By Harriette Halepis

Horses can make some of the best companions. Learning how to ride a horse means exploring your world at the whim of a semi-wild creature – what could be more exhilarating? While those that enjoy equestrian sports relish the thought of riding into the sunset, sometimes accidents can happen at the worst possible moments. When a person on horseback takes a tumble, the consequences are often more than slightly dire.

Since most horses tend to be a great deal taller than most riders, falling from a horse can mean a lot of broken bones. In some cases it can even mean spinal injuries. If this type of accident occurs inside of a ring, then emergency aid can be applied right away. However, the rider that falls while exploring mountainous terrain or a rocky cliff might be in for a long wait. Even if other people know the path that a rider intends to take while out for a short ride, rescue help might not arrive for hours after the initial fall. In addition, many riders are actually dragged by a startled horse causing them to veer drastically from the path at hand. In this case, looking for a rider can take more than hours… it can take days.

Most injuries of this sort must be treated right away. Otherwise, minor injuries can turn into life threatening wounds. Up until this point, there was no way for a rescue team to locate a lost rider. Today, GPS technology exists, which makes finding someone a lot easier. Some GPS trackers come with panic buttons that can be pressed in case of an emergency. Others simply track the movements of a particular person, which can be very helpful if that person has not returned to their original destination at the expected time. Both trackers are lightweight, easily portable, and life-saving.

Should you fall off of a horse during a ride, it is best not to move at all. Do not try to get up, walk, or crawl in any direction if you think that you may have suffered major injuries. Most injuries must be kept immobile if they are to heal at all. Instead, stay where you have fallen, wait for help to arrive, and then try to explain to rescue workers the exact cause of your accident. If you happen to have a GPS tracker on you at the time of your fall, then you shouldn’t have to wait too long for help to arrive. Horseback riding can be a lot of fun, but it can also be dangerous. Make sure that you carry a GPS tracker with you on your next ride…you never know when you might fall from high.