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Find out the latest news for January, February & March 2008

 

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·   “Don’t think that someone else will do it...”

·   The Queen makes Christmas donation to the BHS and AHT's Strangles Appeal

·   Government guide on fire risk assessment for horse keepers published

·   Tim Stockdale masterclass for Health and Safety with Horses students

·   Training is crucial for equine welfare

·   BHS Safety Conference hears that ‘safety is a state of mind’

·   Council promotes health & safety at riding schools 

·   Injured equestrians highly experienced - new study reports

·   Safety heroes recognised at The British Horse Society Sefton Awards

·   The British Horse Society awards 'unsung heroes' of horse world

·   Award winning study shows complications during foaling on the rise

·   Special award for Professor "Twink" Allen at Animal Health Trust

·   Special award for vet working with rescued horses

·   What do you think of health and safety?

·   Equine dental technicians and barefoot trimmers’ survey

·   Consultation of the code of practice for the welfare of equines – Scotland and Wales

·   Flooding Lessons Learned Review

·   Foot and Mouth Review

·   Defra publishes contingency plan for exotic animal diseases

·   British young rider killed in Florida International three-day event

·   French rider dies at Moulin one-day event

·   FEI looks again at eventing safety following another death

·   Revised Highway Code launched amidst concern from riders

·   Horse riders lose out to BMW in bridleway row

·   County supports ten-year old Hannah's horse safety campaign

·   The BHS opens Sea Horse Ride from the mouth of the River Dee to the A5

·   BHS Access Petition

·   The BHS wins royal safety award  

·   New powers may ban off-roaders

·   Skills CV launched for equine grooms

·   Riders warned not to exercise horses alone near Brixham in Devon

·   New plans to protect show judges

·   The British Horse Society rides in to help young people with difficulties

·   Racing simulator will train jockeys' minds and bodies

·   ILPH launches bursary for equine vet students

·   Injured horse put down

·   Dead yearling found dumped in Hertfordshire lane

·   Man charged following horse drowning at Appleby Fair

·   Warrant issued for arrest of Essex woman who breached ban

·   Surrey horse abuser arrested, fined and banned for 10 years

·   Spotlight on Dartmoor pony safety after more deaths

·   Council swoops to rescue abandoned horses in Middlesex

·   FEI acts to combat abuse of show jumpers legs

·   Horse welfare at top of FEI review of endurance riding

·   ‘Credit card’ bid to cut animal accidents

·   New intensive care unit for horses at University of Liverpool

·   Defra/AHT/BEVA equine quarterly disease surveillance report - Volume 3, No 3 now available

·   Twenty-six horses die in barn fire

·   Police appeal after arsonists torch stables

·   Woman, child and horse die in road accident

·   Woman rider dies in a fall at stables

·   Wiltshire man dies from kick

·   Jouster dies after being speared through eye in freak accident

·   Crash injures man and kills horse

·   Child injured in low-flying incident with military helicopters

·   Champion rider,11, is seriously injured by kick to head

·   Ponies killed after escaping from showground

·   Firefighters help rescue Shire horse trapped in ditch

·   Horse lucky to be alive after becoming trapped in cattle grid

·   EU Welfare in transport Regulation – extension given to obtain competence certification

·   Driver wins £1.25m pay-out after hitting runaway horse

·   Jockey gets £85,000 for broken leg

·   Responsible Horse Owners to Benefit from MP’s Proposed Law

·   Workplace health, safety and welfare: a short guide for managers

·   Myth of the Month

·   Australian toddler tossed, killed by horse

·   Equine businesses chance to shake up industry education and training - the equine consultation event - 30 January 2008 – York

·   Equine businesses chance to find out about funding - Somerset - 15 February 2008 

·   BETA International, NEC, Birmingham 17-19 February 2008

·   Timetable of other events

·   Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) 

·   Australian Equine Influenza outbreak

·   Breaking the Strangles Hold - campaign update

·   ILPH tackles obesity in horses

·   BETA's Body Protector Survey Continues...

·   Gee Guards - protective padding for structural hazards within equine facilities

·   Information

·   Training Resources

·   Sources of Help

·   ABRS introduces new "centres of excellence" award for top yards

·   ILPH considers changing its name

·   Banned farrier fined after he kept on shoeing after being struck off

·   London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games - BEF unveils “Hoof” initiative

·   Riders in row over horse droppings

·   Councillors vote to make landau horses wear nappies

·   Sarah hoofs it to hospital after horse play

"Don’t think that someone else will do it; don't think that "they" will do it, because that "they" is you."  This was the powerful message from a prominent leader of the horse industry several years ago.  Well, in this edition we report on the awards presented to those who have done exactly that, taken the initiative and over the years, made lasting contributions to equestrianism.  As well as award winners, we report on those who are taking the initiative now:  the ten-year old girl who persuaded her county council to back her riding and road safety campaign, and the Horse & Hound Forum user who, in the wake of the Amersham horse rescue operation, started Operation Esther - the highly successful national campaign to provide the much needed support to the horse charities taking in rescued horses, ponies and donkeys.  So to those who sometimes criticise "they should do more"… the message is:  don't moan, take the initiative and get stuck in.   You’ll be amazed at the difference your efforts can make.

Twenty-six horses perished in a fire at a well-established livery yard in America.  The cause may never be known.  In nearly every edition, Riding Safely reports on equine deaths as a result of fire.  Please, please, make sure that you undertake and keep up to date your fire and arson risk assessments.  Hold mock fire drills and make sure that everyone knows what to do in the event of a fire.

As another equestrian is seriously injured because of military low flying to "maintain perishable skills”, we have to ask the question “How many more equestrians must perish because of this pursuit?”  However, there are things that equestrians can do to minimise the risk and Riding Safely points to information that can help.

Finally, in a new study of serious injuries among Alberta’s adult horse riders, two-thirds of the riders believed their injuries were preventable.  Riding is a risk sport - we all know that.  The moment you go anywhere near a horse there's the potential for injury.  But that potential can be greatly reduced through providing information and training, proper supervision, and protecting against complacency.  Let's make 2008 the year where we aim to prevent the preventable accidents.

 

Ken Law 

Editor 

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Winter Fire Safety tips for the Stables – from Harry Paviour

With the long dark and cold winter nights there will always be the temptation to introduce portable and temporary heating appliances to the inside of buildings that do not normally have heating arrangements.

The only safe type of heaters are those that are fixed at high level, are provided with suitable guards to the heating elements and do not create heat by way of live flame, or incandescent electrical coils. Ideally, heaters that produce a 'Black' heat should only be used. The practice of using summer LPG gas fired patio heaters should not be considered.

On inclement weather days when the farrier arrives to carry out hot shoeing, he should not be permitted to work inside buildings unless he has a clear and clean working space free from all combustibles and on a concrete floor.

The temptation to reduce the amount of combustible rubbish by burning should be resisted. However, if absolutely necessary, restrict any burning to daylight hours, and then only well away and downwind of any buildings, barns or outside combustible storage.  Extinguish the fire completely as darkness falls.

Dark winter months are also attractive times for the arsonist to strike.  Carry out or review your arson risk assessment and secure or remove all readily accessible combustibles - solids, liquids and gases. Make sure that you secure all buildings and vehicles at night.

Stay safe for the winter months.

Harry Paviour

 

Riding Safely adds – before burning any waste check with your local Environmental Health Officer that you're allowed to do so.  Also make sure that your fire risk assessment assesses and controls the additional risks created by your winter heating requirements.  Particularly vulnerable areas include tack rooms where heaters are often introduced and used during the winter months.

 

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The Queen makes Christmas donation to the BHS and AHT's Strangles Appeal

Her Majesty The Queen has dug into her own pocket to make a donation to The British Horse Society and The Animal Health Trust's Strangles Appeal.

Her Majesty sent a cheque to the BHS, of which she has been Patron for 60 years, to help the charities fight the terrible disease that attacks horses.

The generous gift, from the Privy Purse Charitable Trust, was made with the proviso that its size remains undisclosed.  Her Majesty decided to donate after talking about Strangles with BHS Scotland Development Officer Helene Mauchlen, to whom the cheque has been sent.

BHS Chairman Patrick Print said: "We are very grateful to our Patron The Queen for making this gift. We are striving to raise £250,000 by the end of next year to fund research to find a fully effective vaccine against Strangles. I have no doubt Her Majesty's example will encourage other horse lovers to give to this worthy cause."

Anyone can donate to the Strangles Appeal by posting a cheque to Strangles Appeal, Animal Health Trust, FREEPOST CB360, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 7BR or phoning the AHT to make a donation credit card or direct debit on 08700 502380.

Source British Horse Society 19 December 2007

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