• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Johnson County, Wy

Johnson County, Wy

MENUMENU
  • home
  • Departments
    • DEPARTMENTS

      Johnson County Government is comprised of various Elected County Offices and individual departments.   This section contains links to those offices and departments within the County Government structure.   Some departments maintain their own separate websites.

    • Assessor
    • Attorney
    • Building Facilities Manager
    • Clerk
    • Clerk of District Court
    • Commission Members
    • Coroner
    • County Agent
    • County Fire Warden
    • Emergency Mgmt / Homeland Security
    • GIS
    • Information Technology
    • Lake DeSmet Operating Department
    • Mikesell-Potts Recreation Area
    • Planning & Zoning
    • Public Health
    • Road & Bridge
    • Sanitarian
    • Sheriff
    • Treasurer
    • Rural Addressing System
  • Boards
    • Boards

      Board members are appointed by the County Commissioners.  Joint Powers Boards have both City and County members.  Board members elect their own officers and set their meeting schedules.  All Boards contain at least one County Commissioner serving as a member or liaison.

    • Airport Board
    • Board of Health
    • Buffalo Trails Board
    • Child Support Authority
    • Fair Board
    • Harold Jarrard Park
    • JC Community Juvenile Services JPB
    • Jim Gatchell Museum
    • Joint Powers Board – Justice Center
    • Kaycee-Buffalo-Johnson County Economic Development Joint Powers
    • Lake DeSmet Advisory Board
    • Library Board
    • Lodging Tax Joint Powers Board
    • Mountain Plains Heritage Park
    • Optional One Percent Sales Tax
    • Planning Commission
    • Predator Control Board
    • Recycling Center Joint Powers Board
    • Solid Waste Board
    • Johnson County Youth Camp
    • Volunteer Board Application
    • Sage Grouse Technical Team
  • COVID-19
  • Special Districts
    • Special Districts

      Special Districts are created either by Resolution of the Board of County Commissioners, by Petition of local landowners or by the State Board of Agriculture through a Petition of landowners.  All of the above require public notification and some may require a referendum.  The method of creation is  determined by the type of District.  WY Statute: 22-29-103

       Special District Board members are elected not appointed.  Ad Valorem Taxes may be levied for funding upon voter approval.

    • Cemetery District
    • Johnson County Fire District #1
    • Johnson County Hospital District
    • Johnson County School District #1
    • Clear Creek Conservation District
    • Powder River Conservation District
    • Powder River Fire District
    • Rural Health Care District
    • Senior Citizen Service District
    • Volunteer Board Application
    • Weed & Pest District
  • Links
  • Contact
  • Blog
You are here: Home / Departments and Elected Offices / Public Health / Safe Kids of Johnson County / Horseback Riding Safety

Horseback Riding Safety

Do your kids spend a lot of time around horses? Johnson County Safe Kids is a great source for vital information that will keep them safe when they ride. We recommend Safety Equipment Institute (SEI) certified equestrian headgear. You must also make sure your kids practice proper safety etiquette when handling horses.

Following are some tips on how to be safe while still having fun with horses:

Riding

  • Until you know your horse, confine your riding to an arena or other enclosed area
  • When your horse is full of energy, exercise him on a long line or in an enclosed area until he is settled and calm
  • When trail riding, never ride off until all riders in your group are mounted
  • Ride abreast or stay a full horse’s length from the horse in front of you to avoid the possibility of you or your horse getting kicked
  • If your horse becomes frightened, remain calm, speak to him quietly, steady him and give him a chance to overcome his fear, then ride or lead the horse past the obstacle
  • Allow the horse to pick his way at a walk when riding on rough ground
  • Give him his head by loosening the reins

Approaching

  • Always speak to a horse as you approach, as his vision is restricted directly in front and to the rear
  • Always approach at an angle, never directly from the front or rear; this is possible even in single stalls or other confined areas
  • Always walk around a horse out of kicking range, or very close behind with your hand touching the horse’s hip
  • Never walk under or step over the tie rope

Handling / Grooming

  • Always let a horse know what you intend to do; for example, when picking up the feet, run your hand down the length of the leg first
  • Learn the proper way to lift the feet and proceed cautiously
  • Work around a horse from a position as near to the shoulder as possible
  • Wear footwear that will protect your feet from being stepped on by the horse as well as protect your feet from objects such as nails
  • Never wear tennis shoes, moccasins or go barefoot around a horse

Leading

  • Make the horse walk beside you when you lead him, never ahead or behind
  • Don’t try to pull your horse
  • A position even with the horse’s head or between the horse’s head and shoulder is considered safest
  • When turning a horse, always turn to the right and walk around him
  • Never wrap the lead strap, halter shank or reins around your hand, wrist or body
  • A knot at the end of the lead shank aids in maintaining a secure grip when needed for control

Tying

  • Know and use the proper knots for tying and restraining a horse
  • Always tie a horse in a place that is safe for him and for you
  • Never tie up a horse using the bridle reins
  • Be sure to tie the horse to something strong and secure, such as a post in the ground, to avoid the danger of breaking or coming loose if the horse pulls back

Bridling / Saddling / Mounting / Dismounting

  • Protect your head from the horse’s head when bridling by standing just behind and to the left of the horse’s head
  • Use caution when handling the horse’s ears
  • Check your saddle blanket and all other equipment for foreign objects
  • Be certain the horse’s back and the cinch or girth area are clean
  • Set the saddle into position easily rather than suddenly
  • Pull up slowly to tighten the cinch
  • Check the cinch three times: after saddling, after walking a few steps (unfrocking) and before mounting; and after mounting and riding a short distance
  • Never mount or dismount a horse in a barn or near fences, trees or overhead projections
  • Remain alert as sidestepping and rearing can injure riders
  • When riding, wear boots with proper heels to prevent your feet from slipping out of the stirrups
  • Wear SEI-certified equestrian protective headgear

Primary Sidebar

Public Health

  • Community Resources
  • Nursing Services
    • Family Planning
    • Pregnancy and Birth
    • Immunizations / Vaccinations
    • Influenza
  • Emergency Preparedness
    • About the Emergency Preparedness Team
    • Prepare Your Family
    • Prepare a Survival Kit
    • Prepare Your Home
    • Prepare Your Pet
  • Safe Kids of Johnson County
    • Car Seat Safety
    • Bicycle Helmets
    • Horseback Riding Safety
  • Caregiving for My Parents

© 2023 Johnson County, Wy | Site by Vestor Logic