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Health & Safety

 

 

Introduction

The Pony Club takes the health & safety of our members extremely seriously. Whilst we understand that there will always be some risk involved with equestrian activities, we must reduce injuries as far as we can. Our approach is to keep it simple and clear, with a risk based programme containing supporting guidance.

Core documents and material are available on the Resource Hub, as well as key documents linked directly from this page. Please see the Health, Safety, Safeguarding and Welfare Rulebook to the right.

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Health, Safety, Safeguarding and Welfare Rulebook 2024

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Risk Assessments

Risk assessment is the cornerstone of good health & safety management, and in achieving the overall aim of reducing injuries. To keep the approach clear and simple we provide templates to give an indication of the types of hazards that could be encountered and actions that could be taken, however it is extremely important that these templates are amended and reviewed to ensure the hazards that may cause injury are included, or any other hazards not covered are added. A method of undertaking this duty is to carry out and record a risk assessment for all Pony Club activities. It is a statutory requirement to have risk assessments completed prior to the event.

If you are an Official, Volunteer or Coach, the Risk Assessment Guidance and Templates are can be found in the Resource Hub in Health and Safety/Risk Assessment.

Risk Assessment Training

The Pony Club provides training to support those carrying out Risk Assessments for activities, this training is open to all- Members, coaches, volunteers and officials.

The training runs through the basics of carrying out a Risk Assessment such as identifying a Hazard and measures which could be put in place to support a safe event. These are run online via zoom and are bookable through the link below.

 

Risk Assessment Training Resource Hub

Accident Reporting

 

It is important that The Pony Club knows about accidents and injuries to everyone involved in Pony Club activities, including Members, Parents, Guardians, Volunteers, Officials, Staff and Members of the public, whether they occur during Pony Club events, or for members, if they happen elsewhere while riding or with horses.

The type of record and report made depends upon the nature of the incident and the injuries sustained:

The Incident Report Log should be used to log all non injury incidents that occur during any Pony Club organised event.  If you are an Official, Volunteer, or Coach, example Incident Report Logs can be downloaded from the Resource Hub in Health & Safety/Accident Reporting.

The Online Accident Report Form should be completed for all injury accidents, serious near misses and damage to property. The accident reporting links are below. Note: there is a printable version of the form which can be completed at the time of the accident, but the online form must be completed as soon as possible afterwards. If you are an Official, Volunteer, or Coach, printable accident forms can be downloaded from the Resource Hub in Health & Safety/Accident Reporting.

All Accident reporting documents must be retained for three years after the date of the incident or accident. Where an injured person is under 18 years, all accident forms should be kept for three years after their eighteenth birthday. Electronic copies of submitted forms are acceptable.

 

Resource Hub

Accident Reporting Links

All Injury accidents and serious near misses should be reported on the links below:

  • Branches – Complete this accident form for all accidents that result in an injury, near miss or damage to property that occur at a Pony Club Organised Event
  • Members – Complete this accident form for all accidents that result in an injury, near miss or damage to property that occur outside of an organised Pony Club Event, for example while hacking.
Branches Members Printable Version of the Online Accident Form

First Aid and Medical

Ensuring the correct first aid cover is an important aspect of Pony Club activities, as there will always be the potential for injury when handling and riding horses. It is important that a risk assessment is undertaken to determine the first aid cover required, the First Aid matrix can assist with this.

As a minimum requirement there must be a Trained First Aider at events. All First Aid Courses MUST have been completed through Face to Face Delivery to complete with the Pony Club requirements.

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Dress and Tack

The dress code for each of the individual sports is given in the individual rule books. However, there are some items of dress that have safety implications. Members are expected to dress correctly and safely for all Pony Club activities.

  • Clothing – When mounted at Pony Club activities, Members should wear a riding jacket or Branch / Linked Centre sweatshirt, plain-coloured jodhpurs, a suitable plain-coloured shirt with a collar and The Pony Club tie. As a minimum shoulders must be covered for all riding activities, except for Sports where long sleeves are compulsory.
  • Footwear – Only standard riding or jodhpur boots with a fairly smooth, thin sole and a well defined square cut heel may be worn. Plain black or brown half chaps may be worn with jodhpur boots of the same colour.  No other footwear will be permitted.
  • Jewellery – A Wristwatch, wedding ring and stock pin are permitted. With the Exception of medical bracelets, necklaces and bracelets must be removed to stop risk of injury. Any body piercings should ideally be removed before going near your horse or pony. If you must continue to wear piercings, for those that are visible, they should be only studded and should be covered with tape or plaster so that they are secure.
  • Hair – Must be tied back securely, in a safe manner to limit the risk to hair being caught and prevent scalp injuries. Sports may have additional rules.
  • Medical Armbands – Medical Armbands are advised if not accompanied by a responsible adult, including hacking on roads and are compulsory for Pony Racing and for Endurance rides.
  • Hats and Body Protectors – These are to be in accordance with guidance and meet recommended Safety Standards as detailed in the Rulebooks.

Tack

 All tack must be clean, in a good state of repair, properly fitted and suitable for purpose. Tack inspections are routinely carried out at events and the organisers may prohibit participation in the event if they consider the tack to be inadequate or unsuitable.

  • Stirrups – Stirrups should be of the correct size to suit the rider’s boots. They must have 7mm (¼”) clearance on either side of the boot. Specific guidance per sport may be applicable, please see the rulebooks for additional information.
  • Humane Girths – Humane girths are not permitted in any sport, whether during training or competition. A humane girth is described as having non-independent straps that will loosen if one of the straps was to break.
  • Saddles – It is imperative that Saddles are in a good state of repair, properly fitted and suitable for the purpose of which they are intended. Regular checks for suitable fit can be carried out by professionals. Treeless and total contact saddles are permitted to be used for general riding to support horse and pony welfare.

Need more information?

Please see the contact details to the right and get in touch if you have any queries or concerns.

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Ellie Phillips

Health and Safety Officer
T: 02476 698300 E: safety@pcuk.org