Safety Protocol

At the Peep Out care should always be taken to ensure that horse, rider and handler are operating as safely as possible. This will be achieved by having clear knowledge of horses and ensuring correct horses and equipment  are selected for the appropriate client and activity

THE YARD

Horses and Staff

  • All horses must be lead into yard and tethered by lead rein on stable side of yard.
  • All tethers to have easy break attachments, for ease to untether quickly
  • Yard gate to be shut when horses with clients in yard
  • All horse and stable equipment to be in places allocated, nothing to be left lying in yard
  • All horse muck to be cleared immediately to wheel barrow and stored out of way
  • All equipment to be maintained for safety and hygiene
  • First aid box available in barn.
  • Staff in charge to have received full first aid training for horse related activities
  • Tea making facilities, kettle to be kept on tray.
  • Cups always washed out immediately after use.
  • Electric cables to be out of way and protected from water.
  • Scissors, knives etc to be stored in specific drawer for sharp objects

Clients

Vehicles

  • Drive slowly into yard with extreme caution
  • Always give way to horses and people.
  • Parking in the yard only where allocated.Spectators to stand in designated areas
  • All children under 16 to be supervised by an adult. Wear good footwear at all times except on a swimming session
  • Grooming and horse care must only be carried out under supervision of Peep Out staff.
  • Riders must all have an assessment of ability in the sand school before hacking out.
  • Riding helmets to be worn at all times when on horseback on land.

MOUNT AND DISMOUNT

  • Staff to always stand by horse’s head when client’s mounting.
  • Ensure mounting block is on level ground before use.
  • Staff to check girths, stirrup leathers etc once client is mounted.
  • Only release horse head when client is ready and in control of horse
  • Staff supervise dismount and ensure client is retaining control of horse
  • Staff to assist beginners and anyone with physically challenging issues to dismount
  • Demonstrate if necessary how to tether horse safely on return.
  • Staff to supervise untacking.
  • Be aware of short people untacking tall horses and offer support as appropriate to ensure no damage when lifting.

RIDING    

  • In advance, check no’s and approximate abilities to ensure we are correctly staffed.
  • Establish emergency procedures and communicate to group
  • Check ability of riders beforehand, assessment in sand school.
  • Ensure appropriate safety helmets worn by all participants
  • Ensure long sleeves and trousers worn
  • Ensure appropriate footwear for riding with stirrups and safety in the yard.
  • Ensure routes are selected to suit least able rider
  • Select route carefully
  • Follow the Country Code
  • Hi viz to be worn by staff for road work

ADVERSE WEATHER

  • Obtain detailed weather forecasts and call off event if unsuitable
  • Issue advice on appropriate clothing and footwear
  • Provide sun cream
  • Provide/ ask clients to provide adequate food and drink
  • Establish emergency procedures and provide contact numbers

ALLERGIES/MEDICAL

  • Obtain information on known allergies suffered by any member of the group
  • Ensure regular medication is carried by student
  • Provide insect repellent 

SWIMMING WITH HORSES

HORSES AND STAFF

  • Each horse has a trained handler
  • Each horse to wear specially designed swim bridle and extra long swim lead rein
  • All staff to be trained prior to taking clients out
  • All staff wear whistles to communicate above sound of sea and over distance
  • Full safety brief to be given by Lead Swimmer to staff and clients in yard and on beach
  • All horses to be led in and out of sea with no rider
  • Handlers to hold lead rein at all times unless competency of rider has been recognised by swim leader.
  • Lead swimmer to wear flippers when swimming out of depth with horses
  • Allow safe room between horses when mounting and dismounting into the sea.
  • If big party sharing horses an extra handler to remain on beach to support transitions

CLIENTS

  • Dismount on beach and remove riding hat shoes etc.
  • Only wear wet suit/swimwear into sea
  • Listen and follow instructions of safety brief given by swim leader
  • Allow handler to take your horse into the sea.
  • Approach handler of your horse and request assistance in mounting your horse in the sea
  • Take extra care of barefeet near hooves
  • When turning your horse in the sea, always turn towards the sea not the beach.
  • Use of cameras when riding is allowed but be aware of safety first and ask handler to take control at these times.
  • When swimming hold onto mane and lay down along their backs so horse can swim unhindered.
  • Dismount before leaving the beach and allow handler to lead your horse from the sea.