There is an old cowboy saying that "it is not enough to know how to ride; he must also know how to fall." Although this saying is not meant to be literal, it maintains its applicability because it is true. Odds are, people who are around horses often- either for work or recreation - will at some time get hurt as a result of this interaction. Handling horses can be a dangerous activity. Horses, although considered domesticated, are still animals with minds of their own. These animals maintain a strong herd mentality and a developed flight instinct at perceived dangers. These instincts, combined with the fact that horses often weigh over one thousand pounds, run at speeds of up to forty miles an hour, and have an arsenal of dangerous reactions - including the ability to bite, kick, buck, rear, and trample - make equine activities a risky endeavor.It is estimated that, in the United States, there are 23,000 people under the age of twenty injured in equestrian related accidents each year.
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