Safety Tips for your Dude Ranch Vacation

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So, you’ve decided to go to a dude ranch or on another horseback riding vacation, but you don’t actually know that much about horses or riding. You do know that riding can be dangerous. It’s a truism that if you ride you will eventually fall off. Horses can also bite, kick, step on your foot (intentionally or otherwise) and knock small children over while checking their pockets for treats. They’re big animals.

You might, thus, be a little worried about how you’re going to stay as safe as possible. Most ranches and outfitters have safety tips and run orientations, but knowing how to stay safe before you go is a good idea.

Safety Tips For your Trip

1. Wear a helmet. Please wear a helmet. You may want that authentic western experience (and there’s nothing wrong with switching to a western hat for a photo op if you’re careful). But head injuries were the most common cause of death among cowboys. Wear a helmet.
2. Wear proper footwear. The only time you should not wear boots is if you’re swimming with horses. Otherwise, boots. Every time. Not just when riding, but any time you might come into contact with a horse. Even that…