aRLINGTON sCHOOL dISTRICT sTUDENT dISCOUNTS AVAILABLE
aRLINGTON sCHOOL dISTRICT sTUDENT dISCOUNTS AVAILABLE
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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.
Proper footwear is essential both on the ground and in the saddle:
Even when you're not riding, sturdy, closed-toe shoes are a must when handling or walking near horses.
Riders should wear:
Loose or dangling clothing can be a hazard, especially around young or sensitive horses.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
We follow best practices and national safety guidelines, which require that helmets must:
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.
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.
For a helmet to do its job, it must be properly fitted:
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.
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.
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:
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.
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:
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
JLPH Concussion Assessment Form (pdf)
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