Horseback riding can only be fun if it is done safely. To try insure a safe ride for you and your friends, we are outlining some safety standards. These must be understood and followed by all participants and guest to D-Bar-A.

• Conduct yourself quietly and calmly around all horses.

• When approaching a horse from behind, move slowly and speak to the animal in a calm manner.

• Be considerate of your fellow campers and avoid behavior around horses which might cause others to be injured.

• Dismount to adjust clothing or equipment. 

Horses are normally quiet animals. However, loud sounds, sudden movements, and hitting a horse can cause the animal to run, kick, shy away and possibly injure you or another person at our camp.

• Always approach a group of riders at a walk. To do otherwise could be dangerous.

• When riding on roads, face the traffic on the left of the roadway. 

• Always enter and leave the corral or barn at a walk.

• Mount from the left side, keeping your body in close to the horse to avoid jabbing the animal with your toe.

• Always ride with at least one companion.

• Always obey instantly the command of the wranglers or horse foreman.

• Keep a horse's length distance between horses on the trail, and keep your horse in line. This will prevent horses from biting or kicking each other and endangering the riders.

• Remember a horse is a living thing, treat it with kindness and your ride will be a happier and safer one.

• All participants must wear a safety helmet on the rides.

• All riding participants must have a minimum leg inseam length of 24 inches.

CRITERIA FOR DENYING A HORSE RIDE

• Obviously scared and intimidated.

• Obviously out of shape.

• Obesity.

• Inseam of less than 24 inches.

• Improper clothing.

• Inability to communicate rules and procedures (i.e., language barrier).

• Not following rules or instructions.

• The weather deems it necessary (i.e., lightning, ice, wind).

RULES FOR TRAIL RIDES

• No one may enter the corral or barns without permission of a wrangler.

• All rules and instructions given by a wrangler must be followed for a safe ride.

• Helmets must be worn by trail riders.

• Long pants are required.

• Shirts must be tucked in and no loose clothing.

• Shoes are required. No sandals or open toed shoes. Boots or hard shoes preferred.

• Ponchos must have a belt around the middle.

• No clothing may be removed or added while on horseback.

• No canteens or sheath knives may be taken.

• Sit up straight and alert with the ball of your foot in the stirrup.

• You, the rider, will have primary control of your horse. We can't ride him for you.

For your safety, the wranglers have final say in determining who may not ride for physical or other reasons. We'd rather disappoint you than have you injured

We are concerned for your safety. However, horses are large powerful animals even though all rules are followed, because of the nature of the animal, no guarantees can be made.

It is the wrangler's responsibility to provide a safe ride for all participants. Occasionally, they may be called upon to make a decision that may disappoint a participant by denying that person a horse ride. Such decisions will be made maturely and without malice.

Last Updated   March 05, 2007