Safety tips - things you've learned

Another electric fence related one - when you're turning out and turn round to shut the gate, be very aware of what you're horse is doing. My boy touched the electric fence with his nose as I went to shut the gate, broke away from me and ran off down the field like he'd been shot out of a cannon! In the process, the lead rope was yanked through my hand, resulting in a broken finger and a bleeding rope burn - ouch!
 
Be very careful when using metal jump cups. Sister fell off yesterday into the wing of the fence and knocked the poles out of the cups before catching her leg on one. 30 stitches in A&E last night 😁 it had never even occurred to me before now! Also, don't leave any cups on wings without poles on them in case they injure a rider or loose horse
 
Uh-oh, I think I do about half of these bad things! Most commonly the riding alone without anyone knowing where you are. I should probably do something about that!

BSL said:
I have seen people use the thick string that comes on big bales, to tie their horses to, thinking it will break if horse pulls back or panics. It doesn't. Please use proper tie breaks or thin string partially shredded by knife.
Click to expand...

This is really important. One of ours spooked (at some plastic, he's a bit special) while tied up yesterday, and the twine didn't snap - the metal ring attached to the side of the barn did though! Luckily everyone was fine, but it took a long time to break and he could have injured himself; we couldn't get near him as he kept trying to go up and was kicking out.
 
oldie48 said:
Train your horse to wait for a small treat when turning out, turn horse to face the gate and only give it once you have taken the headcollar off. i find my horses wait for the treat before exploding! so much better than struggling to get the headcollar off before the horse takes off.
Click to expand...

This ^^. The lady who taught me to do this had been badly injured when a (well behaved) horse she turned out took off after she released it and kicked up a stone which hit her in the head.

Also if you're strip grazing a food-obsessed horse, don't set it up so the nice new grass is always at the far end from the gate - learnt this to my cost one winter. I now always do it the other way around so the nice new grass is at the gate end, even if it means more of a walk to begin with.

Don't tie your horse on a longer rope to eat his dinner near a gate with a kick bolt - I did this once and he managed to get his headcollar attached to the kick bolt. Luckily he didn't panic and just yelled for me to come and release him so he could finish his dinner! Should say I was in the near vicinity, I wouldn't leave him tied on a longer rope.

Also, don't use the headcollars that come with greenguard muzzles as they aren't field safe. I didn't realise this and the poor horse spent what could have been several hours with his head attached to a tree in a hedge. Again, luckily he didn't panic as he could have been badly injured.

Reading the above - do lots of training/groundwork around yielding to pressure so your horse doesn't panic if he becomes attached to something!
 
Evie91 said:
Polo bear- my horse is actually the opposite of what you describe. For years would run through the gate when turned out, would rear, fi you took too long to open the gate, tried to undo rope, headcollar etc - hence safety lead rope technique! Occasioanlly she would stand for a carrot (she loves carrots) but you could always tell by her face whether she would or not.
On yard would occasionally pull back until string, headcollar, rope broke (but only on odd occasions and once she started would panic and keep going until something broke, then just stand there).
Now at home I lead her, by the head collar out of the stable, then let her go - she follows me and the pony up to the paddock or goes first- just as she pleases. Once in the paddock I take her headcollar off - for years on full livery she was turned out with one on.
When I bring in, I lead pony and she brings herself in. She always used to rush through the stable but now goes easy.
Works well for me, although I would add I would never do this on a yard.
Click to expand...

I also do this, I have four to take care of, all have headcollars on but I lead the herd leader and the rest follow, but I only do it winter evenings when time and daylight is tight, otherwise I would have them all crowding the gate, the rest of the year they come in by two's into an open barn, no stables
 
Don't catch in alone an arsey horse who's in a mood: take a friend to help.

Train up the kids on the yard so they don't have water fights/sword fights with dressage whips/run like loonies past your box when you're under the horse trying to apply Sudocreme. I went crazy at the swordfighting girls yesterday as my horse spooked towards me as I was checking him for injuries after a new horse was introduced to the field.

Wagtail said:
Good tip. I know what you mean, when they are so excited you can't even unclip it and they risk tripping over the rope. I used to have one I would have to leave the HC on and then go and remove it later when he'd calmed down a bit!
Click to expand...

Or cut a leadrope and leave a short length attached to a field safe headcollar so you can lead and let go quickly if needed.
 
Never tie your horse to a gate post on the latch end - even if he is a very tall horse. My friends welsh a got his head collar caught on the latch last winter and I had to cut him free, then I stupidly (cringe) tied my own horse up there this summer and he did exactly the same thing. Could've been very nasty.

Never lead a wound up horse to the field in a parelli head collar - they are too fiddly to undo when poor horse has been in for a long night and just wants to let off some steam!

Always wear a body protector - they may be stiff and hot and make you look like the hulk, and your horse may be a dope on a rope, but you can't trust all the maniacs on the road and your back is worth being a bit uncomfortable for!

Always wear hi-viz (as others have said), also echo the comments about flip-flops - makes my toes curl when I see people in them on yards I visit!!
 
Learn to splice a rope and make your own 10/12 foot leadrope for youngsters/groundwork. Then if they decide to wave to their friends you can keep hold without being dragged under. Generally useful bit of kit to have around anyway.
 
The haylage bale string one hasn't been followed up by really really important - it won't break, horse will. However many times I warn people you see it all over the place. Even normal bale string is best spliced so you only tie to half of it.
 
If riding in an unfamiliar area don't assume you can get a mobile signal.
Keep your phone on yourself not in a saddle bag on the horse.
 
starsky said:
Never ask a male non horsey friend for a leg up. He will show off his 'manly' strength off and leg you up so high you will go straight over the top of your horse and end up sitting on the floor on the other side :-)
Click to expand...


Yep, had that happen a few times when getting legged up on to a 16.2 by a 'manly' male HORSEY friend !!!! LOL
 
Never walk to closely past the back of your horse while he's eating his feed, no matter how lovely the horse is, it can still surprise them. Stupidly did it past my lovely boy a few years back (who has never raised a leg) and he booted me extremely hard, thinking I was another horse. Massive bruise, lesson learnt!
 
Properly TRAIN your horses to tie, stand, lead, load, turn out, etc., etc. That way you won't need all those safety gadgets :-) And wear gloves.
 
Never EVER without exception get on a horse that you go to see without seeing it ridden first; let the owner or their stooge get on it first.

If it rears: old advice we were given at Pony Club was "get off, stay off, and get kennels". Now that latter phrase would be "get an expert" rather than the kennels option.

Never try schooling or training your horse when you've got a cluttered head with your own stuff and/or you are upset for any reason (I got kicked when I tried doing groundwork with mine when I'd just received a job notice letter, horse picked up my negative vibes and reacted accordingly). Leave it till you're in the right frame of mind.

It's never anything to be ashamed of to get off and walk your horse past something it isn't happy with.

Never ever leave a headcollar on a horse whilst in the stable loose: I saw a pony once where the owner had left it in a loosebox with a headcollar on - it leaned out over the door and the ring on the headcollar got caught up on the door-latch. Pony panicked and pulled back, and then slipped down inside the door so it basically was just hanging there and being strangled. Luckily we were able to slip the headcollar off and pony was fine, but it frightens me stupid when I see people doing this and not realising.
 
Winter feeding a herd ..... Place feed buckets at intervals along fence line, reach through rather than going into the field. While they are eating, go into the field to do the hay piles.

Do not go into a field with all your buckets for your herd unless you have a whip.
 
Last edited:
When you reach a gate out hacking, especially an unfamiliar one, take a moment to check it before you dive in to open it from on board. If it's tied up with twine at both ends, or damaged, or awkward, or unstable, don't try to do it from on top!

Having a grey horse is not the same as wearing hi viz.
 
It makes me cringe when people tie a horse up on a long lead rope and let it eat its feed. If it pawed and got its leg over the lead rope it would end up falling over on the floor, when it tried to lift its head up. Once saw this happen when tied up to the side of a horse box, the horse nearly had the box over on top of it as it panicked.
Another one is always make sure you fasten bottom bolt on stable doors. If horse kicked door or slipped onto door its foot could push under the door and no way could it get it back without doing a lot of damage to its hoof.
 
Never tie horse up with lead rope clipped to its bit.

Also, a friend once tacked her horse up in the stable as normal. She then leaned over stable door from inside to,chat to her friend. Horse came to see what was going on and got his bit ring hooked onto door bolt. He immediately pulled back broke his bridle, bent the bit and severely bruised his mouth. Could have been a lot worse. Just goes to show even with handler right there next to him this still happened. Keep bits, head collars etc away from door bolts!
 
Best safety tip? When someone asks for advice, keep your mouth shut! If your advice works, they were going to do that anyway. If it doesn't, you are to blame.

Apart from that, if it could happen, it will happen.
 
Last edited:
Don't let horse get into habit of rubbing its nose/mouth on its forelegs if it has bridle/bit on and fore boots with buckles.. Especially a fulmer snaffle and tendon boots - so easy to get caught on their boots, then behold severe panic!
 
oldie48 said:
Never leave a horse tacked up but loose in his stable. I came back from a hack on a very hot day, put horse into the stable and walked a couple of feet to take my hat off before untacking him. He scratched an itch on his side and managed to get the snaffle ring caught on the girth buckle so his head was pinned to his side, complete panic ensued with him staggering out of the stable collapsing on the floor, , struggling back up and managing to get into the stable with my daughter's horse, who she was untacking. It was a miracle that he was unhurt and both my daughter and I narrowly missed being crushed. A rather unlucky accident but I now never risk it.
Click to expand...

A similar one from me - a friend rugged her horse up in the stable, but left the bottom buckle undone because she knew I would be along at some point during the morning to ride him. He bent down for some reason, probably to scratch, and got the bottom buckle caught over a tooth. He was stuck like that for ages until I turned up and found him. Poor guy he went beserk stretching his neck out after being freed. So do everything up properly; also with clips on rugs make sure they are fastened with the clip facing the rug so a horse can't get a lip caught up if they scratch. The same with headcollars with snap clips, the clip opening should face the back, not the front as they can catch their lips in them.
 
A few vehicle related ones for the list;

Before loading your horse into vehicle or trailer give the vehicle (and trailer) a 'walk around' check. Knowing that time is short on event day, try doing it the day before, then you've got time to make alternative arrangements if things aren't right;

Do ALL the lights work?

Mirrors; securely attached, undamaged, clean and give good view to sides and rear. Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes (not 4x4 and trailer) now may need additional mirrors when travelling inside London Emission Zone. If towing trailers may need extension mirrors to give adequate field of view.

Windscreen Wipers and Washers work?

Horn work? obviously don't try this with Ned around!!

Tyre tread and condition OK?

Make sure wheelnuts are secure, but not overtightened.

Tyre pressures OK? Don't kick the tyres, use a gauge!

Fuel, oil, engine coolant, power steering fluid, washer, clutch and brake fluid levels OK?

Look under the vehicle; are there any leaks of any of the above?

Air braked vehicles; run engine to build up air pressure. When maximum level reached turn off engine and get helper to apply foot brake. Walk around vehicle listening for leaks, helper watches gauge(s) to see if pressure drops.

Are the batteries charged and will vehicle start?

Check seats are secure, seatbelts work and all vehicle controls operate correctly.

Does the demister work and clean the inside of the windows.

Check security of all door and locker latches. Check ramp operation and latches.

Make sure that everything carried inside the vehicle is secure and won't move if you have to brake hard or swerve for any reason.

If you have fold out steps make sure that they are securely locked away when travelling.

Don't travel with spare haynets hanging off the rear or sides of vehicle, put them inside where Ned cannot get at them.

Check condition of floor and loading ramp. Get a Phillips screwdriver and try to push into floor with all your weight behind it. If tip goes in moor than depth of rubber matting, get floor professionally checked before loading horse. Do this about every 6" (or 15cms for folk that have gone metric) over entire horse area and ramp surface.

Do vehicle (and trailer brakes) work?

Check trailer hitch works properly.

Break away cable attached and in good condition?

Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes need a 'Ministry Plate.' it should be on the nearside in a clear and conspicuous position. Usually in the passengers footwell, or on the inside of the passenger door.

Vehicles over 9'9" (or 3 metres) need a height marker, must be in feet and inches and in field of view of driver.

Don't forget your mobile and charger, not that you would ever use you hand held mobile whilst driving, would you?

Carry a good torch and some spare batteries.

Emergency triangle and bulb kit are a good idea.

Write the tyre sizes fitted to your vehicle (and trailer) somewhere safe and accessible. You don't want to be crawling around on hands and knees on a dark wet road to find the information!

Carry a hi viz for each person in the vehicle. If you breakdown get people out of vehicle, particularly if on motorway or dual carriageway and get them to wait safely away from vehicle / traffic.

Make sure you've got details of your breakdown / recovery service provider, if you are a member of one.

Lastly; don't forget the Horse Passport for each horse carried and your sense of humour whilst waiting for Recover to arrive. Hopefully you won't need that
 
Achinghips said:
Winter feeding a herd ..... Place feed buckets at intervals along fence line, reach through rather than going into the field. While they are eating, go into the field to do the hay piles.

Do not go into a field with all your buckets for your herd unless you have a whip.
Click to expand...

Never feed one horse in a field with others in there. Take it outside the gate and hold it on a leadrope.
 
As above - engage brain first!
I would expand that to include: if there's a small voice in your back brain telling you that what you're about to do is probably not a good idea, then LISTEN!
 
I would never leave my horse tied next to another & also hate seeing head collars hanging from lead ropes still tied to tie rings when someone has gone off to ride. So bloody dangerous!

Also, I always do my 'checks' when travelling so it becomes habit & make sure there is nothing in the floor of trailer.
 
Last edited:
Never trust them, horses are born to damage themselves and those around them. If there is protective gear available wear it.:)
 
little_critter said:
Listen to your gut, if it says you should get off and lunge instead then get off and lunge.
Click to expand...

supsup said:
if there's a small voice in your back brain telling you that what you're about to do is probably not a good idea, then LISTEN!
Click to expand...

This, this 1000x this. Don't be too proud, don't tell yourself it's silly. Your gut instinct picks up stuff that your conscious brain can't.

I once had a feeling I should have hacked the 15 minute long way back, not the 3 minute road route back. Done both hundreds of times without incident. Told myself not to be silly and got on with it. We had a very near miss RTA.

Practice listening to it for the small stuff, then it'll be there and you can trust it for the big stuff.

The tip I'd add is to wear a hat and gloves for everything when you are handling or with horses. Again, this is another pride thing, but there have been too many incidents in the news recently of people dying in freak accidents from the ground with their horses where a hat would have saved them. Just make it your routine, hat goes on before going the same side of the stable door/fence as your horse, always. Gloves on when leading and riding.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top