideline for Facilities/Management may be ordered by email: drumalavase@hotmail.com

Questions may be directed to New York State Horse Council Safety Chairman Dru Malavase at drumalavase@hotmail.com or at 2270 County Road 39 RD 2 Bloomfield, NY 14469. I can be reached at home at 716 657-7053 after 7:30 p.m. and on weekends