Why Risk Assessments Matter for equestrian yards

Running an equestrian premises comes with a unique set of risks.

Horses are large, powerful and unpredictable animals, while everyday yard activities can involve machinery, vehicles, heavy lifting, maintenance work and working in isolated or rural locations.

For employers and yard owners, identifying those risks isn't about creating unnecessary paperwork.

A good risk assessment should be a practical tool that helps identify where accidents could happen, put sensible measures in place to reduce risks, and ensure everyone working on the yard understands what is expected of them.

Importantly, risk assessments shouldn't be treated as a one-off exercise.

Yards change, staff change and horses change, so regular reviews help ensure health and safety procedures continue to reflect the realities of the workplace.

Look at the yard through fresh eyes

It's easy to become accustomed to the way a yard operates. A stony pathway to the arena, an awkward gate or a horse that is difficult to handle can simply become part of the daily routine.

A risk assessment provides an opportunity to step back and consider those hazards objectively.

This could include looking at:

• how horses are handled
• how staff move around the yard
• where vehicles and machinery operate
• how visitors are managed.

Less obvious health and safety risks should also be considered, including manual handling, slips and trips, dust, chemicals, fire safety, electrical equipment and working outdoors in difficult weather.

The aim isn't to eliminate every risk, but to identify foreseeable risks, and take reasonable steps to control them.

Consider your staff and their experience

 When you employ staff, health and safety responsibilities extend beyond simply providing equipment and expecting employees to follow yard routines.

Employers have duties to assess workplace risks and take reasonably practicable steps to protect employees and others who may be affected by their work.

This means also considering the experience, knowledge and abilities of the people carrying out particular tasks.

A new member of staff may not have the same level of experience as someone who has worked with horses for many years. Similarly, an experienced groom may be unfamiliar with a particular piece of machinery or a new yard procedure.

Staff should understand how to carry out their duties safely, and training should be refreshed when circumstances change rather than being treated as a one-time exercise.

Don't overlook lone working

Lone working is particularly relevant to the equestrian industry. Early starts, late finishes, weekend duties and rural locations can mean that someone is working alone for significant periods.

A risk assessment should consider what could happen if a lone worker is injured, becomes unwell or encounters a difficult horse.

Practical measures could include agreed check-in procedures, facilities to charge a mobile phone, clear emergency contacts and ensuring staff know when a task should not be undertaken alone.

Think about the horses too

 Good risk management benefits both people and horses. Procedures should consider the individual temperament, behaviour and handling requirements of the horses on the yard. Staff need to know which horses may present challenges and what procedures are in place for managing them safely.

Changes in a horse's behaviour, health or management can also introduce new risks, making good communication between staff essential.

Review and improve

A risk assessment should never simply be completed, filed away and forgotten. It should be reviewed when circumstances change — for example, when taking on new staff, introducing machinery, changing the layout or routine of the yard, altering working practices or following an accident or near miss.

Staff should also be encouraged to report hazards and concerns. The people working on the yard every day may identify practical problems that aren't immediately obvious to an owner or manager.

Regular risk assessments, sensible procedures and appropriate staff training can make a significant difference to the safety and wellbeing of everyone on the yard — while helping to create an environment where horses can be managed safely and effectively too.

About the author

Cheryl Johns, owner and founder of LiveryList and the Yard Owner Hub, is a qualified and experienced yard manager, marketing advisor and business consultant with experience across a range of industries. She works as a consultant for equestrian charities and organisations developing their understanding of the livery sector.

About LiveryList

Launched in 2011, LiveryList is the UK’s leading directory of equestrian establishments. In 2023 they launched the Yard Owner Hub, and industry leading and industry recognised resource for the owners of equestrian establishments.