Instructions and safety rules for Horse rides

• All horses are well trained and healthy.
• Horses are not machines, they enjoy a ride, a friendly and considerate rider and also being with other horses.
• Our guides and wranglers are experienced and are here to help you make your ride enjoyable and safe.
• Nevertheless, accidents may occur, so here are some tips and instructions that will help you avoid accidents.
• Especially for those of you without experience, please keep the following points in mind:
• A horse is the best four-wheel, all terrain vehicle. They can handle almost any road condition, but you need to help them, especially balancing your weight.
• Sit upright, and help your horse by leaning forward when going up hill and leaning backwards going down hill.
• For a comfortable ride you should be able to stand up on the stirrups and be able to put a fist underneath you. Be sure your guide adjusts your stirrups.
• To keep your balance, your legs play the main role, balance your body by pushing on the stirrups, also by pressing your legs around your horse and tightening your grip on the horse. Should you need to hold on to something then hold on to the front part of your saddle, but never to your reins.
• To make your horse stop ask him by saying HOO! And re inforce it by pulling on the reins, if you want him to slow down also ask him and pull the reins lightly.
• If you want him to move ahead let the reins loose and ask him, re inforcing your command by touching him with your heals
• The reins are attached to the horse’s mouth or face , both are very sensitive areas so the number one rule is not to use the reins to support yourself or help you balance yourself , like you do with a steering wheel
• The reins should be used only to guide and stop the horse, also be light on your reins, using only the necessary force . At times you will need to loosen the reins when passing through a difficult spot, to let his head free to balance himself (like crossing the river).
• While in the trail, especially in the jungle, go in single file and watch for branches and trees that may hit you.
• The horse will move in the direction of his head, so if you need the horse to turn left or right then you need to first move his head in that direction
• Horses like other herd animals need to reassure their hierarchy in the herd. Especially mares, who may reassure their place by kicking another horse and the rider may find himself in the way of her hind leg. So watch out !!
• If your see a horse wearing a red ribbon on his/her tail, it means you need to be alert and avoid getting too close to his/her hind legs , this horse may kick other horses
• If you see your horse put both his ears back, this is the best sign they may be getting ready to kick so move your horse by kicking with your heels
• Keep your place in the line unless we are in an open field.
• Do not gallop your horse unless your guide allows you to do it or invites you to do it.

Tack, saddle, and mouth pieces used

The saddles:

The most popular work saddle in Costa Rica is called “ Maclera”, which is a Spanish degeneration of the name MacClellan , US Army Saddle, which was introduced to Costa Rica at the beginning of the XX century by the fruit companies. This saddle is the basic design of hacienda Pozo Azul saddle, which has been modify in dimensions and support systems to make it more comfortable for the rider and horse.

Other saddles used are the, or “ Tejana” ( western saddle), which is a much heavier saddle and both the topography and the size of our working horses make it of less popular.

The Albarda, is the original horse of Central America which has no wood saddle tree, instead is formed with leather on two top rolls of hay, it is covered with a full skirt to protect the rider on roughed country( usually the pacific coast) or without the skirt for the high plateau or the Caribbean plains. With this Albardas it is very important to use heavy padding which usually is made out of thick dry grasses sowed together.

Whatever the saddle we always use a crupper, one cinch at the upper thorax and a breast collar, without doubt needed because the topography

Mouth or Face pieces:

At Hacienda Pozo Azul we trained our horses to be handled without iron bits to avoid accidents due to mishandling and unexpected pulls on the reigns by inexperience guests. This requires more work with our horses by our trainers. Since Hacienda Pozo Azul owns a cattle breading operation, it is easy for us to train and even retrained horses by rotating them with this operation.

You will see two different pieces , one is a falsilla or jaquima ( a version of a jaqamore with a tightening devise), and a Bosal which is similar to a jaquima but gives some punishment on the chin by means of two low profile knots. This makes it easier to tie the horses without using the reigns and at the same time gives our wrangles

Horse Rides

Horse Treks Operator

Our Horses

Introduction