With parade season in full swing, are you planning on riding in a parade with your horse? Riding in a parade can be a great experience, and it’s fun to be able to share our horses with others. These tips can help to keep both you and your horse safe during a parade.

Check Your Liability Insurance

You can be held liable for any damage that your horse causes to a person or to their property. When you take your horse into a parade setting, you’re increasing the possibility that your horse might injure someone or damage someone’s property. Even the most bombproof horses can get into situations that unsettle them. Liability insurance helps to protect you in case you are ever sued as a result of injury or damage caused by your horse. Before you ride in a parade, it is an excellent idea to make sure that you have good liability insurance coverage.

Prepare for the Parade Atmosphere

Before you consider riding your horse in a parade, make sure that he is ready to handle the chaotic atmosphere that he will face. Work with your horse ahead of time and expose him to distractions like baby carriages, balloons, loud music, loud vehicles, and bicycles.

Your horse needs to be able to stay calm, even when dealing with unsettling distractions in a close area. If your horse seems unsettled by any of the situations that you expose him to, then it’s a good idea to leave him at home or only lead him by hand on the day of the parade. You can always work on desensitizing him with the goal of riding in a parade next year, so make sure that your horse is parade-ready before you bring him.

Bring Your Horse Up to Date with Vaccines

You and your horse may encounter horses and riders from other stables in a parade. If your horse isn’t up to date on all of his vaccines, then schedule an appointment with his vet to make sure that he will be fully protected by the time that the parade comes around.

Use Studded Shoes or Hoof Boots

Your horse will probably need to walk on pavement during a parade, and standard horse shoes can be very slick on pavement. Talk with your farrier about the best option for your horse – it may make sense for him to wear studded shoes for extra traction. Hoof boots with rubber bottoms can also provide your horse with better traction than plain horse shoes will.

Enlist the Help of Handlers

It’s a good idea to always have at least one handler on the ground with you when you ride your horse in a parade. A handler can help to calm a nervous horse, and if your horse needs to be led, a handler can help to get both of you safely to the end of the parade route.

Riding in a parade can be a great experience, but it’s important to make sure that both you and your horse are prepared for what the day will bring.

Original Source: How to Stay Safe When Riding Your Horse in a Parade