1. Horse Safety
Alison Flury – AliBoo Farm Inc.
Stirrup Safety – Safety Check Inc.

2. Horse Sense
 NOT – One end of the horse kicks the other
bites
 DEF: How horses think and react and how to
work around them
 Inherent risk associated with working around
and with horses
 Maintain safe conditions

3. How many things are
wrong in this picture?

4. Equine Instincts
 Constant awareness to surroundings
 Louds noises, rustling, sudden
motion, anything that looks out of place
 Desensitization- gradually introduce horses
to items until they no longer perceive them
as a threat
 Startle easily, strong flight instinct
 Perceive danger first instinct is to run away
 If unable to run, kicking out or rearing occurs

5. New Employee
 New Hire Orientation
 Health and Safety Guidelines gone over and
demonstrated
 Hands on Training and Overseeing
 Working around horses safely and
competently

6. Working around horse
 Pay attention to the position of the ears
 Very good hearing
 Express emotional state
 Be aware of there blind spots
 Right in front of nose and directly behind them

7. What Ears Tell Us
 Alert – ears pricked forward head up eyes wide
nostrils flared and muscles tense
 Attentive – ears flicking back and forth
 Angry – ears pinned back flat against head, bared
teeth and tight pinched look around mouth and
nostrils, tail swishing, legs lifted
 Frightened – Head up, whites of eyes visible, tail
wringing
 Relaxed – Head and neck low, ears to the side,
eyes calm, mouth relaxed, lower lip may droop

8. Proper Attire
 Well fitted clothing, nothing baggy, draping, or
loose
 Work gloves to avoid splinters, blisters, rope burn
 When riding a helmet is NECESSARY
 Avoid Dangling earrings and other jewelry
 Wear sturdy shoes or recognized riding boots
 SANDALS AND FLIPFLOPS NOT APPROPRIATE

9. INCORRECT CORRECT

10. Approaching a Horse
 Avoid coming up to a horse in their blind spots
 Approach from the side or at an angle so they can see you
coming
 Talk to the horse
 If the horse is in an enclosed area, wait for the horse to turn
around and face you before approaching
 Pay attention to the horses demeanor
 As you approach the horse put a hand on his body so that he
can keep track of where your at
 Make movements that are smooth and deliberate
 Act confident

11. INCORRECT CORRECT
(never stand behind a horse (always approach from the front
without him knowing) of the horse)

12. Leading a Horse
 Secure horse with halter and lead rope
 Make sure that the lead rope is not wrapped around
your hand or dragging on the ground
 Fold the lead rope to hold it properly and have two
hands on it
 ALWAYS use a lead rope never lead a horse around by
the halter
 Stand on the left side facing forward positioned at the
horses shoulder for control and safety
 Keep a foot in length between you and the horse and
do not let the horse crowd, pull ahead, or lag behind
you

13. INCORRECT
(never wrap a lead rope around
your arm) CORRECT

14. Stall Safety
 Be aware of your position when in an enclosed
area so you do not get pinned
 When bringing a horse out of the stall:
 always shut the door behind you when you walk
in to put the halter on so the horse does not run
out
 make sure the horse is facing you
 When putting a horse away turn them around in
the stall to face you by the door

15. INCORRECT
(stall door not opened all the way
and latch out CORRECT

16. Grooming a Horse
 Talk to him and keep your nearest hand on him so he
knows where you are
 Keep your body close to the horses, but be mindful of
where your feet are in relation to him
 Keep your feet parallel to the horses body to avoid
being stepped on
 DO NOT pass under the horses neck
 DO NOT sit or kneel on the ground next to the
horse, crouch down when it is necessary to reach
something lower
 NEVER set your hand on the ground
 Be aware of their sensitive places, typically the belly and
flanks but make sure to keep an eye on them as all
horses have different areas that tickle them

17. INCORRECT
(never place hands or kneel on
ground next to horse) CORRECT

18. Barn Safety
 Cleanliness
 Fire Protection
 Organization
 Plan for emergency’s

19. Good Housekeeping
 Put equipment back in its proper place after
use: roll up hoses, hang up shovels, etc
 Regularly check for protruding nails,
splintered boards, and other sharp edges
 Store feed out of reach of horses and in an
airtight rodent proof latching container
 Make sure all doors and gates are strong
and working properly, if necessary add an
extra latch or clip to keep horses secure and
safe

20. INCORRECT CORRECT

21. INCORRECT CORRECT

22. Good Housekeeping Cont.
 Stalls and water buckets must be cleaned
daily
 Designated areas for equipment and
machinery
 List of emergency contact numbers

23. STORE TOOLS IN
WASH BUCKETS DESIGNATED AREAS

24. Fire Protection
 Equip barn with fire extinguishers, maintain
regularly and enforce a no-smoking policy
around the barn
 Keep floors clean: sweep up loose hay and
debris that can create fire hazard
 Keep overhead area clear: knock down
cobwebs, check light fixtures
 Store machinery and flammable substances a
safe distance from barn
 Store Hay in a separate building: keep covered
and well ventilated

25. Fire Protection Cont.
 Don’t overuse extension cords
 Keep electrical cords out of reach of horses
 Unplug cords when not in use
 Keep rodents under control; encase wiring
so its rodent proof
 Have wiring inspected by a licensed
electrician

26. INCORRECT
(hanging of extension and
placement across ground
CORRECT
~ Always have a fire extinguisher available and in
working condition
~ Extension cords neatly wrapped and hung properly

27. Safe tack
 Make sure good condition and properly
adjusted
 Tack must be regularly cleaned and
conditioned
 Inspect your tack before each ride: if
damaged get it repaired or replaced
 Always double check your girth

28. CLEAN TACK AFTER ~ CHECK GIRTH ~
EVERY USE (too loose in this)

29. Arena Safety
 Never walk through an arena without
looking first in both directions
 Call “Gate” or announce your intention
when entering an area
 Come into the center to speak with
someone when others are riding in the
arena
 Keep arena well ventilated and clear of
hazards

30. INCORRECT CORRECT

31. CREDITS
 Alison Flury – AliBoo Farm Inc.
aflury@aliboofarm.com
 Janet Flury – Safety Check Inc.
jaflury@safetycheckinc.com
 www.safetycheckinc.com
 www.AliBooFarm.com
 Visit us online on Facebook at Stirrup Safety
 Lexa Smith – Reverse Prints Photography
 239-810-0881