Equine Risk Management
General Considerations for All Activites

1. Property Owned or Leased:

Predetermine And Control Exposures For A "Secure Site":

  • Identify any requirements imposed on you by any leases or contracts you have with others.
  • Invite Fire Protection Officers and Police to the premises so they are familiar with your location.
  • Solicit the input of the Fire Protection Officers and Police when they attend your premises.
  • Provide premises crime security through supervision and/or alarm systems, locks, etc. to reduce the likelihood of burglary or vandalism.
  • Inspect your premises and itemize all hazards that could cause loss or damage to property.

Consider for example:

  • Smoking regulations
  • Defects in heating, water, electrical systems
  • Storage of inflammables
  • Improper use of extension cords or space heaters
  • Housekeeping procedures
  • Existence of fire sources (wood heat, welding, etc.)
  • Ask yourself, "is there the any chance this situation could cause damage to occur"?

Emergency Response:

  • Emergency phone numbers should be posted by phones which are at known locations.
  • Private fire extinguishers must be charged regularly and placed in obvious locations.
  • Yourself, staff and/or volunteers should know how to use extinguishers.
  • Control congestion on the premises to provide access for emergency vehicles.

Contingency Plans:

  • Design an evacuation plan to follow in the event of a major catastrophe including the tranportaion of animals.
  • Arrange for an emergency location to house animals in the event of a major catastrophe.

Maintain The "Secure Site":

  • Involve staff and/or volunteers in this process so they are sensitive to these concerns.
  • Train staff and/or volunteers to respond to the above and advise you of problems they notice.

2. Property Not owned but in your care, custody or control:

General;

  • Apply all considerations discussed above.

Limit Liability:

  • Release and Acknowledgment forms or Hold Harmless agreements should be obtained where applicable (see Section 4)

3. Injury or Damage to people or property of others:

The points that follow are in no particular order of priority.

Predetermine And Control Exposures For A "Safe Site":

  • Identify any requirements imposed on you by any leases or contracts you have with others.
  • Inspect your premises and itemize all hazards that could cause bodily injury or property damage. (ask yourself, "is there the remotest chance of an accident being caused by this situation?")
  • Are public areas free of all hazards possible. (i.e. slip/trip hazards, equipment, animals, unsafe seating, poor lighting, etc.)
  • Control known hazards that cannot be eliminated. (i.e. barricades, sound fencing, supervision, safety equipment etc.)
  • Restrict visitors to certain controlled areas for parking, seating, viewing etc.
  • Keep animals separated from people and property of others as much as is practical. (i.e. stable area, fencing, loading/unloading areas, holding/ warm-up/practice areas, etc.)
  • Prominently post clearly worded signs to warn of all known hazards. (i.e. restricted areas, slip fall dangers, smoking restrictions, existence of animals, etc.)

MainTain The "Safe Site":

  • Appoint a Safety Officer (even yourself) to conduct Regular spot checks to assure new hazards have not appeared and that controlled hazards are still under control. (Develop a checklist and report form for this purpose.)
  • Empower the Safety Officer to take the necessary steps to ensure the premises and activities remain safe. (i.e. postponement of activities due to inclement weather conditions)
  • Conduct meetings with everyone involved (staff, volunteers, family members etc.) to discuss rules, regulations, and safety related matters.

Limit Liability:

  • Release and Acknowledgment forms should be obtained where applicable (see Section 4)

Avoid Being Negligent:
You may be held responsible for your actions or lack of action. Law suits claiming reimbursement for injury or damage are usually founded on the contention that the injury or damage was in some part the result of negligence or breach of contract.

An action or lack of action is negligent when the following elements are present:

  • A duty of care is owed by one party to others
  • The standard of care imposed by this duty is breached
  • Injury or damage is suffered
  • The breach of the standard contributes to the injury or damage

Emergence Responce:

  • Emergency phone numbers should be posted by phones which are at known locations.
  • First Aid equipment should be readily available and in obvious locations.
  • Key people should be trained in basic First Aid. (Have someone take a course)
  • Control congestion on the premises to provide access for emergency vehicles.
  • Maintain a supply of "Accident Report Forms" to obtain important information should an accident occur (see Section 5)

General Considerations For Competition Activities

Premises:

  • Have designated "warm-up" areas where no lounging is allowed if others are riding.
  • Designate a risk management committee for the competition. They can examine the premises, the barns, the rings, the means of access for horses, riders, cars, trucks, trailers, other participants and the general public to determine the specific safety hazards for the specific competition and develop a strategy which addresses the hazards and minimizes the risks to all involved.
  • Post large visible signs warning of the dangers of horses and horse related activities.
  • Determine how best to limit contact and access between the general public and the barn, warm-up and competition areas.
  • Check safety of footing, jumps, fence barriers, barns. (i.e. protruding nails etc.)
  • Have Saint John's Ambulance or trained paramedics on site for the duration of the competition.
  • Have water available for both horses and riders.
  • Strictly limit access to competition areas to officials, competitors, emergency personnel and trainers.
  • Fire precautions should be listed and in place prior to the event.
  • Emergency evacuations should be considered and a plan for such developed prior to the event.
  • Hazardous materials and any equipment presenting a danger should be well stored and out of reach of horses and animals.
  • Have a plan for garbage disposal.
  • Signage should be posted at the competition so important rules are readily available to those who must abide by them.

Horses:

  • Have a farrier and vet "on call" or in attendance depending on the level of competition.
  • Have a "horse ambulance" i.e. stock trailer, vehicle and several ropes on hand and available for use in emergencies.
  • Establish a policy to deal with unruly or unsafe animals who are present at the event.

Participants:

  • Ensure all riders wear a safety approved helmet with harness, boots with a heel and proper attire.
  • Do not allow junior riders to ride stallions.
  • Require membership in the Provincial Equestrian Association of all participants where practical.
  • Rules of conduct for the exercise and warm-up areas should be posted and enforced.
  • Equipment checks should be undertaken prior to the event to ensure it is safe and usable.

Spectators:

  • Only allow dogs on site if under control and on a leash.
  • Supervision of minors and restricted areas is an important consideration.


Activities:

  • Utilize and follow the rules set out by any sanctioning bodies for competitions by running as a permit or fully sanctioned competition.
  • Use only well qualified officials i.e. judges, course designers, stewards.
  • Be cognizant of various weather conditions, the effect on horses, individuals, and how they can perform. Have a plan or be ready to implement a plan should conditions change. (i.e. thunderstorms, lightning, hail, excessive heat or cold, time of day and light availability)
  • Have a strict code of ethics and rules printed in the prize list or entry booklet, have the show committee knowledgeable about it and prepared to enforce it. (i.e. no inhumane treatment of horses allowed)
  • Have all competitors, owners and riders, and parents or guardians if applicable, complete a Release and Acknowledgment form. (see Section 4)
  • Have a supply of Accident/Injury report forms (see section 5) available to be used if an incident should arise.
  • Make certain that liability insurance is in place and adequate .

Back