Riding Regulations

Definition of a safe ride

A safe horse ride requires the following combination:

• A competent and confident rider wearing an approved helmet and suitable riding footware. Minimum - shoes with proper heel.
• A trained horse with a temperament appropriate to the level of skill of rider.
• Appropriate saddle for the ride (e g no stock saddle for jumping).
• Horse saddled and bridled correctly.
• Riding activity adapted to the level of skills of rider and horse.
   

Recommendations for members riding their own horse

• Choose appropriate horse.
• Wear an approved helmet ( AS/NZ 3838) and riding boots.
• Check your horse’s hoofs.
• Check girth again after mounting (say after 10 minutes ride).
• Start ride by doing some ‘flatwork’ if possible.
• Do not ride trails alone (minimum 2 riders).
• Don’t ride in the dark.
• Tell somebody where you are riding and when you expect to return.
   

Individual horse hire

• By competent members only and for period of max 2 hours and on HV property ONLY.
• Off Valley rides are at the discretion of the Manager.
• Renting a company horse is NOT a given right but a privilege granted only by special permission from the Manager.
• Individual riders to be over 18 years ( Minimum 2 riders to ride together) .
• Children under the age of 18 but over 10 must be supervised by manager or approved substitute.
• Swimming horses should be only by manager’s permission.

Trail rides on company horses

Trail ride and horse must be booked in advance for all trail rides – deadline 5 PM Thursday to enable proper allocation of appropriate horses by the Manager. Unfortunately Members booking after this time may not be able to be accommodated due to prior allocation. Even worse, late bookers may not even get a ride, because there are insufficient Supervisors rostered.
 

Guests – may – subject to being assessed by the supervisor – participate in walk rides ONLY regardless of their perceived or real riding capabilities. Repeat guests, with an extensive riding background, may be permitted on Trot & Canter rides, subject to application to the Board by the Member and assessment by the Manager only (not the Head Supervisor).
 

Trail rides are graded into two grades –

• Walk
• Trot & Canter

Walk Trail Ride - walk only trail ride for all ages.

• Up to 6 riders – 1 supervisor only
• Up to 12 riders – 2 supervisors
• Up to 18 riders – 3 supervisors
• Up to 24 riders – 4 supervisors

Children under 10 must be led by a parent or another adult with the parent’s written permission – on foot .
At the manager’s discretion, at the time of booking, if a child has had regular attendance at horse day in White Group and is capable of handling a horse at a walk the child may ride the trail unled.

Trot & Canter Trail Rides – walk, trot and canter trail ride for all ages.

Children under 12 years old must have had regular attendance at horse day in red group or at Manager’s discretion in green group..
All riders must be able to catch, groom and saddle their own horse.
Supervision – As per Walk Ride. 
  

General rules for trail rides

There is one Head Supervisor supported by other Supervisors and Wranglers as required.

Supervisors - Min. 18 years old:

• Competent riders only.
• Have thorough knowledge of company horses.
• Have thorough knowledge of tack.
• Be able to assess rider’s competency and match horse to rider.
• Have leadership skills.

Normally the Head Supervisor is the Manager, rural trainee or other adult competent rider with skills listed above, assessed and approved as Head Supervisor by the Manager.
 

Wranglers - Minimum 15 years old:

• Must have had regular attendance at horse day in red group – or be
• Competent riders assessed and approved by Manager.
• Must have thorough knowledge of general horsemanship and tack.
• Do NOT have authority to take out trail rides on their own.

Trail rides – procedures

Horses to be booked prior to ride.

• Fill in Diary (record book) details of planned ride:

Name of supervisors, name of wranglers, No of riders,
Horse injuries, damaged tack etc. , lost horse shoes etc.
Upon return – write details of incidents (if any). 
 

• Keep riders who are not involved in saddling behind gate/fence.
• Assess riders (physically, mentally and their riding skills) do not take their word for their own assessment if your are not sure.
• Select horses for riders.
• Tie up to baling twine only or to wire hooks.
• Saddle horses (supervisors wranglers and competent riders (under supervision) only) – careful with girth shy horses.
• Check all tack (on horses) for defects.
• Check horses for injuries (incl. hoofs).
• Make sure all riders wear approved helmet (Current: AS 3838) and riding boots or suitable heeled shoes – but not track shoes.
• Assist rider when mounting (check girth and length of stirrups).
• Bring spare lead rope halter. 
• Assess horse’s ‘mood’ of the day.

During ride:

• Check girths after mounting (after 10 minutes or so) prior to cantering & trotting.
• Ride across golf course and/or flat WALKING only.
• Trotting/Cantering - only if riders skills are deemed appropriate.
• Riders are NOT to ride off on their own.

Upon return:

• Tie up at baling twine only.
• Ask riders to take off saddle & brush, sponge their horse & check hoofs.
• Tack to be put in its right place.
• Saddle blankets to be left for drying (if fine day).
• Note any incidents in diary.
• Report incidents to riders relatives.

General:

• First aid kit to be permanently located at tack shed.
• Supervisor to bring back-pack containing: Wire cutters, first aid kit, bottle of water and aluminum blanket.
• Emergency procedures and contact details to be displayed inside AND outside tack shed.
• Never lead (from horseback) other horses – with riders mounted - by lead rope – unless by supervisor and in cases of emergency only.
• If in doubt whether it is safe– don’t do it.