Vets and Helmets

[Mrs. Jingle]

I definitely wouldn't have a problem with it, their head their choice. Having seen my old vet in ICU in hospital for several weeks and off work for nearly a year after being kicked in the head by a cow it does make me question that perhaps it might be a wise decision. ?‍

But then I never wear one myself even when doing tricky things with tricky horses. Or I should say I didn't, but I probably will now that my last accident has left me a bit mildly away with the fairies on and off, so another blow to the head might not work out too well for me. ?

 

[ExRacers]

Yes my vets are attached to a teaching hospital and are accompanied by students and all wear helmets at every visit no matter what is being done.

 

[ihatework]

I’m quite surprised they don’t already!

 

[Landcruiser]

My EDT doesn't wear one and my heart is in my mouth as one of my horses can be less than cooperative when wearing the brace. I think it's an excellent idea for vets and EDTs to have head protection.

 

[webble]

A few on our yard had the vet out for vaccs recently. It was leahurst and whilst the vet didn't wear a helmet all the students did. Seems sensible really

 

[tda]

Wouldn't even query it, if any equine professional wore a hat. My lots are pretty chilled with the vet and often jabs get done in the field / on the yard, but I know they have lots of clients who aren't!

 

[southerncomfort]

Good idea!

 

[splashgirl45]

No problem tbh I think we are all a bit cavalier when it comes to being around horses. I'm on blood thinners and having seen how much I bleed even with the slightest scratch, I try to look after my head!

Good idea, I’ve been on blood thinners for a few years and carried on riding even though I didn’t have my own. I fell off on to the road and thought I fell mainly on my bum and my back and was more concerned about my replacement hips, felt a bit light headed and went to A&E and they found I had a brain bleed, I was in hospital for 2 & 1/2 weeks. I don’t recall hitting my head, the pain was down my back but when I looked at my hat there was a small mark which corresponded with the brain bleed source. The hospital said that if I had just gone to bed that night I may not have woken up the next morning , very scarey. So be careful Oldie .

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

I've said to my vet I'm comfortable with them fetching a hat. I always put mine on when I go into his stable when he's in pain, the vet is used to me grabbing my hat and gloves when she asks for the horse to be trotted up. He's only a 3yo and huge.

 

[Fjord]

It's actually a very sensible idea, I'd be quite happy if anyone who came to see my horse wore a hat. To be honest, we should all probably wear one more often.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

It wouldn't bother me but I would question in my head if they are an idiot or not. I've had to deal with too many idiot vets to give them the benefit of the doubt before I see them work.

All students have to wear one at the Dick.

I got clobbered on the head when clipping by a horse that reared and clipped the back of my head on its way down. There was a 1.5cm cut that obviously bled like buggery because its a head wound. Went to A&E begrudgingly purely because it wouldn't stop bleeding. Turns it the cut went down to my skull and the bloomin doc wouldn't take a pic of it for me! I mean come on! How often are you going to see your own skull exposed in your lifetime?!? It was a freak accident. I was none the worse for wear though I have to say the next day was funny! Only I could get knocked on the head by a metal shod hoof and come out with a sore arse the next day! I had pulled all the muscles in it when I twisted away from the horse ?

Do I wear a hat to clip now? No. Am I more needle happy with sedation? Too bloody right! No need to be a hero and fight a horse that doesn't like it! Sparko it and get the job done safely.

 

[PipsqueakXy22]

I don’t know why anyone would have a problem with it, better safe than sorry over something like this, apparently being an equine vet is one of the most dangerous professions in the country, and id say risks are higher when you’re poking around a horse that’s ill or in pain.

 

[NinjaPony]

Sorry but I’m failing to see how a vet wearing a hat would make you question if they were an idiot or not.

I also can’t see how sedating a horse is a good alternative to wearing a hat.

Whether the vet wears a hat is completely up to them, but it wouldn’t make me think any better or worse of them.

 

[Abacus]

I can’t really see any reason why they wouldn’t. Many years ago I had one out nerve blocking a horse and as he jabbed just under the fetlock with a pen, the horse jerked his foot. Vet was bending over with his head close to the foot and got ‘kicked’, although it wasn’t deliberate. Lots of blood and concussed. He was frankly a bit of an idiot as it was predictable and he had his head very close to that foot but a helmet would have been a good idea even with that calm good horse.

 

[Keith_Beef]

It wouldn't surprise me at all. There are a couple of horses that I ride regularly who, on occasion, can be a tad difficult to tack up.

I put on my helmet when I see that the house is a bit less co-operative than usual because if it spins around in a confined space it could knock me and I could trip in the deep straw and fall, knocking my head against the wall.

 

[Red-1]

I have been in the ridiculous situation a few times where I have been wearing hat and gloves but the vet hasn't (usually an unknown or unsettled horse). Them wearing one would please me, TBH.

 

[Palindrome]

I wouldn't mind, on the contrary my vets keep having their heads too close to my mare's legs, I find it a bit stressful.
Last time it was for vaccines, I was holding my mare with treats in my hand to give at the right moment, the vet decided to go underneath her neck back and forth. The problem is that I have taught my fairly food oriented mare to lift her leg (Spanish walk style) to get treats so I was worried the vet would get knocked. Fortunately the mare didn't move and I then had time to tell the vet.
Also, when pulling my filly's wolf teeth, the vet was getting mouthwash stuff into his eyes, I offered safety glasses but he declined.

 

[maya2008]

Sensible - I don’t let my kids in the field without a hat! I would think sensible for vet, farrier, EDT. Especially for a less experienced practitioner or a possibly reactive horse.

As part of their uniform, would hope the practice is paying for the hats though!!!

 

[SpotsandBays]

I think it’s a sensible idea.
Treating an unfamiliar animal, in sometimes an uncomfortable/stressed state - it makes sense really!

 

[Flame_]

Sorry but I’m failing to see how a vet wearing a hat would make you question if they were an idiot or not.

Funny isn't it? None of the vets I've ever used have worn hats and if a new one came wearing one my confidence would droop until they impressed me. It's hard to explain why.

 

[nagblagger]

[QUOTE="Flame_, post: ]Funny isn't it? None of the vets I've ever used have worn hats and if a new one came wearing one my confidence would droop until they impressed me. It's hard to explain why.[/QUOTE]

I think it depends when they put it on, if they had it on as they got out the car and talking to you, yes maybe a bit odd, but to put one on while examining the horse = sensible.

 

[ArklePig]

I'm another one suddenly questioning why they don't as routine. I can think of three people off the top of my head I knew/knew of killed by a kick - one being a farrier. I'd be happy to see if become a thing.

 

[blitznbobs]

Id think their insurance policy or boss insists on it - health and safety everywhere - which is a good and a bad thing

 

[dogatemysalad]

I've never come across a vet or equine professional wearing a helmet, but I don't have an issue if they choose to do so. However, I would have an issue with a professional who wasn't confident handling my horse. Horses don't have confidence in people who don't have confidence in themselves.
Wear a hat or don't wear a hat, just don't be anxious around my horse.

 

[Vodkagirly]

My massage person has started wearing one with all horses, I'm always surprised clipping people don't when doing legs.

 

[Sossigpoker]

I'd think "good for them taking steps to be safe". Vets usually see horses when the horses are sick or in pain , or stick needles in them , so it makes sense to take some precautions.

 

[HashRouge]

I've never come across a vet or equine professional wearing a helmet, but I don't have an issue if they choose to do so. However, I would have an issue with a professional who wasn't confident handling my horse. Horses don't have confidence in people who don't have confidence in themselves.
Wear a hat or don't wear a hat, just don't be anxious around my horse.

I think this might be why a couple of other posters have said they would be silently questioning the vet if they wore a hat, because it would maybe make the vet seem nervous or unconfident around horses. But that is just because we aren't used to seeing vets wear hats. if it became the norm, this would change very quickly.

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

[QUOTE="dogatemysalad, post: 15104175, member: 10693
Wear a hat or don't wear a hat, just don't be anxious around my horse.[/QUOTE]

I agree wholeheartedly with this, even my relatively relaxed old mare can get fidgety if someone doesn't exude confidence around her. I think being nervous around any horse would put me off a vet, but if they wear a hat I would be fine with that.

 

[Honey08]

Surely nobody would be bothered by that?

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

I also can’t see how sedating a horse is a good alternative to wearing a hat..

If I am sedating a horse it's because it WILL kill me if it's awake. I've done my time twitching, ear plugging and pinning horses against the walls and getting battered for my efforts. Only once has a clipping injury involved my head. Once in over 2000 clips.

Eta I never clip legs off. Half head and legs in, everything else off.