Avoid an Accident by Gaining Knowledge
Saddened by the recent loss of a 12-year-old barrel racer and heading into the busy lesson and clinic season, safety has been heavy on my mind. Becoming a parent brought a heightened awareness for my children’s safety with horses, as well as my own. This brought a screeching halt to starting many colts, riding most outside horses, or climbing on client horses who were misbehaving. My ego struggles with being viewed as a coward, but my devotion to my family knows those situations are simply higher risk, and no longer a good life choice.
By nature, I have always been a risk minimizer. My chosen competitive field was out of character for me, due to the unpredictable nature of the combination of horses and cattle. I coached youth and adult clients safely through the training and competitive process with no injuries. I have helped numerous people overcome horse related fears. I believe this is due to my emphasis on understanding horse behavior and its correlation to safety.
