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Riding Safely

News for March & April 2008

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   The UK's only Equestrian Safety Newsletter

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In this Edition...
 

·   Equine dental technicians and barefoot trimmers’ survey

·   Myth of the Month

·   Timetable of other events

·   Information

·   Training Resources

·   Sources of Help

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You can comment about any of the items in this edition of the News digest in the Forum or or by contacting the Editor at editor.ridingsafelyuk@yahoo.co.uk

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Equine dental technicians and barefoot trimmers’ survey

How many equine dental technicians and barefoot trimmers work in the industry?  The first online survey into the industry now aims to find out.

Lantra Sector Skills Council is carrying out the survey on its website to find out the numbers working as paraprofessionals, their background and the challenges they face.

Lantra Equine and Professions Allied to Veterinary Science Industry Partnership Manager, Lisa Jarvis said:  “We estimate that around 500 dental technicians and barefoot trimmers work in the UK, but it is an emerging area and very little is known about it.”

Training is an essential way to overcome challenges and plan effectively for the future.  As the representative body for the equine industry, Lantra works to ensure that training and qualifications meet the needs of employers and industry.  It also represents the industry at government level to shape funding policy, so that areas where there are skills gaps and a training need are prioritised.

Lisa adds:  “In order for Lantra to work with the para-professionals and Defra to develop frameworks for training and qualifications we urgently need equine dental technicians and barefoot trimmers to take part in this research.”

The survey questions are grouped into eight main themes:

·        Current numbers employed in the industry

·        Entry route into current job role (i.e. school, college, university)

·        Training route used (length of training, type of training, accreditation)

·        Predicted numbers entering the industry

·        Job roles – tasks, competencies

·        Business – number of clients and horses treated

·        Membership of organisations

·        Links to other professionals (e.g. veterinary surgeons, farriers)

If you are a paraprofessional, or a client or colleague of a paraprofessional, please take the time to log onto the business section of the Lantra website www.lantra.co.uk/businesses/equine/ to take part. 

If you would prefer to receive a copy of the survey by email, please contact Lantra Connect on tel: 0845 707 8007 or email connect@lantra.co.uk. The closing date is 31st March 2008.

 

Defra consultation information

Details on current and past Defra consultations can be found at http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/default.asp

 

Myth of the Month

The HSE’s initiaitive, to promote that the sensible management of risks protects people from real harm and suffering, but avoids bureaucratic back covering, has taken a further step forward.  HSE is running a "Myth of the Month" campaign aimed at highlighting some of the more popular stories of health and safety, which do not actually represent the law.

See the latest myth of the month at http://www.hse.gov.uk/myth/index.htm

A previous myth of the month, pertinent to the horse industry – May’s Myth: Risk assessments must always be long and complex can be found at http://www.hse.gov.uk/myth/may.htm

 

International Strangles Event

On May 28th, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies will be hosting a meeting of veterinary specialists from all over the world to discuss recent scientific advances in the development of preventative measures for Strangles.

Strangles is the most commonly diagnosed infectious disease of horses worldwide. However, the end may be in sight, as the Animal Health Trust (AHT) has teamed up with the British Horse Society to develop a blood test and vaccine, to test for and prevent respectively, the disease. The campaign has a £250,000 target, and has already managed to raise £100,000.

The conference, to be held in the School at the University of Edinburgh, will comprise of a series of talks from various specialists from all over the world, including four of the research team from the AHT: Andrew Waller, Jeremy Kemp-Symonds, Richard Newton and Zoë Mitchell.

Tickets for this conference, which includes lunch and coffee, are £65. Please follow the link below for further information, the day’s programme and booking form to ensure you get your place!

http://www.aht.org.uk/pdf/strangles_conference1.pdf

You can also follow the links from the Science section of the AHT website for more information on the disease itself and the work we are doing towards the development of the vaccine.

 

Tony Tyler in training


Tony gets his running shoes on for Amersham horses

Spurred on by the shocking, recent horse welfare case in Amersham, International League for the Protection of Horses’ (ILPH) Deputy Chief Executive Tony Tyler is donning his running shoes to take part in the Edinburgh Marathon in aid of the ILPH.

“Having worked at the ILPH for the past 8 years, I have seen some horrendous welfare cases brought into our Centres,” says Tony.

“The most recent one at Spindles Farm, Amersham has shocked all of us. The ILPH took in 11 of these horses and it will cost many thousands of pounds to rehabilitate and care for them over the next year alone. Sadly this is not the isolated incident people might think. We have other multiple cases being investigated and dealt with throughout the year.

“I have decided to run this year's Edinburgh Marathon to raise funds to help ensure the ILPH is able to continue its vital work. I am training hard to get ready for the 26.2 mile course and would welcome any sponsorship, however small!”

The Edinburgh Marathon takes place on Sunday 25th May 2008. Anyone wishing to sponsor Tony can do so securely online at www.justgiving.com/tonytyler


Timetable of other events

What

When

Why

Animals Act 1971 (Amendment) Bill 2007 - 2008

Private Members' Bill (Ballot Bill) introduced by Stephen Crabb MP

2nd Reading in the Commons

Related timetable

14 March 2008

A Bill to amend the Animals Act 1971 to limit strict liability for damage done by animals

FEI Eventing Safety Forum

Copenhagen, Denmark.

19 January 2008

To discuss safety across the sport.

National bodies from all eventing nations, including the British Equestrian Federation (BEF), will be invited to attend and make presentations on safety, along with course-designers, trainers, riders, officials, equipment manufacturers and vets.

British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA)

Details of continuing professional development (CPD) courses and meetings for 2008

Various during 2008

 

 
eemail.gif If you know of any forthcoming equestrian health, safety or welfare related events please contact Riding Safely 
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Need to know if you're doing enough to comply with health, safety and environmental requirements?  Then this section is for you.  The information in this section will be repeated and updated each month.
 

Information

·   What you must do

The Health and Safety Executive list 10 key things you must do if you are in business.  Are you doing them all?  Check them out and get further help from http://www.hse.gov.uk/smallbusinesses/must.htm

·   Health and Safety Guidance for Inspections of Horse Riding Establishments and Livery Yards

Published in May 2006, this document sets out current good practice for environmental health practitioners; licensing officers; vets and animal wardens and also provides a useful tool for both owners and managers of horse riding establishments and livery yards.

Supported by the riding industry’s major stakeholders, the guidance aims to fill a gap in existing literature and also provides useful checklists necessary to minimise the risk associated with such premises.

It recognises the need to strike a practical balance to reduce hazards without hindering the sustainability of the riding industry.

Download from:  http://www.cieh.org/library/Knowledge/Health_and_safety/guidancelivery_3.pdf

Training Resources

·   Safety with Horses”

Safety with Horses is a cost effective, award winning equine health and safety training programme, leading to an accredited Vocational Qualification.

The Level 2 programme is suitable for all those involved in any equine related activity including full or part-time students, clients, trainees, school work placements as well as those employed working with horses.

Find out more about the Safety with Horses training programme at: http://www.warkscol.ac.uk/equistudy/equistudy/coursepage.asp?courseid=9

Sources of Help

·   Workplace Health Connect

Delivered in partnership with the Health and Safety Executive, Workplace Health Connect is a government funded service providing confidential, practical and free advice to small businesses on workplace health and safety, management of sickness absence and return to work issues.

Find out more from http://www.workplacehealthconnect.co.uk/

 
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Riding Safely is not responsible for the content of external internet sites