SELF-ASSESSMENT GUIDE FOR COMMUNITY EVENT ORGANISERS:

RESPONDING TO INCIDENTS INVOLVING HORSES

A self-assessment guide to aid in the evaluation of response capabilities where large animal rescue techniques may be utilised

Julie FiedlerPeople.Horses.Culture Conference

2016

Organisers of community events involving animals are

facing increasing challenges related to

a) proactively manage animal welfare (social licence)

b) keep volunteer workers safe

It is when an incident occurs, and there is potential

danger to people and horses, that the organisation’s

policies, procedures and training is put into the

spotlight.

The introduction of large animal rescue systems into

existing horse incident response plans may be one way

to improve outcomes for human safety and horse

welfare.

Large animal rescue (LAR) provides a structure for

managing a team of people, including a

communication system and a set of manual

handling techniques, which enable a trapped,

injured or deceased horse to be manoeuvred to a

safer place.

Introducing LAR into horse incident response

procedures can reduce;

damage to corporate image through ‘traditional’ methods used to handle deceased or recumbent horses

injury to volunteers e.g. back strain, kicks when working on high-risk scenarios e.g. handling a recumbent horse

Further horse welfare issues occurring through a poor rescue technique

poor communication leading to confusion and delay

‘What are the basic large animal rescue techniques?’

Large animal rescue ethos considers the horse as an equine medical patient. Working largely from the safer dorsal (spine) side of the horse, techniques have been developed to ensure a safer workplace for volunteers and to improve recovery outcomes for the horse.

It is highly recommended that prior to moving the horse, a veterinary assessment is undertaken and sedation is administered before LAR manual handling techniques are applied.

“We don’t get things go wrong very often”

Organising committees who issue and an invitation for

owners to bring their horses to a venue to participate in a

sport or recreation activity plan for an experience that is

underpinned by the safety and well-being of all

participants.

Imagine the feeling of shock a horse owner could

experience if their animal falls and remains recumbent in

the performance arena and no provisions were in place to

immediately screen off the scene and have the equine

patient managed by pre-nominated and trained personnel.

The situation where volunteers and spectators ‘jump in’ to help out a horse and rider involved in an incident, regardless of a suitable risk assessment, a lack of protective clothing and no planning for a safer work procedures are fast disappearing.

Images of the incident circulate online for years to come, resulting in long term damage to the reputation of the event and organisation.

“But we’ve always

done it that way.”

Assessing the capability of your horse event to respond to an incident with large animal rescue techniques

A written incident response plan to consider…Level One:Limited capability to respond to a horse/ rider incident.(Associated with lower risk activities)

Level Two:Standard capability to respond to a horse/rider incident.(Associated with medium risk activities)

LAR trained veterinarian on callFirst aid officer appointed Basic LAR kit incl. screeningAwareness level training to keep the scene safe and work with emergency servicesRecord where additional resources can be quickly brought in

LAR trained veterinarian on siteParamedics on siteIntermediate LAR kit(s) incl. screensDedicated trained LAR response teamHorse ambulance

Level Three:Advanced capability to respond to a horse/rider incident.(Associated with higher risk activities)

LAR trained veterinarian, field hospital or nearby facilityDoctor on course, human medical facilitiesIncident response plan is benchmarked/ auditedAdvanced LAR kit, including heavy lift Advanced trained LAR response team Planning considers multi-horse & multi-incidents occurring simultaneously or within short timeframes

Images: SA SES

Two key people who will help improve responses to incidents involving horses

1. A vet trained in large animal rescue techniques

A LAR trained veterinarian will increase the likelihood of a

successful rescue through working as part of a multi-skilled

team, improving horse welfare outcomes and supporting a

safer working environment for people.

2. Horse welfare officersAppointed by organisations or engaged as consultants,

horse welfare officers have the opportunity to undertake a

role which promotes horse welfare throughout the

organisational structure and at events, including during and

after any incidents

When it all goes pear-shaped

Managing a deceased horse

A horse that dies unexpectedly or is euthanized at an event venue provides a unique set of welfare, logistical and administrative challenges which, if mishandled, could potentially risk damage to the reputation of the organisation.

Foremost, there is a ‘social’ or public, expectation that a deceased horse will be managed with dignity, and in a calm, efficient manner.

Event managers may have the assumption that because ‘experienced’ horse personnel are on the grounds, that the ‘right thing’ will be done.

This is not a plan

Screens and ScreeningThe benefits of using screens include:

Horse welfare outcomes are improved by the use of screens through reducing visual stimuli, which in turn calms the horse, minimizing the opportunity for further injury to occur to the horse or humans.

Personnel attending the horse have a level of privacy in which to plan and undertake tasks without intrusive photographs, inappropriate verbal instructions from spectators or intrusion by unauthorised individuals.

Screens reduce the potential for psychological stress to be experienced by spectators

The psychological health and well-being of all people in the workplace delineated by screens must be incorporated within organisational written incident plans, training programs and de-briefing sessions.

Screening can be used for any level of people and/or horse incident

Images: www.stuartcanvas.co.uk

First steps to introducing large animal rescue at your club event

After completing the self-assessment earlier, the organising

committee may decide to start out to achieve the first level

status. The areas to get started on are;

writing down a plan and resource requirements

identifying a local veterinarian with large animal rescue

training

procuring equipment required, keeping in mind the

capability of the club

building awareness level skills and knowledge amongst

club members and volunteers through training

However real progress will be limited…The ‘To Do’ List

There are currently no dedicated Units of CompetenceOr

Basic Large Animal Rescue skills clearly written into existing units of competency

+ need to formally add LAR to the Public Service Training Package (Emergency Services)

In wider uses, LAR training can also be applied to

• Job roles involving animal welfare investigation• Loading & unloading livestock for export, transport• Handling large animals in sale yards, abattoirs

Industry investment: There is opportunity for development of sports specific LAR knowledge, skills

and equipment for contextualized application e.g. Racing, eventing, endurance.

Top: MaryAnne Leighton Equine Emergency Rescue Bottom: Friends of Hampshire Fire & Rescue

Top & centre: University of Adelaide Bottom: Hampshire Fire & Rescue

Horse SA

www.horsesa.asn.auE: horsesa@horsesa.asn.au

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‘SELF-ASSESSMENT GUIDE FOR

COMMUNITY EVENT ORGANISERS:

RESPONDING TO INCIDENTS INVOLVING

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