What is one critical safety consideration when conducting a therapeutic riding session?

Ensuring that riders wear proper safety gear, including helmets, is a critical safety consideration in therapeutic riding sessions. The primary focus in these environments is the safety and well-being of riders, who may have physical or cognitive challenges. Helmets protect against head injuries in the event of a fall, which can occur even in controlled settings.

Proper safety gear serves as a fundamental precaution, as it can significantly reduce the severity of potential injuries. In therapeutic riding, where participants might be inexperienced or have limited mobility, the risk of accidents is inherently higher, making it essential that all riders are equipped with the appropriate protective equipment.

While having an audience can be motivating, it does not directly contribute to safety. Similarly, conducting sessions in an open field could potentially expose riders to more hazards, and riding without supervision significantly increases risk rather than mitigating it. Thus, wearing proper safety gear remains the most vital consideration for ensuring a safe therapeutic riding environment.