Riding
The stable entrepreneur is responsible for the safety of the riding service.
Tukes monitors the safety of riding and harness racing services with regard to the safety of the customers.
Documents in order!
Draw up a safety document on riding schools and stables. The document must pay particular attention to the following: treatment and prevention of falls during riding lessons, accident records, trail riding routes, the expertise and competence of the personnel, as well as emergency and preparedness to give first aid.
Stables offering full boarding services also draw up a safety document; their focus is on instructing the customers and the upkeep of the premises.
Identify the risks!
You can use Tukes’ instructions and tools to identify risks.
Divide the identification of hazards into different parts from a practical perspective. What hazards can be presented to customers regarding horse care and equipping? For example, how are instructions provided during beginners’ courses? What hazards are associated with beginners, trail riding, show jumping lessons, adults’ lessons, etc.?
In identifying the risks of riding services, also take the following issues into account:
- Situations, in which accidents occur at your stable
- Accident records and their use
Pay special attention to these issues:
- Car parks and going from the car park to the stable
- Taking care of the horses and tacking them up at the stable
- Instructing the riders and monitoring by the personnel
- Horses that beginners as customers cannot tack up alone
- Maintenance and condition of the equipment (safety stirrups recommended!)
- Special groups
- Competence of the personnel in case of emergencies
- Suitability of the horses for the activities at the stable
- Dangerous places in riding areas
- Trail riding routes.
Good safety practices - accident records
Good accident records help you to understand, in which situations accidents occur. Record ordinary falls that are a part of the sport in your own accident records. Typical injuries in regular falls include bruises and abrasions.
Notify Tukes of all deaths, other serious accidents and close calls that have occurred in the service. Serious cases include incidents that cause a permanent adverse impact on health. Typical riding injuries reported to Tukes include various limb fractures.
Report serious accidents using the online form or by emailing [email protected].
What to do in an emergency
Provide regular training for all employees regarding what to do in an emergency. Make sure that all employees have completed up-to-date first aid training. If operations take place outside urban areas, or riding camps or trail riding are provided, higher first aid and emergency response skills are required.
Requirements on the equipment
The standard on riding helmets was completed in 2017. Ask the riders to replace their helmets if they need to replace them in any case or if the helmet has been subject to a blow, or if the riders are competing. Tukes recommends replacing loaner helmets when the helmets are normally being replaced.
Remember that helmets also have a best before date. All helmets that have been dented or subjected to a fall should be destroyed, because their safety features may have deteriorated.
Maintenance and upkeep
Take care of the upkeep of the stable yards and other stable areas. Safety is improved by clear and wide passages that are lit and sanded, if necessary.
Separate maintenance records should be maintained to keep you up to date. Building maintenance is easier, when the things to remember have been written down. Riding halls are subject to the Act on Assessing the Structural Safety of Buildings with a Large Frame. The municipal building supervision authority helps with questions related to riding halls.
Providing information to customers
Publish the rules of the stable on the website and on the stable wall. Beginner riders in particular also need clear instructions on site. Safety instructions should be included in the camp letter sent to riding camp participants. Another good practice is to communicate matters with a weekly changing theme during every riding lesson, for example.
