Equine Risk Management
Specific to Therapeutic Riding Activities

FACILITY:

  • Fire drills must be carried out twice per year (spring/fall or summer/winter).
  • Stable; Stalls, bars and mesh wiring should be in good repair. There should be a door on the feed room. There should be a door on the utility room with all equipment stored safely.
  • Arena, fences and gates should be in good repair. Any protrusion into the arena should be covered by bumper boards to protect the knees of riders and also the volunteers.
  • The ramp and/or mounting block should be easily accessible, in good repair and outside of the arena (where possible).

HORSES:

  • Tack should be cleaned and checked for necessary repairs on a regular basis. A record of repairs should be kept.
  • Up-to-date records of care for the horses including vaccinations, worming and farrier visits should be available at all times.
  • Horses should be schooled to keep them tuned up and ridden out occasionally.
  • Horses should be kept a safe distance apart in the ring.

PERSONNEL:

  • All staff and volunteers should be trained in the correct tying of a quick release knot. Quick release clips may also be used.
  • Instructors must have a valid First Aid certificate. Volunteer personnel should also be encouraged to take First Aid and CPR courses, especially those working towards CanTRA certification.
  • Personnel working around the horses should wear safe footwear which protects heels and toes.
  • Volunteers should be trained in methods of basic handling in addition to leading, sidewalking and methods of supporting the rider.
  • Instructors should be trained in the correct procedures to follow in the event of an incident/accident (e.g. rider falls from the horse).
  • Volunteer clinics should be held regularly and a hand-out including safety precautions should be available for all personnel connected with the programme.
  • Instructors should either be qualified or show evidence of working towards CanTRA certification. This should be a priority.

RIDERS:

  • A.S.T.M. approved headgear secured with a permanently affixed safety harness must be worn.
  • The following forms should be on file for each student:
    • Physician's referral
    • P.T. evaluation (optional but most helpful)
    • Witnessed parent/quardian release; volunteer release
    • Photo release
    • Therapy report (optional)
    • Progress report
    • Down's Syndrome verification (where applicable)
    • Incident report (keep on hand to use as needed) - must also be used for all volunteers involved with the programme.
  • Safe mounting and dismounting procedures should be supervised by qualified horse personnel with a therapist's input as required. It will be necessary to see the head instructor and/or assistant instructor teach a class of disabled riders.
  • Hippotherapy - if this is offered as part of the programme, the Instructor should be responsible for the horse and sidewalkers with a qualified Therapist responsible for the rider receiving the hippotherapy. Both should be present during the sessions.

In The Event Of An Accident:

  • Instructor to call entire ride to a halt.
  • Each leader and all sidewalkers to stay with their own horse and rider.
  • Instructor to go quickly to the fallen rider.
  • Instructor to determine which sidewalkers should assist and ONLY he/she to give direction and instructions. Parents or spectators may be used to help.
  • Instructor to send for a blanket (which should be available in the barn, clean and wrapped) and the First Aid kit.
  • Depending on the severity of the incident, an ambulance may have to be called.
  • The instructor should stay with the injured rider and if this is more than a minor injury, the remaining riders should be dismounted. However the instructor should decide where it is most important for him/her to be - with the patient or supervising the dismounting. This will depend on the expertise of those present.
  • If this is a minor injury, the rider may sit out for a while and the lesson be continued. The rider may be mounted again before the end of the lesson or it may be decided to wait until the following week. The instructor and physiotherapist are the most familiar with the riders and therefore should determine the best course of action.
  • If a rider has fallen it is MOST important that they be checked either by the family doctor or at the hospital.
  • ALWAYS complete an incident report. If parents or a rider refuse a visit to the hospital, this should be recorded on the incident form.
  • The most important Point to remember when an incident of any kind occurs is, that several people Do NOT rush to the injured rider thereby leaving the rider for whom they are responsible unattended. A calm, controlled atmosphere is essential.
  • It is suggested that an incident drill be carried out with each class so that the majority of your volunteers know what is expected of them.

PHYSICIAN REFERRAL POLICY

The CanTRA Medical Committee makes recommendations concerning "Physician Referrals" which should be referred to on a regular basis.:

LIGHTWEIGHT HELMETS GUIDELINES:

CanTRA requires the use of A.S.T.M. approved helmets during all mounted and driving equine activities. CanTRA approves the use of lightweight helmets according to the following guidelines:

Conditions for the use of Lightweight Helmets:

  • Physically involved riders must be evaluated by a Physical or occupational Therapist to determine the appropriateness of using a lightweight helmet and to recommend which type to use.
  • A lightweight helmet may only be used when there is a leader and one or more sidewalkers with the rider.
  • A lightweight helmet may only be used during backridIng sessions when there is a leader and one or more sidewalkers. The person back-riding is also required to wear an approved helmet.

Lightweight Helmet Characteristics:

  • CanTRA requires that the helmet be secured by a non-elastic, built-in safety harness.
  • CanTRA requires the use of a lightweight helmet that has passed a safety impact test.
  • The heimet must fit securely with adequate fitting adjustments, as in hockey and bicycle helmets which are CSA approved.

Indications for Lightweight Helmet Use for Riders with Physical Disabilities:

  • The helmet may be used when the rider does not have adequate head control to support the weight of a standard helmet.
  • The helmet may be used for the rider with mild head and neck alignment difficulties, which are significantly increased by the weight of a standard helmet, resulting in the inability of the therapist to facilitate quality alignment.
  • The helmet may be used for the rider with a superficial shunt which would not function properly with a standard helmet.
  • The helmet may be used for a rider whose head is too small, too large or otherwise shaped to properly fit in a standard helmet.

Indications for Lightweight Helmet Use for Riders Who Do Not Have Physical Disabilities:

  • A lightweight helmet may be used for the rider whose head is too small, too large, or otherwise shaped to property fit in a standard helmet.

Contradictions for Lightweight Helmet Use:

  • The lightweight helmet Is not recommended for the rider with a cranial skin flap (skull bone or other hard material not completely covering the cranium).

Back