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A horse’s behavior should never be taken
for granted – even the oldest and quietest
horse
can behave unpredictably at times. A horse’s
natural instinct dictates either “fight or
flight” as
a defense reaction if feeling threatened.
When around horses, the following should
be remembered:
- Be confident – a horse takes
confidence from a confident handler
- Set fair and realistic ground rules
and stick to them consistently
- Be alert and plan ahead – consider
how your horse is likely to react, and
take positive action
before your horse becomes alarmed
- Seek help and guidance – there is
always something new to learn about
horses, so do not
cope alone
- Think “prevention” – complacency
causes accidents so don’t take
unnecessary risks
- Be insured – public liability
insurance is essential for all horse
owners, keepers or riders for
claims that may be made against them in
the event of an accident
On The Grounds
On the grounds where horses are kept,
human and equine first aid kits should be
readily available and the person in charge should be qualified in first aid
practices. All keepers and visitors should
be familiar
with accident procedures and know what
action to take in the event of an emergency.
Understanding prevention and how to
minimize the risk of accidents is essential. Safety
procedures and a list of emergency contact
numbers should be displayed prominently on
the grounds and programmed into the mobile
phones of riders in case of accidents when
out riding. An emergency list should include
details of the grounds manager, a veterinary
surgeon, doctor, farrier, the local police
and the fire department.
Main grounds gates should be kept closed at
all times to reduce the risk of a loose
horse
escaping onto the road. Stable doors should
be fastened securely with horse-proof locks
and areas to which horses have access should
be free from obstructions and any surfaces
that may cause an accident or injury.
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