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...	A little horse sense can get you a long way.
...	Always check your tack thoroughly and make any necessary repairs before you head out.  Take along a little string, a pocket knife and strips of leather. Should your tack fail, you may be able to make temporary repairs and ride back home instead of walking.      Avoid riding alone.  If you have even a minor accident and you're alone, what started out as a nice ride could end up being a serious or life threatening predicament.      Wear hard-soled boots with a small heal.  Avoid boots with deep arches or large treads, they can cause your feet to get caught in the stirrups.   Always wear protective head gear.  A riding helmet can provide protection in the event of a fall, but you could also encounter a tree branch or other hazards and you'll be glad you had your hard hat on.  A COOL pair of shades can provide protection against ultraviolet rays, dust and dirt.      It was sunny when you left but about an hour into your ride a fast moving thunder storm comes right over your head.  No problem.  There are compact waterproof  ponchos that are small enough to fit in your shirt pocket.  In fact, everything mentioned here will fit into a fanny pack with room to spare.  Avoid back packs, they have a tendency to throw your balance off and they can get caught in tree limbs.      A long-sleeved shirt and long pants will give you a bit of protection from scrapes and sunburn and it helps to keep the bugs from biting you.      Warm weather brings insects and they can make riding miserable for horse and rider.  It may not be that bad when you first head out but as you get further away it seems like those little monsters are waiting for you.  So here's what you do.  Take a little bug repellent along for the ride.  If the bugs start bugging you, apply some repellent to your face and hands.  You can also apply some on the horse's face and ears.  You'll have a happier horse and a better ride.  Keep in mind that most animals don't care for the sound of aerosol sprays especially around the ears.  You can find repellent in small plastic pump bottles or in lotion at sporting good stores. Those little travel size containers are popular with fishermen and campers.       With the bugs out of the way, it time to do a little trail riding.  Riding along a trail can be very relaxing as long as we stick to the trail.  Woodland areas can be full of hazards.  The woods may have rubbish or natural hazards which may be hidden under vegetation.  Barbed wire may have been put up many years ago for various reasons.  The wire may be partially down, rusty and difficult to see.  You can suddenly find yourself tangled up in it and the result can be a disaster. Likewise with fields, the temptation to cut across a field can be great  but don't do it.  Tall grass will conceal barbed wire, rubbish, gopher holes and other hazards.  Keep in mind, it's not called tree riding or field riding.  It's trail riding.  Stick to the trail!      Horseback riding can be very enjoyable and a relatively safe form of recreation.  Just use a little horse sense, keep these tips in mind and you can have a lifetime of safe and enjoyable riding.
...	SEE YOU ON THE TRAIL!

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