Jane Beshear

As a lifelong horse-person and First Lady of the Commonwealth, I understand how important the horse is to Kentucky. We have long been known as the “Horse Capital of the World” and to ensure we retain this title, we must focus on the health and welfare of horse and rider. This is why I am proud to support Saddle Up SAFELY, a rider safety awareness program sponsored by UK HealthCare.

All too often, riding injuries occur due to lack of education or understanding of equine behavior and proper riding practices. In fact, a current study shows that half of equine-related injury patients believed their injuries were preventable and due to rider error. Through Saddle Up SAFELY, UK HealthCare seeks to educate current and future riders about the hazards of riding and simple steps that can be taken to prevent accidents.

Often, riding injuries are attributed to a lack of experience; however, these accidents are not just incurred by novice riders. People who have riding experience are just as susceptible to injuries. Generally speaking, most of these accidents occur because of overconfidence and a lack of awareness in the rider. By learning proper riding techniques and horsemanship and taking the time to practice the safety measures in this brochure, riders of all ages and levels can improve their ability while limiting dangerous situations. Horseback riding is an extremely rewarding and thrilling sport, but it should be safe as well. Through Saddle Up SAFELY and UK HealthCare, we hope to make a great sport safer and more enjoyable for all riders and equine enthusiasts.

Sincerely,

Jane Beshear

John Long

Dear Fellow Equine Enthusiasts,

As chief executive officer of the United States Equestrian Federation and as chairman of the World Games 2010 Foundation, I know well the importance of the horse to the identity of Kentucky and support the Saddle Up Safely initiative sponsored by the University of Kentucky's medical arm, UK HealthCare, and the UK College of Agriculture.

A main part of the Federation's mission statement is to protect and support the welfare of the horse. This can be accomplished in part by teaching proper riding practices, wearing protective equipment, knowing your horse and its unique behavior, and learning the rules for safe riding.

In addition, after holding a Safety Summit last year, USEF teamed up with faculty and students of the UK Engineering Department to develop safer jumps, both for rider and horse. We are proud of our efforts but feel that more can be done to spread the word about safe riding practices.

As a horse owner and rider, I know well the feeling of being seated atop one of these tremendous animals and how easy it can be in the next minute to be unseated. My hope is that through the efforts of the Saddle Up Safely program and the University of Kentucky, all Kentucky riding enthusiasts can enjoy a safer and more rewarding experience on horseback.

Best regards,

John Long