the last word
Staying safe around horses is not always as straightforward is it might seem and being responsible for the actions of others adds another dimension, When it comes down to the detail of where the buck stops, well “It’s with me!” confirms John Collier BHSI, who is more than qualified to have...
... the last word Do it properly; the buck stops here with me!
Our open access policy welcomes everyone, but unfortunately the moment they step on the yard, I am responsible for their wellbeing. So I have signs highlighting the risks, and more signs giving directions, but they’re not a lot of help if you cannot read or know better.
The staff are instructed to tie horses up when working with them and the risk assessment also requires them to wear a hat when leading , catching up and turning out. ‘Mamby pamby’ perhaps, but I sleep at night. Despite all of this, accidents happen; we had a livery horse bite an owner last week, on the backside, and it was a proper bite, not a nip. No point in me asking if it was tied up.... unfortunately she then developed a blood clot! Who needs to book an airline ticket to develop a deep vein thrombosis? I’m hoping the embarrassment of all the hospital staff having a viewing of the said bite might just make her tie up the horse in future, but it still takes me to pour oil on troubled waters. I’m increasingly taken with people having coaching qualifications - and don’t get me wrong, as I think they are a good thing. It’s good to set targets, know about nutrition - I’m a pie man myself - and invite feedback from the person you are coaching. You apparently don’t need to have ridden though and your generic skills will extend to all sports; definitely one size fits all. The major drawback is that these qualifications were designed for athletes, but our sport largely revolves around the horse and they are not a lot of help when your horse runs out, or naps at the first fence. You could try a discussion with your horse but I’m no Doctor Dolittle; it’s just that perhaps other skills are required as well, such as an ability to ride and understand equine behaviour. Yet another case of someone re-inventing the wheel and running with it..... There is a real need to ‘do it properly’ when working with horses, as it is a risk sport. Just today I had a query about
Equine Page 22
who was responsible when a person was hacking her friend’s horse and it kicked a car, I wasn’t there; no witnesses make it 50/50 and that’s expensive whichever way you look at it. It’s incidents like that which make British Horse Society membership seem very inexpensive, not to mention the legal helpline that comes as one of the benefits. ‘Do it properly’ also extends to loan agreements; more problems this week when a client is asked to return a pony after verbally being given it, not to mention a heartbroken child, so the advice is always to get it properly in writing. We had a case some years ago when a woman turned up to claim a pony left with us by an army family. We had
taken pity on the unloved, sway backed character and gave him a home for a good few years. This woman was very aggressive and insisted she had him back; I have to say I took a perverse pleasure in giving her a spade and showing her where he been buried.
‘Do it properly’ also means things need to be on a business footing, I’ve learnt not to assume and take things for granted. Giving good service and a reasonable price means nothing to some people, as greed gets in the way and they want it all for themselves. Empire building can be good, but it’s nice to have some choice. Keep it simple; we run a riding school so if you come for a lesson that is what you get; I might offer you a bit
of counselling but I won’t try to sell you a saddle or a puppy! We have some lovely clients and one came to me the other day to say she really enjoyed her riding but felt she was getting fatter and it was affecting her riding. She went on to say that she weighed herself every night and the scales showed she wasn’t putting weight on; I did think to myself they may have bottomed out!
However it did make me think about my own weight, so out go the pies, in comes the ryvita and I’ve also promised myself a session on the rowing machine. I’m going to make a ‘comeback’ this year, and if I am going to do it properly, then this has to be done. How many calories are there in a lettuce toastie?
www.theequinesite.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56