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Safety and Welfare in Mounted Games
Mounted games is fast, and people sometimes assume that fast means dangerous. Done properly it is no riskier than most riding, and the welfare of the ponies is something our members take seriously. A bit of common sense and the right kit go a long way.
Protecting the rider
The basics are simple and they are not optional. A riding hat that meets the current standard, replaced after any serious knock, and a body protector for the racing. We would always rather see a beginner overdressed in safety gear than under. Our kit and equipment guide lists exactly what to wear and why.
Beyond the gear, good coaching is itself a safety measure. Riders who learn skills like vaulting in careful stages, rather than throwing themselves at the canter mount on day one, simply get hurt less. We build everyone up at their own pace for that reason.
Looking after the pony
A games pony works in short, hard bursts, so the gaps between efforts matter enormously. On a training day or at a competition we keep an eye on a few things:
- Workload: plenty of rest between races and an honest assessment of when a pony has done enough for the day.
- Heat and water: shade, free access to water and a careful watch on hot days, when a hard-working pony can tire quickly.
- Soundness: checking legs and feet, and never racing a pony that is off or sore to chase a result.
- Fair training: the work should make sense to the pony and end on a good note, as we describe in our bending training guide.
Knowing when to stop
The hardest and most important skill in any horse sport is knowing when to call it a day. A tired pony, a rider who has lost their nerve, ground that has turned hard or slippery, weather closing in: any of these is a good reason to stop. No race is worth an injury to horse or rider. The members we respect most are the ones who put the pony first when it counts.
A culture, not a rulebook
Rules and gear checks matter, but the real safety net is the attitude of the people involved. At our training days you will see experienced riders quietly helping newcomers, parents keeping an eye out for each other's children and coaches stepping in before a problem becomes a fall. That culture is something we are proud of, and it is a big part of who we are. If it sounds like your sort of place, here is how to get involved.