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Remember, Remember the 5th of November......
Although a growing annual problem, Bonfire Night
is still the most popular night for firework displays. Read Information from the British Horse Society to find out how you can make this night as stress free as possible for you and your horse.
Making road surfaces safer for horses......
The British Horse Society today (21 October 2004) welcomed the commitment given by the Government to address
the problems caused to horses and their riders by the use of stone mastic asphalt (SMA) as a road surface dressing.
Equestrian Insurance Working Group
A Working Group comprising The British Horse Society (BHS), the Association of British Riding Schools (ABRS),
the British Equestrian Trades Association (BETA), and the Association of British Insurers (ABI) (aided by independent legal
and equestrian consultants) met on Friday 17 September 2004 to identify ways in which the financial pressures caused to proprietors
of equestrian establishments by substantial increases in insurance premiums might be alleviated. The Working Group was chaired by Graham Cory, Chief Executive of The British Horse Society, with Tim Humphreys
leading for the ABI.
Read more>>>
BETA to run own safety courses
The British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) is to hold its first ever safety equipment seminar for riding
instructors and riding club leaders. Sessions on the fitting of riding hats and body protectors, medical aspects of
equipment and safety footwear will all take place during a day-long programme at Stoneleigh on 27 September. The course
was organised after concerns were raised by instructors regarding aspects of safety not taught as part of their qualifications.
Previously, the expectation has been that people will buy equipment that is correctly fitted, but increasingly there is pressure
on instructors and riding club leaders to ensure safety "instructors have a duty of care to make sure that the students are
using equipment correctly," says BETA executive director Claire Williams. Two trial sessions, held in Ireland,
proved extremely popular and BETA is hoping for a similar response in England before scheduling further courses around
the country. For details, contact BETA (tel: 01937 587062)
Reproduced with the permission of Horse & Hound (9 September 2004 edition)
Riding Safely attended - report coming in the November
newsletter.
New laws in the workplace
Redwings Horse Sanctuary fined
Redwings Horse Sanctuary has been fined £6000 and £8500 costs following an incident that left a worker with
a broken pelvis.
(note: because this was a Criminal Prosecution the fine and costs would not be covered by insurance)
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigated 202 bale handling and stacking accidents between 1986 and 1996. Of these accidents, 23 were fatal and some of the others caused
injuries serious enough to stop those involved
from working again. Read the HSE Guidance - Handling and Stacking Bales in Agriculture.
Youth arrested for stable fire
A fire at a livery yard near Bradford on 10 October claimed the life of three horses. Some horses
were led to safety, but three in the stables nearest to the hay store where the fire is thought to have started could not
be saved. The yard is in a rural location with the owner living 3/4 mile away. A passer-by saw flames at around
10pm and alerted the police and fire brigade. A 16-year-old youth has been arrested by Police in connection with the
fire.
(Source Horse & Hound 14 October 2004)
Accidents in September & October
Caroline Pratt (42) was fatally crushed during the cross country phase of the Burghley Horse Trials when
her horse Primative Streak hit the jetty in the water, turned a somersault and landed on her, three fences from home.
James Boyle (35) who was doing a 2ft 6in pairs class with his daughter, died after sustaining crush
injuries after a fall at a hunter trials in Wales.
Max A Brook (54), Master of the Quantock Staghounds died as a result of injuries sustained from a fall
out hunting.
(Source Horse & Hound)
Looking Forward - Diary Dates
In addition, The British Horse Society (BHS) seminar at Your Horse Live, 'So you want to be a livery yard owner', will address current 'hot topics' of insurance and fire risk assessment as well as promoting the society's Approved yard
scheme.The seminar is open to all horse owners and yard proprietors, existing and potential, and will take place in the
Bailey's Horse Feeds Learning Centre at Your Horse Live at 1.15 p.m. on both days of the show.
If you'd like advance notice of equestrian
events that have a safety content then let me know and I'll keep you updated.
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