Vets and Helmets

[NinjaPony]

I’m not questioning why you might want to sedate a horse for clipping, mine needs sedating for anything dentistry related so I’ve got nothing against sedating. I just thought it was strange to frame it like that; you won’t wear a hat after a head injury caused by a panicking horse, but you will sedate it. It’s not an either or situation, I just wasn’t really sure what you were getting at.

I don’t wear a hat for clipping as despite his many faults, my pony is great to clip, but I would if I was clipping something large and unpredictable.

There is definitely a stigma/unconscious prejudice in this country about wearing a hat on the ground, almost a cultural thing really. It’s as if wearing a hat on the ground is associated with inexperience. It’s interesting, I don’t wear it on the ground as often as I should but I would never dream of getting on a horse without one.

 

[TPO]

My "bean lady" always wears a hat. I've always thought that was extremely sensible of her.







I remember having a horse who'd had surgery on her pastern. During the first check up by my then vet he knelt directly in front of her and palpated thr pastern. Unsurprisingly thr mare lifted her leg resulting in a knee to vets forehead. He was seeing stars for a while... Admittedly he was a bit of an eejit, and I changed practice not long after, but a hat would have saved him from a dull one.

Wearing a hat seems like a no brainer to me. Vets usually aren't called out to happy healthy horses, excluding vaccinations/dentals, and horses in pain can be very unpredictable.

I really don't understand the pov/standpoints of some replying on here ?

 

[Skib]

I always wore a helmet on any yard as my great aunt was killed in an accident on the ground . However 23 years later I am still the only one.

 

[turkana]

I think it's a sensible idea. My normally quiet mare put a vet in hospital with a head injury.
He's an experienced vet, so not a muppet, she went up vertical when he gave her an injection. When she came down she smacked the top of his head with her lower jaw. The sound of bone on bone was sickening, fortunately there was no permanent damage and he's been out to her since.
But it could so easily have been a very different outcome.

 

[planete]

Having seen my supposedly fully sedated horse accurately kick the clippers out of the vet’s hands when he was trying to prep him for an abdominal tap I would think a vet wearing a hat to be smarter than average personally.

 

[Lyle]

I probably wouldn't notice, as I'm probably wearing mine ? I see the vets a lot for scanning mares, often with foals at foot. I wear my helmet (and body protector) for handling foals/stallions, treating leg injuries, injections etc. My horses receive plenty of groundwork and are, very well behaved, compared to a lot of horses. But, they are a 500kg animal with explosive power. A handler can be on the receiving end of a reaction that can have been caused by completely outside, uncontrollable circumstances (things like a massive tree branch dropping down next to the stable block etc).

 

[TheBigPony]

This is just another example of the linfluence of big corporates taking over vets. VetPartners were promoting this. I am not saying it is wrong but personally if a vet put a hat on to give a jab, I would question their experience, doing teeth I can see why this would be a good idea.

 

[meleeka]

This is just another example of the linfluence of big corporates taking over vets. VetPartners were promoting this. I am not saying it is wrong but personally if a vet put a hat on to give a jab, I would question their experience, doing teeth I can see why this would be a good idea.

I nearly had a hoof on my head the other day while the vet was doing a vaccination. It was an 11hh pony! I was holding and she went up and span round at the same time. The vet was the other side so was out of the way.

Horses can be unpredictable, especially when it’s a vet, so I think it’s sensible. I can’t see my vet volunteering to wear one though, nor my EDT who has been doing it decades.

 

[Abacus]

This is just another example of the linfluence of big corporates taking over vets. VetPartners were promoting this. I am not saying it is wrong but personally if a vet put a hat on to give a jab, I would question their experience, doing teeth I can see why this would be a good idea.

The influence of big corporates is contentious but this might not be a bad example. They’ve probably looked at how many vets are injured at work and are trying to do something about it. Which is important for the vets personally as well as for financial and insurance reasons.

 

[Peglo]

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.

The vet who got her helmet when she found out my horse was a TB did not ooze confidence. She kept an arms length away most of the time. The helmet didn’t bother me but her demeanour around Flo, who was standing still and happy did raise an eyebrow. Fortunately Flo didn’t bat an eye at her.

 

[Gamebird]

All very interesting replies thank you. I am interested in the comments that quite a few make a link between helmet wearing and a perceived lack of confidence. I suspect that it will be absolutely the norm in 5-10 years time, but it is a hard route for those being the pathfinders. I am an equine vet with decades of experience, and often get the slightly less easy horses to deal with. Wearing a helmet would not be in my comfort zone, however I think we may be about to have a 'seatbelt' moment for this, and look back at our younger selves wondering what on earth we were doing. I am also an employer, and feel it is my duty to protect my staff.

I do know vets, and an EDT, who tried this 10 or so years ago and lost quite a lot of business over their perceived lack of confidence, but I would like to think that times might have changed. I would never get on (nor be allowed to get on) a horse in racing yard without a BP, nor on any horse without a hat, and I survived the transition from beaglers to proper hats for dressage, so I think this is probably on a par and will become the norm.

This is not my practice, but was one of the things that sparked the debate in our practice:
Facebook

Oh, and barring the Vetpartners admirable campaign, this is NOT a corporate issue. We are owned by a corporate and they have never mentioned hats to us once. This is NOT corporate policy, this is our decision, as the vets on the ground.

 

[Birker2020]

What would you think if your vet turned up wearing a helmet? Standard policy. Not because they thought your horse was a liability or because they felt it was a potentially dangerous situation, but for every single procedure, from a vaccine upwards?

My friend lunged her five year old in front of the vet in the menage years ago. The vet was stood to the side some 20 foot or more away from the perimeter of the lunge circle leaning against the menage fence. Suddenly one of her horses shoes flew off and hit the fence right by the vets head.

It was a very surreal moment and would have undoubtedly killed the vet or at the very best outcome ended up with him in ICU.

I think when vets are messing around under stomachs and between legs they should wear a hat.

 

[cauda equina]

All very interesting replies thank you. I am interested in the comments that quite a few make a link between helmet wearing and a perceived lack of confidence. I suspect that it will be absolutely the norm in 5-10 years time, but it is a hard route for those being the pathfinders. I am an equine vet with decades of experience, and often get the slightly less easy horses to deal with. Wearing a helmet would not be in my comfort zone, however I think we may be about to have a 'seatbelt' moment for this, and look back at our younger selves wondering what on earth we were doing. I am also an employer, and feel it is my duty to protect my staff.

I do know vets, and an EDT, who tried this 10 or so years ago and lost quite a lot of business over their perceived lack of confidence, but I would like to think that times might have changed. I would never get on (nor be allowed to get on) a horse in racing yard without a BP, nor on any horse without a hat, and I survived the transition from beaglers to proper hats for dressage, so I think this is probably on a par and will become the norm.

This is not my practice, but was one of the things that sparked the debate in our practice:
Facebook

Oh, and barring the Vetpartners admirable campaign, this is NOT a corporate issue. We are owned by a corporate and they have never mentioned hats to us once. This is NOT corporate policy, this is our decision, as the vets on the ground.

It's good to see that the FB comments seem to be entirely supportive
Maybe when it's your own vet (rather than a hypothetical vet) people are less likely to think that wearing a helmet implies less competence or confidence

 

[Errin Paddywack]

Many years ago I was having a 2yr old section A gelded. He was a dainty little pony about 11.2 and until my vet tried to put a needle in him had always behaved well. He became a fire eating dragon, on his hind legs and clouting my no nonsense horse vet on his head. No damage that time luckily. Helmets are a great idea.

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

I nearly had a hoof on my head the other day while the vet was doing a vaccination. It was an 11hh pony! I was holding and she went up and span round at the same time. The vet was the other side so was out of the way.

Horses can be unpredictable, especially when it’s a vet, so I think it’s sensible. I can’t see my vet volunteering to wear one though, nor my EDT who has been doing it decades.

One of my mini ponies (sadly gone 2 yrs ago now) was an absolute brat for any jabs or teeth, but a poppet to do anything else with.
For the previous 10 yrs any attending vet was asked to put a hat on for safety as she had KO'd a junior vet not long after she arrived. I used to put on a hat and BP , administer sedalin when vet called ahead, it still took a goodly amount of patience to deal with her. (Yes, I worked on her, all mine are v good usually as per my training, yes I worked with hat and BP on so she was used to that too). She needed double iv sedation to get her quiet enough to get teeth even checked....

A 190kg pony at 33ins tall can still inflict a lot of damage. Fortunately little A at 32ins and 150kg is the complete opposite and a sweetie for anything.... except loud speakers lol.
My vets are blooming good but if they saw Tiny Fuzzy on the list, they knew PPE was the order of the day.

 

[Marnie]

It wouldn't bother me at all. I worked as an animal technician in an Equine Sports Medicine Centre over 25 years ago and we had to wear hats (and gloves) when handling horses at any time. When I worked at a landbased college it was the same - hats and gloves at all times for staff and students. When Eric was gelded last year, the vets wore hats and it made me more comfortable, particularly as they were working round his rear end. The mare in my profile picture landed my yard manager in hospital for a fortnight many years ago, having her eye socket rebuilt after she kicked out when being clipped - and she was sedated. I'm not saying a hat would have totally prevented injury but I am sure that it would not have been so severe.

 

[Sossigpoker]

This is just another example of the linfluence of big corporates taking over vets. VetPartners were promoting this. I am not saying it is wrong but personally if a vet put a hat on to give a jab, I would question their experience, doing teeth I can see why this would be a good idea.

So a vet protecting their head makes them inexperienced ?
I find that very sad.

Some horses get very violent with needles- if you don't know the horse , why wouldn't you take precautions ?

 

[Kaylum]

All our volunteers and staff wear hats and gloves when handling horses. Even if they are poo picking and horses are in the same field. They are not allowed to go into a field on their own either when poo picking There must be 2 of them it's a requirement. As is appropriate footwear. I always cringe at professional yards letting their grooms wear soft trainers.

Professionals that come onto the yard well that's up to them regarding wearing hat.

BHS riding school near me has the same rules but many don't sadly.

 

[scats]

The students who come with our local vet practice now wear helmets. I wouldn’t be surprised if the vets start doing it soon too.

Doesn’t really bother me, what someone chooses to put on their head.

 

[meleeka]

One of my mini ponies (sadly gone 2 yrs ago now) was an absolute brat for any jabs or teeth, but a poppet to do anything else with.
For the previous 10 yrs any attending vet was asked to put a hat on for safety as she had KO'd a junior vet not long after she arrived. I used to put on a hat and BP , administer sedalin when vet called ahead, it still took a goodly amount of patience to deal with her. (Yes, I worked on her, all mine are v good usually as per my training, yes I worked with hat and BP on so she was used to that too). She needed double iv sedation to get her quiet enough to get teeth even checked....

A 190kg pony at 33ins tall can still inflict a lot of damage. Fortunately little A at 32ins and 150kg is the complete opposite and a sweetie for anything.... except loud speakers lol.
My vets are blooming good but if they saw Tiny Fuzzy on the list, they knew PPE was the order of the day.

Mine is also an angel for anything else, he just doesn’t like vets! (I blame it on one years ago who just didn’t introduce herself, just opened the door and stabbed him with a needle. He was fine before that, but clearly not forgotten). He’s as good as gold for teeth. The EDT sits on a stool to do him.

 

[teacups]

If they wanted to wear a hat that would be fine, however it did bother me when a young fairly newly qualified vet told me she would sedate any horse regardless before checking teeth - can’t remember if she said she’d do that for injections too.

Mine happens to be very good about all procedures but you’d hope there would be some sort of evaluation before deciding to sedate.

Presumably sedating a horse isn’t completely without risk to the horse, and to do it as a matter of routine, no matter what, could be a worrying development.

Plus it would presumably also appear on the bill!

 

[NinjaPony]

Chuckling that the idea that a vet who wants to wear a hat for a jab is in experienced. My dainty little Welsh A is a horror with needles, and it takes two of us to get a jab in, and a lot of courage! Luckily he doesn’t rear but he will throw himself around and would absolutely kick out of the needle was anywhere other than his shoulder or neck. One time, whilst under sedation, the vet removed a bean from his sheath which was uncomfortable for him. My ‘sedated’ little pony double barrelled the wall behind him.

My previous riding pony was the opposite, no sedation needed for hock injections, I used to give him cartrophen myself and he was completely unafraid of the vets.

But I guess the point is that as a vet, turning up to meet a new horse or to give a known horse a new treatment, would you want to take that risk that you get type a instead of type b? Can we really look down on anyone just for choosing to protect their own head during a stressful time for the horse?

 

[Titchy Pony]

I would settle for vets wearing proper shoes. One was called out to the yard to stitch up a 2 year old's backside that he somehow managed to slice open on something in the field. She was wearing sandals!

 

[Auslander]

This is just another example of the linfluence of big corporates taking over vets. VetPartners were promoting this. I am not saying it is wrong but personally if a vet put a hat on to give a jab, I would question their experience, doing teeth I can see why this would be a good idea.

Why do you immediately think "inexperienced" though? Experience doesn't make someone less likely to be injured by horses objecting to having a needle inserted/other procedures.
My vet doesn't wear a helmet, but she keeps one in her car, in case she is in a situation where she thinks she might need it. I wouldn't bat an eyelid if she decided to wear one every time she came near a horse - and she is a vet with 20+ years experience.

 

[Sealine]

I know the vets from my practice always wear boots with reinforced toes and I wouldn't have an issue with them wearing a hard hat either. It's their head and if they choose to protect themselves that's fine by me.

Wearing a hard hat when handling horses is not done enough and people can be judged as novice, nervous or inexperienced when they do wear one. It's similar to the old attitudes to people wearing hi-viz when hacking but I think this is now accepted as the sensible thing to do.

 

[humblepie]

I know the vets from my practice always wear boots with reinforced toes and I wouldn't have an issue with them wearing a hard hat either. It's their head and if they choose to protect themselves that's fine by me.

Wearing a hard hat when handling horses is not done enough and people can be judged as novice, nervous or inexperienced when they do wear one. It's similar to the old attitudes to people wearing hi-viz when hacking but I think this is now accepted as the sensible thing to do.

I was just thinking exactly the same, though still know a few people who don't wear hi viz at all.

 

[Tarragon]

As a skier, it is interesting seeing how the last 20 years has gone from only children in ski school wearing helmets, to every one wearing one, bar a certain sort of French person, generally male and of a certain age.
I was reluctant to wear them initially, as I am not a risk-taker at skiing and couldn't see the point, but gradually came round to the idea and now think they are the best thing to wear to keep your head warm and goggles mist free!
It is just the few years of the transition period that is strange- soon it will be the norm and it will be odd to not wear one.

 

[spacefaer]

I guess the assumption that a vet wearing a hat could be inexperienced or nervous could come from the fact that "most" hat wearing vets will be younger, while the non hat wearing ones will tend to be older, therefore generally more experienced

 

[ihatework]

All very interesting replies thank you. I am interested in the comments that quite a few make a link between helmet wearing and a perceived lack of confidence. I suspect that it will be absolutely the norm in 5-10 years time, but it is a hard route for those being the pathfinders. I am an equine vet with decades of experience, and often get the slightly less easy horses to deal with. Wearing a helmet would not be in my comfort zone, however I think we may be about to have a 'seatbelt' moment for this, and look back at our younger selves wondering what on earth we were doing. I am also an employer, and feel it is my duty to protect my staff.

I do know vets, and an EDT, who tried this 10 or so years ago and lost quite a lot of business over their perceived lack of confidence, but I would like to think that times might have changed. I would never get on (nor be allowed to get on) a horse in racing yard without a BP, nor on any horse without a hat, and I survived the transition from beaglers to proper hats for dressage, so I think this is probably on a par and will become the norm.

This is not my practice, but was one of the things that sparked the debate in our practice:
Facebook

Oh, and barring the Vetpartners admirable campaign, this is NOT a corporate issue. We are owned by a corporate and they have never mentioned hats to us once. This is NOT corporate policy, this is our decision, as the vets on the ground.

I think you could possibly pre-empt the lack of confidence thing by making a bit of an ‘elf&safety’ / insurance comment with an eye roll!

I was thinking about this to day whilst scrubbing a hock puncture wound out in the field on a 4yo minus hat ?

 

[dogatemysalad]

All very interesting replies thank you. I am interested in the comments that quite a few make a link between helmet wearing and a perceived lack of confidence. I suspect that it will be absolutely the norm in 5-10 years time, but it is a hard route for those being the pathfinders. I am an equine vet with decades of experience, and often get the slightly less easy horses to deal with. Wearing a helmet would not be in my comfort zone, however I think we may be about to have a 'seatbelt' moment for this, and look back at our younger selves wondering what on earth we were doing. I am also an employer, and feel it is my duty to protect my staff.

I do know vets, and an EDT, who tried this 10 or so years ago and lost quite a lot of business over their perceived lack of confidence, but I would like to think that times might have changed. I would never get on (nor be allowed to get on) a horse in racing yard without a BP, nor on any horse without a hat, and I survived the transition from beaglers to proper hats for dressage, so I think this is probably on a par and will become the norm.

This is not my practice, but was one of the things that sparked the debate in our practice:
Facebook

Oh, and barring the Vetpartners admirable campaign, this is NOT a corporate issue. We are owned by a corporate and they have never mentioned hats to us once. This is NOT corporate policy, this is our decision, as the vets on the ground.

Interesting post. I too think it's a good idea that employers should protect their staff, however I don't think it's unreasonable to equate inexperience or lack of confidence with wearing a helmet on every occasion. It's prudent to introduce work practices that keep inexperienced workers safe and that means confident, time served professionals normalise the practice.
My question is, why now ? I've been wearing a helmet to ride since the 1960s and wearing a helmet on the ground in circumstances where a fresh or fearful horse might behave unpredictably. My experience tells me to be prudent because I'm able to read the horses body language and err on the side of caution.
It's undeniable that anxious or inexperienced workers, who can't read cues, need extra protection.