Safety Guidelines

Safety Guidelines for the Heritage Draught Horse Club Inc

The intent of these guidelines is to provide a safe place for working demonstrations with safe working practices both for the operator and the public.

All members need to recognise that they have a legal duty to take a level of care at which they are capable to protect their own and others health and safety.

Member’s personal responsibilities.

The club advices each member to supply their own first aid kit for themselves and their horses.

Members are reminded that safety is the top priority. At all club events, members need to be aware what is happening around them while working their horses, and what other people are doing while working their horses.  Take care, be alert and stay safe.

Member’s responsibilities

• Safety officer is to be adhered to by members.
• Committee can be called at any time to dicuss issues
• Stallions and entires not allowed to attend events
• Male foals up to six months or mother dependent can attend
• Horses to wear winkers at all times while in work.
• Horses are to not to be left unattended while still connected to an implement or vehicle, nor with an implement or vehicle between them in the case of pairs.
• No horses to be tied up and left unattended where members of the public can untie them.
• Horses must be secured at all times when not in use. ie yarded, hobbled and tied to something suitable that will withstand the horse pulling.
• Horses not to be tied to fencing or insecure item at any time.
• Horses must be held or tied up and fully harnessed (including reins and winkers) before hitching to a vehicle or implement. When unhitching, the horse or horses must be held or tied up when the vehicle or implement is removed, before the reins, winkers and harness is removed.
• Reins must be long enough to enable the operator to drive from behind the implement.
• Hooks or quick release clips to be used on end of trace ends or chains to allow the quick release. “D” shackles are not suitable.
• The driver must always be seated in the vehicle, holding the reins and have the horses under control before any passenger mounts or dismounts the vehicle.
• Implements are not to be ridden on in any manner, unless a seat is fitted to the implement.  One seat means one person. A sled is a general purpose farm tool and has many applications and can carry more than one person.
• No riding of horses at any event.
• All horses must be well trained and experienced in the work that they are to perform.
• Use of equipment must suit the purpose.

Safety is the responsibility of all members and you must ensure that your actions do not affect other members.