Did You Mark National Equestrian Safety Day?

National Equestrian Safety Day was held on 24 March to encourage riders and those who work with and interact with horses to think about how they can stay safe.

The awareness day was launched by the Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund (MDIF), a charity established to help anyone who is injured while riding, or who is injured in any horse-related accident, last year.

This was the second year that the charity promoted the awareness day, with administrator and fund coordinator Rosemary Lang explaining that this is the perfect time of year to focus on equestrian safety.

“As the clocks go forward, more riders return to the saddle and competition season starts. This day is to remind equestrians to stay safe around horses at all times,” she stated.

The charity offers advice on a range of riding safety elements, from how to fit a helmet correctly to the importance of having properly fitting body protectors.

It also encourages riders to read up on tack safety, head protection and hivis clothing and accessories for you and your horse.

According to the British Equestrian Trade Association, you need to ensure that any high visibility clothing you buy for horse riding complies with the relevant European performance standard. Since 2009, all high vis accessories for riders are required to pass tests relating to their colour and luminance.

It’s important to wear your high-vis accessories whenever you’re out riding, even during the day, because it can enable drivers to see you from further away and therefore ensure that they slow down in good time before passing you and your horse.