SAFETY PROTOCOLS at JL Performance Horses

Dressing for Safety and Success

At JL Performance Horses, we believe every great ride begins with the right gear. Whether you're leading a pony to the paddock or learning to post the trot, what you wear directly impacts your safety, comfort, and control—and sets the tone for positive horsemanship habits.

Footwear: The Foundation of Safety

Proper footwear is essential both on the ground and in the saddle:

All riders must wear riding boots with a hard toe, firm sole, and a defined heel (usually around 1 inch). This helps prevent feet from slipping through the stirrups and protects against accidental hoof contact.
Acceptable options include paddock boots, tall boots, or western boots—depending on your discipline.
Crocs, sandals, or open-toe shoes are never permitted in the barn, paddocks, or arenas.

Even when you're not riding, sturdy, closed-toe shoes are a must when handling or walking near horses.

Clothing: Practical and Safe

Riders should wear:

Fitted riding pants, breeches, or jeans that offer flexibility without slipping or bunching.
Close-fitting tops that won't catch on tack or barn equipment.
Weather-appropriate layers, such as light sun-protective shirts in summer or insulated jackets in winter.
Long hair should be tied back, and jewelry should be kept minimal for safety.

Loose or dangling clothing can be a hazard, especially around young or sensitive horses.

Body Protectors: Added Protection, Extra Confidence

We strongly encourage riders—especially those jumping or riding young, green, or project horses—to wear a properly fitted body protector. These vests are designed to:

Absorb shock during a fall or impact.
Protect the spine, ribs, and internal organs.
Offer peace of mind during more advanced or unpredictable riding situations.

Look for body protectors that meet ASTM or BETA Level 3 certification standards. Our instructors are happy to assist with fit checks and trusted brand recommendations.

Starting Out? We’ve Got You Covered

When you're new to riding, we don’t expect you to own all the safety equipment right away. JL Performance Horses has loaner helmets and will guide you in what to wear or borrow during your early lessons.

As you progress and riding becomes a bigger part of your life, it’s best to plan on gradually investing in your own certified helmet, boots, and body protector. Our staff is always happy to help you find well-fitting, safe, and affordable gear that grows with your riding journey.

Safety Is a Culture, Not a Checklist

At JL Performance Horses, we instill a culture of safety from day one. We believe in building strong foundations—for horsemanship and life. That means creating an environment where safety is respected, good habits are reinforced, and riders of all levels are empowered to ride with confidence.

Kennis Fairfax, horse riding, JL Performance Horses, Dutchess County, NY

Helmet Safety & Fit: Protecting Every Rider at JL Performance Horses

At JL Performance Horses, safety is always our top priority—and that starts with proper helmet use. Every rider, regardless of age or experience, is required to wear a certified equestrian helmet while mounted.

Certified Helmets Only

We follow best practices and national safety guidelines, which require that helmets must:

Be specifically designed for horseback riding (bike or multi-sport helmets are not allowed)
Be properly certified by an established safety authority such as:
ASTM/SEI (U.S.)
VG1 or PAS015 (Europe)
Be securely fastened and correctly fitted at all times

These standards ensure the helmet is built to withstand the unique forces and impact scenarios involved in equestrian activities—something bike or recreational helmets simply are not designed for.

Don’t Own a Helmet? We’ve Got You Covered

JL Performance Horses provides a selection of loaner helmets for students who are just getting started or don’t yet own one. These helmets are routinely cleaned, inspected, and maintained to ensure they meet safety standards.

When you're ready to purchase your own helmet, our knowledgeable staff is happy to help with guidance on fit, brands, and features that match your riding goals. Choosing the right helmet is an important decision—and we're here to make it easy.

Proper Fit = Real Protection

For a helmet to do its job, it must be properly fitted:

It should sit level on the rider’s head, covering the forehead without tipping forward or backward.
It should feel snug, but not tight, and stay firmly in place even during movement.
The chin strap must be securely fastened, lying flat and comfortably under the chin.

Safety You Can Trust

Head injuries are the leading cause of serious injury in horseback riding—but studies show that wearing a certified, properly fitted helmet reduces the risk of traumatic brain injury by up to 80%.

At JL Performance Horses, we believe every ride should be safe, positive, and empowering. It all starts with the right helmet—and the right team to help you wear it with confidence.

SAFETY IS OUR TOP PRIORITY

At JL Performance Horses, rider safety is our top priority—especially when it comes to head injuries and concussions.

Even seemingly mild head injuries require careful attention and adequate time for recovery. Without proper healing, symptoms such as difficulty thinking, fatigue, and poor school performance can linger and even worsen. More seriously, if a rider suffers another head injury before fully recovering, the consequences can be severe and long-lasting. The brain—particularly in children and young adults—is extremely sensitive to repeated trauma.

Today, we know that recovery time from a concussion varies widely from person to person.

Gone are the days of a “one-size-fits-all” rest period. Instead, medical experts now recommend a graded return to activity approach. This means that before a rider returns to horseback riding, they must first be able to perform physical activities that mimic riding—without any symptoms.

Only once they can comfortably handle basic riding skills should they begin returning to full lessons or competitive levels.

We support and follow this careful, step-by-step process to ensure our riders’ health and safety come first—every time.

Concussion Assessment Form

Winter Weather Safety: Caring for Horses and Riders at JL Performance Horses

At JL Performance Horses, the health and safety of both our horses and riders come first—especially during the winter months. Cold temperatures and wind can create dangerous conditions that we monitor closely.

Wind chill is more than just a number—it reflects how cold it feels when wind and low temperatures combine. For example, when the air temperature is 0°F and the wind is blowing at 15 mph, it can feel like -19°F—cold enough for exposed skin to freeze within 30 minutes. These conditions affect not only people, but horses as well, who rely on us for their care and protection.

That’s why, during extreme winter weather:

Lessons may be canceled when conditions are unsafe. We cannot control Mother Nature, but we can choose not to take unnecessary risks.
Unmounted horsemanship activities may take place in the climate-controlled PONYSITTERS Lounge, allowing students to continue learning in a safe, warm environment.
Horse care protocols include proper blanketing, shelter, and fresh, unfrozen water to keep horses healthy during harsh weather.

We follow weather guidance backed by science, including the National Weather Service wind chill index, which is based on human heat loss and designed to help assess outdoor risk.

At JL Performance Horses, we believe no lesson is worth jeopardizing the well-being of our riders or our horses. Winter can still be a time of growth and connection—we simply adapt with care and caution.

https://www.weather.gov/safety/cold-wind-chill-chart

Hot Weather Safety: Protecting Horses and Riders at JL Performance Horses

At JL Performance Horses, the health and comfort of our horses and riders always come first—especially during the heat of summer.

As temperatures rise, we pay close attention to the Heat Index (HI), or Apparent Temperature, which reflects how hot it feels when heat and humidity combine. High humidity reduces the body’s ability to cool itself through sweat, making physical activity more difficult and increasing the risk of heat-related illness—even in fit, healthy individuals.

To keep everyone safe, we implement several important precautions:

Lessons may be canceled or rescheduled when conditions are unsafe. We will never compromise the well-being of our horses or riders.
We may shift to unmounted learning activities in the climate-controlled PONYSITTERS Lounge, where students can continue growing their horsemanship knowledge in a cool, comfortable environment.
When possible, we’ll opt for shaded trail rides instead of ring work to keep both horse and rider cooler and more comfortable.
Misting tents are available on hot days to help riders cool off and stay refreshed.
We strongly encourage all riders to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water before, during, and after their time at the barn.

Our horse care is also carefully managed in the heat, with fresh cool water, shaded turnout, reduced workloads, and access to fans and cooling methods.

At JL Performance Horses, we believe that with smart planning, education, and flexibility, summer can still be a safe, rewarding, and fun time to ride and learn.

https://files.ponyclub.org/resources/38/LOW_HUMIDITY_HEAT_INDEX_CHART