HORSE HIRE HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY

Horses for hire for Equestrian events such as Hunting, Showjumping and other competitions or social rides.

While you have possession of the horse the animal is entirely your own to care for, and we hold no liability for any accident or injury caused to you or the animal while in your care.

All clients are required to read the below and sign the waiver before commencing their hire. Anyone under 18 will require a parent to sign as well.

Clients are also required to sign any required waivers for the activity they will be attending, and be clear in the understanding that they may not hold anyone liable for any accident or injury caused by themselves, their actions, or the horse that they have taken on responsibility for. Clients must abide by any rules and regulations set out by the event.

We take every endeavour to keep our clients and horses safe, therefore ensuring they have read this health and safety plan and signed the appropriate waivers is paramount. Matching riders with suitable mounts is key to keeping everybody safe.

Transport:
At times, we may be able to provide transport to events if we are also attending ourself. This will be provided as a separate service and billed accordingly.

Risks identified:

Important note: at ALL TIMES clients under 18 MUST wear a helmet when handling or near horses. It is advised that all persons wear a helmet around horses at all times. All clients MUST wear am up to date current standard helmet when riding, these should be replaced every 3 years.

Anyone near a horse at any time MUST wear closed toed footwear.

Bringing horses in from paddocks

Main risks include:	Management Strategies
Impatient horses barging through gateway	Bringing the horses in individually or in pairs. Keeping horses in small groups. Opening the gate wide enough and making sure it is visible to horses.
Horses cantering in to yard	Try to keep to one side. Hold arms out horizontally to make horses swerve round you.
Finding a horse injured and distressed	It is most important that your keep yourself safe firstly – it will do no-one any good if you rush in to try and help a distressed animal and are injured yourself if it panics. If an electric fence is involved, turn it off as quickly as possible (see Electric Fence section).Your first action in this instance should always be to seek help. Call Ashley on 0273460326 for assistance! Call the vet if necessary. Be careful to approach from the head end and keep clear of feet, in some situations the use of a blindfold on the animal may help keep it calm until help arrives.
Clients being injured bringing horses in	Correct catching and handling is taught on our holiday program, or in horse management lessons. Only advanced students who staff are satisfied have the necessary knowledge and ability are allowed to bring horses in, otherwise they must have a proficient adult accompanying them, or ask us to provide the service.

Feeding horses

Main risks include:	Management Strategies
Horses kicking or biting at humans or other horses at feed time.	If the phone rings and you need to answer it, move away from the horses to a safe, protected spot. Move carefully through horses at the feed bowls. Keeping the yard or truck/float area tidy and free of hazards will help minimise the risk of something frightening the horses and causing them to make unexpected movements. Always make sure you let a horse know you are behind it to reduce the risk of being kicked if it gets a fright. At home,horses are fed either in individual yards or in the paddocks. Do not enter paddocks with feed buckets, place them over the fence from the outside. As above, feed in individual yards or in the paddock. If feeding in the paddock be sure to allow 5-10m between buckets and NEVER place a bucket in a corner. When feeding horses at the truck or float you have transported them in, ensure there is ample space between horses. Any horse who are not comfortable eating around other horses should be fed well away from others. Any horses known to kick or bite around food will be fed well away, and in their own tape yard to ensure the public remain away from them.
Contact with hitching rails	Mind your head on the hitching rails – they are made of solid wood and are very hard. Be careful when ducking underneath them to grab brushes or other gear. Use gateways rather than going under fencing. Also, be wary of getting jammed between a horse and the hitching rail/yard fencing. Again, this comes down to being alert as to what is happening around you and understanding the way horses can potentially move or behave in stressful situations.

Grooming horses

Main risks include:	Management Strategies
Barging horses Kicking horses Contact with hitching rails Injury to clients	See above section on Feeding Horses Instruct clients on safe handling practises and ensure they are wearing a helmet and safe footwear
Biting horses	A horse is more likely to attempt to nip or bite when you are touching and brushing it if it has a sensitive spot or sore area. Watch out for saddle sores or galls starting and treat them as soon as possible to avoid them becoming painful and provoking the horse the make a grab for you if they are touched. Some of the horses make a habit of nipping, or threatening to, when they’re being groomed. Like kicking, they need to be told off if they try it and really growled at if they manage it. Learn which horses you need to be especially careful of, and keep an eye on all of them as you are brushing them. Keeping one hand on the halter, lead or near the head while you brush with the other hand will let you know if he suddenly moves his head in your direction and give you some warning.
Being trodden on	When you are cleaning out hooves you will need to watch out for a horse standing on you when you release the foot, or if he snatches it away from you. Make sure you are wearing good tough footwear any time you are amongst the horses and try to release the foot gently so he doesn’t bang it down without looking where he’s putting it. Keep yourself off to one side and try not to position you right in under the horse, close to his feet.

Transporting horses:

Main risks include:	Management Strategies
Injury to horse or human during loading or unloading	All persons will be fully briefed on safe loading and unloading practices to avoid risk. However, horses are live animals and accidents can and do happen. In the case of an accident occurring please follow the section below on ridden accidents and injuries. Ensure humans are safe before assisting animals, call for assistance from others. In the instance where an animal is distressed, it may be useful to blindfold them Provide appropriate first aid/wound care. Call for an ambulance or a vet if required.
Injury to horse during travel	As above Stop in a safe place. Never unload a horse in an unsafe location such as a busy road or a blind corner/brow.

Tacking Up

Main risks include:	Management Strategies
Barging horses Kicking horses Contact with hitching rails Biting horses Being trodden on	See above sections on Feeding Horses and Grooming Horses. When tightening girths, watch out for biting. To prevent problems, try not to suddenly tighten the girth up, startling and horse and potentially pinching his skin. Try to do it slowly and steadily, and when you have tightened it, take a foreleg and stretch it out to smooth out the skin under the girth. Also, mind your feet when saddling up – if the horse moves while you have your hands full of saddle and your view is obscured, he may tread on you.
Faulty equipment – We check all equipment as it is used daily, as well as before it goes out on hire.	Try not to let the saddle blankets become wrinkled before you put the saddle on. Large creases in blankets can be very uncomfortable for the horse once you tighten the girth and may lead to grumpiness and even bucking. When you are tacking up the horses, clients please take care to check the saddle and bridle for broken or damaged parts. Noticing potential problems at this stage of the day will prevent faulty gear from causing a major problem during a ride. If a child has tacked up their own horse, parents should ALWAYS do a safety check before they mount up, to ensure that it has been done correctly and that the equipment is safe. Girth straps and buckles are critical points. Please make sure they are sound as you do them up. Reins should also be in sound condition. If you have any doubt about the safety or correct use of any equipment, ASK!

Client Arrival

Main risks include:	Management Strategies
Hazardous Parking	Clients should park their vehicles in a safe place. We have provided a Safe parking Area for all visitors. Staff can help encourage clients to park in the parking area by using it themselves for their own cars. If clients park in the middle of the yard, explain to them that their vehicle could pose a hazard to the horses, and direct them to a safe place to park. No vehicles are to park in front of the entrance gate, there is a no parking sign on it. This allows safe passage for humans and horses, as well as access way for emergency services in case of an accident.
Electric Fencing	Electric fencing can be a hazard to people who don’t recognise it. Warning signs are in place if the fencing is on. Be ready to yell a warning to others if they are looking like they may touch the fencing.
Clients approaching horses in unsafe ways	All clients taking horses on hire are persons with whom we are satisfied have correct basic knowledge in horse handling and know how to handle and approach horses safely. We remind them here to: – Approach horses at the shoulder – Use a calm quiet voice around the horses – Walk calmly around the horses, never run. – Keep others away from the horses, do not allow others children or guests near the horses. – Ensure that anyone around the horses is wearing appropriate safety equipment.

Riding at equestrian events such as hunting, competions, trail rides etc

Main risks include:	Management Strategies
Riding on the road / traffic	Avoid riding on the road in busy traffic! If you must ride along a quiet country road, for instance while at a hunt: When riding on the road, ride against the traffic flow, to increase our visibility and allow the horses to see the oncoming traffic. Wave down traffic to decrease their speed, and ride as far off the side of the road as possible. Follow the directions of the Master or any other hunt officials.
Equine – equine aggression	Ensure horses are kept at a safe distance from one another to prevent biting or kicking. Horses which develop regular, unprovoked aggressive behaviour should be rested and / or ridden by the staff before being returned to customer use when they have settled down. As long as the ride is moving, aggression is unlikely to impact on riders, but when the ride stops for any reason, and the group bunches up, horses enter one another’s personal space more easily. Clients should always keep atleast one horses length between their horses in every direction. In yards or at the truck/float, horses are to be tied in such a way they do not hassle eachother, with short ropes and only next to horses that they are familiar with. Ensure there is enough distance between horses if parking alongside another vehicle which may also tie horses to their truck.
Tree branches	If you are riding under trees, the best way to ride under low branches is to lean forward over the horse’s neck. No-one should lean back over the horse’s rump – people are far more vulnerable to injury is this position, and may cause the horse to spook or pig jump.
Riders not following instruction of staff	Riders who do not follow instructions by staff or officials can put the whole group in danger, not just themselves. It is crucial to follow instructions, and ask for clarification if anything is unclear or you do not understand the reason for the order. For example, someone may ask you not to canter off ahead of the group – they are unlikely to be trying to ruin your fun. You may be unaware that another horse in the group is liable to follow you, which may unseat that rider and cause injury in a fall, along with the added danger of a loose horse. Remember that you have signed multiple agreements to follow instructions of staff and can be held liable for any damage caused by refusal to follow directions. If you are an instructor hired to be in charge of everyones safety on an outing, your instructions have to be carried out – it says this in our disclaimer form that your clients have signed. Explain firmly, but politely to start with, that you know the horses, you know the terrain and their actions are endangering everyone else on the ride. If the rider persists in dangerous behaviour (e.g. pushing their horse past other riders, upsetting their horses, or cantering off in front etc) you may be forced to clip them onto a lead rope. You are the boss – they may have paid but they are also bound to abide by your instructions. PLEASE REMEMBER MANAGEMENT WILL BACK YOU IF YOU WERE TO ASK A CLIENT TO DISMOUNT AND WALK! WE ARE HAPPY TO REFUND. Think about the safety of other clients and the health of your horses.
Accidents – serious falls causing injury or even death Accidents involving injured horses: Accidents involving property of others:	In an accident with one or more people falling from their horse, first ensure that any other riders present are OK. If there is an injury to someone, the ride should be halted, everyone should dismount, and all horses be secured, in order to allow staff to provide care to the injured person. If assistance is required, call a staff member or official, or emergency services. First Aid skills should be used to make the injured person as comfortable as possible – other persons can be called on for help and should be given specific directions eg “Sally, call 111” is much more effective in a stressful situation than “Somebody help!” If you have to leave an injured person to summon help, please ensure that it is safe to do so. Go to the nearest phone, in whichever direction that may be and call 111. KNOW YOUR LOCATION! It is very important that you can describe the location of the injured person to the emergency services. Please make sure you can describe your location at any point on the property. If you have hired a horse and are not also guided by us, take all the same actions as above. If you are hunting: -Signal to a field official (look for a red or green coat, or someone with “colours” on their collar) – let them know if you need first aid assistance, there is always a following vehicle with first aid equipment, as well as a locator beacon. Always let someone know if you are turning in early for any reason! Review the event/hunt/rides own health and safety policy about procedures to take in the course of an accident or injury. If an accident occurs where a horse is injured, ensure the rider is okay first. If the horse is injured, signal for help from others and provide basic first aid. Call a vet if required. If you cause damage to property, always ensure you inform the convenor/land owner/master or appropriate person of the damage, and arrange to have it repaired at your cost.
Runaway horses	Bolting horses, with riders or riderless, should NEVER be chased, this will only encourage them to run faster. Your primary concern must be with any other riders – secure their safety first. Every effort should be made to prevent bolting – it may affect other groups of riders and even cause a traffic hazard.
Unsafe Ground	Hill trails are generally safe to use in summer months, Trotting or cantering uphill is generally pretty safe as the slope prevents excessive speed, but downhill sections of trail should always be conducted at a walk. If you think the ground is unsuitable and hazardous due to the conditions, you may need to alter the route of your ride to avoid it. In winter, bogs and frozen ground can be a serious safety hazard, so approach ground carefully and if in doubt find another route.
Broken gear	Gear breakages can happen without warning. The best way to avoid this is clearly to keep all tack in good repair and check vital points like girth straps and buckles when your are getting the horses ready for the ride. Sudden stress, like shying or bucking, can cause unexpected failure. If you cannot fix the problem safely during the ride: If you are not far from home/truck/float, return and exchange the faulty equipment. NEVER use faulty equipment, we would rather issue a refund than risk an injury to horse or human.

Returning to Yard/Truck & Dismounting

Main risks include:	Management Strategies
Horses crowding through gate	Always ride single file through gateways, or with sufficient space to prevent being pushed againt the gate.
Accidents dismounting	Always dismount from your horse in a space where you have plenty of room around you and the ground is free of hazards.

Untacking Horses

Main risks include:	Management Strategies
Kicking or biting horses Contact with hitching rails Being trodden on	Same as for tacking up – horses are more tired but also grumpier after the ride. Stay alert to their body language and be ready to respond or avoid aggressive moves. Watch out for those hitching rails/yards!
Heads thrown about when being washed down	When you are washing the horses down at the end of the day, it is a good idea to clean sweaty areas on and around the head and ears but watch out for sudden head movements that may make contact with you.

Covering Horses Safely

Main risks include:

Management Strategies

Horse taking fright while being covered and getting tangled and / or Causing an accident.

Use the B.I.T.E acronym for rug strap order when putting on a rug (reverse the order for removal)

B – Back straps
I – In the front (front straps)
T – Tummy
E – Extras

Always do up the back straps first, so that if the horse shies or is otherwise startled, the cover can slide off. If you do up the front strap first, he can’t step out of the cover and his risk of injuring himself, running into staff or frightening other horses and generally causing havoc is hugely increased.

Letting Horses Go

Main risks include:	Management Strategies
Bolting horses Barging at gateways	Similar to bringing the horses in – letting them go individually or in pairs will reduce the potential dangers. Keeping immediate control of horses, by having them on a lead, will help remove risks. Keep gates closed in between getting the next pair of horses and always ensure the gate is shut, and that you have turned the horse to face the gate before letting go of the horse, to avoid them escaping back into the yard.
Traffic hazards	If you do need to let the horses go all together, ensure that there is adequate space for them to get out of eachothers way. It is vitally important that there is no chance that loose horses get out onto the road and cause a traffic hazard.