Health, Safety and Welfare Update November 2025

Volunteer Safety

Volunteers are Vital to Equestrian Sport, we want you to enjoy a long and safe participation.

Working with horses carries inherent risk and it is important not to add to it unnecessarily.

Some volunteer roles may involve working with machinery or vehicles and in those cases these simple suggestions may help:

• If you are not trained, or competent in using machinery, seek advice from a competent operator. Always follow the manufacturers operational or safety instructions. 
• Do not be shy - ask for instructions from a competent operator – The only silly question is the one that is not asked. If you are not comfortable do not use it.
• Use the equipment in accordance with the manufacturer’s safety instructions. No “cowboy” moves 
• Whether you are driving a tractor or using a whipper snipper wear or use appropriate personal protective equipment.
• Use correct technique or machinery when lifting heavy items 
• Never put yourself under a raised item

Take 5 for safety! Please see the Take 5 Risk Assessment Method below, which can easily be done, anywhere, any time!

Take 5 for Safety.pdf

You are an important part of the Equestrian Team! Stay safe!

Horse Welfare - FEI Campus Focus 

The FEI Campus contains a range of resources related to horse welfare-this month’s focus is on “An Introduction to Ethics and Welfare”

These courses can be accessed HERE.

In this course, you will learn about:

• The Social Licence to Operate and why it is important
• The terms that are used when discussing ethics and welfare and what they mean
• What the duty of care involves
• The Five Freedoms and the Five Domains of Animal Welfare
• How a horse’s welfare can be assessed

Stallion Safe Practice Rules & Regulations Policy

A Stallions desire to perform its natural function can pose a significant risk to other horses and people if not managed properly.

The Stallion Safe Practice Rules & Regulations Policy was last reviewed in October 2021 and, in light of a couple of recent incidents, will be further reviewed in the coming months.

In the interim, Stallion owners and organising committees are reminded that the current Stallion Safe Practices Policy and Guidelines place particular attention on identification of stallions, their restraint through secure stabling or yarding and placement in the venue regarding other horses.

For the current policy please see HERE.