Rules for cross country riding
Cross-country riding is an important part of basic riding training. A prerequisite for this is not only the saddle strength of the rider but also the horse that fits the rider. An inexperienced rider should never ride out with an equally inexperienced young horse.
As a guest in nature, a rider must always behave in such a way that he does not creates opponents, but wins friends. Only few riders have the luck to reach the riding area directly from the riding stable without having to cross busy roads. It is indispensable to master the basic rules of behaviour in the terrain in order to reduce dangers and risks as much as possible.
Horses, which are ridden into the terrain with less experienced riders, must be sufficiently active on a daily basis and be accustomed to road traffic, as otherwise accidents can occur In order to avoid tension and to re-tension the horses should be loosened for some time before riding in the track.
The rider must wear a shatterproof fall cap with three- or four-point attachment and correct footwear (boots or ankle boots). For safety reasons, saddle and bridle must be checked for condition and suitability before each ride.
Inexperienced riders should never ride alone. The company of a experienced person or a "horse guide" is necessary in any case.
Concreted or paved roads and paths should be avoided because of the danger of slipping and to protect the horse's legs, only be ridden at a walk. To avoid damage, ditches, embankments, footpaths, walking and cycle paths are avoided, as well as through rainfall or frost breaks softened paths.
The speed must be adapted to the situation and the terrain. When meeting walkers, cyclists, riders or motorists, it is necessary to transition through to the walk.
When riding on paths in fields and woods, the pace and pace are determined by the following criteria:
- Nature of the paths,
- Weather conditions,
- Clarity of the terrain,
- Training level of the riders,
- Training level of the horses.
If unforeseen damage to nature should occur during riding these must be reported immediately to the landowner in order to get a to agree on appropriate compensation.
For the communication of the group during a ride and for orientation for the other road users the following hand signals are given by the initial rider, which are then forwarded by the following riders:
- The hand raised for a longer period of time means: Slow down to a walk or to a halt.
- Repeated short raising of the hand means: unlock, approach or cantering after an appropriate advance notice of the horseman.
- Changes of direction on public roads and paths will be announced with the left or right arm stretched out in each case. The final rider gives the same sign to inform the other road users.
The riders may, if the width of the road and other traffic allows it, to
ride two next to each other with intervals of about 2-3 meters step. After several trot and walk strokes, in which the horses have become more and more loose, the first canter is ridden.
Each ride is intended to train the rider and the horse as well as to help the rider relax in the landscape and the well-being of the horse in the great outdoors. But first and foremost is the safety of all participants. Therefore, the requirements must be geared to the most inexperienced rider.
Particularly in cross-country, the following applies: "A chain is only as strong as its weakest link".
