1.5 Protective Equipment

Barn Maintenance

To avoid slips, trips and falls for cowboy and horse:

• Keep horse barn free of debris and trash.
• Clean up manure in walkways.
• Make sure cowboy break areas, barn and saddle rooms are clean, neat and swept out on a regular basis.
  

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What are your feedyard’s protocols for cleaning the barn and stalls?

Gates

Gates are a major cause of injuries to both horse and rider. Leaning over is hard on the pen riders’ backs and certainly is hard on the horses’ backs.

“Nearly everyone mentions problems with gates when asked about dangers to horse and rider on the feedlot.” (Feedyard Safety Expert)

Gates with gate rods are better than chains. Always be aware of where the gate rods are in relationship to reins, back cinches or stirrups. Horse tack caught by gate rods can cause injury to both horse and rider.  This picture shows an injury caused by a gate rod.

Opening and Closing

It doesn’t matter how you go through the gate; whether forward or backward pushing away or pulling toward you.

• Keep the horse close to the gate and hang onto the gate as you open and close it.
• Make sure there is plenty of room to move through the gate.

Don’t pull the horse to the gate, it is hard on the horse’s back.

• The horse should be able to side pass to the gate.

Thrown gates may bounce back and hit the horse or rider.

Always chain gates securely instead of draping chains.

This 4 mins video demonstrates how to open and close a gate while riding a horse.

**Is this a good video?? -Deana**