As a result of many requests, the Horse Safety Australia SOPs for beginner trail rides are available here as a download.

There are many reasons for the way beginner trail rides are described through these SOPs. They are based on our Standards for Group Riding Programs, the AHIC Code of Practice and the accumulation of many years of experience of a large number of good operators. This is not to say that there are not other ways of running trail rides, however, we believe that the details in these SOPs cover general principles basic to all such activities involving beginner riders. Of course, appropriate horses, good weather and terrain, and most importantly informed, qualified and dedicated staff are fundamental parts of a safe and enjoyable experience on a horse.

STANDARDS  FOR HORSERIDING PROGRAMS

The Horse Safety Australia Standards for Group Riding Programs is available for download here.

HELMETS

Please note that where this document mentions that riders must wear ASNZ3838 helmets  OR EQUIVALENT this refers to the American helmets:

ASTM F1163 or

ONLY the European “BSEN1384″ with this ‘Kitemark”

Standards Australia has stated that the monitoring processes for the (non kitemarked) EN1384 helmets are not equivalent to the Australian 3838 helmet requirements, so just the designation EN1384 alone is not considered enough by Horse Safety Australia. The extra certification is also  recommended by the British Horse Society.