SAFETY IS SERIOUS

  1. At any gathering involving numbers of turn outs, the warm up area should be at a safe distance from where horses are being harnessed and put to. Always remember to think in terms of safety not just for yourself but others as well.

  2. While harnessing, especially away from home, a horse will not be as comfortable or as relaxed as in it's own barn, so please keep alert and concentrate on safe and orderly harnessing practices. If you use a kicking strap that should be the last bit of harness to be put in place.

  3. Before putting to, please stop and check to make sure all harness parts are in place and comfortable on the animal. And that whips, gloves, HELMETs, halter, tie ropes and whatever else you are taking are in place on your vehicle.

a.      And, please, as a courtesy to land owner and other drivers, especially those with green horses or beginner drivers, see to it that all truck and trailer doors are closed and/or properly secured and trailer is chocked. In many instances it might be wise to lock up if near public roads or in public areas.

b.      It is a good idea, before entering the cart, to do a final walk around to check to make sure everything is properly attached and there are no loose or flapping straps or the throatlatch is too loose or tight. (Tip:  If driving a pony with especially small ears, or any Houdini type animal, think about using a gullet strap. Another advantage to gullet straps is there is no chance of the throatlatch restricting your horse or pony' s breathing.)

c.      Before putting to, think about picking up and pulling forward each foreleg to release skin beneath girth. This will help to prevent any reactions to discomfort as well as girth galls.

  1.  PLEASE never tie your horse to an unhooked trailer and if you are harnessing alone, and the horse isn't tied, remember to have control of its head at all times. Don't forget  'FLIGHT is the horses’ own best defense. If, at all possible, ask someone to head your animal while hooking, especially away from home.

  2. Show or event organizers please be aware that order of go can become a safety issue in certain circumstances, smaller or slower moving animals in front of heavily conditioned or faster moving horses can quickly get out of hand and become a real problem for the everyone.

  3. If students or guests who are driving, or young drivers accompany you, it is your responsibility, before putting to your own animal, to see to it that they have harnessed and put to their animals correctly.

  4. Also remember always, NEVER take the bridle off while hitched, always make sure your cell phone is charged and on your person not in the cart, and lastly remember always the whip is part of your line of communication with your horse or pony as well as a good defense against aggressive dogs etc and will do you no good if it isn't in your hand at all times while driving.

Please remember that the safety checks are there for your protection. We are volunteers who may want to drive ourselves sometime before the heat of the day, so please be kind and try to get through the checks in a timely fashion.

We, the safety committee members, are always available to help, answer questions, if we can, and would welcome input from other members at anytime; so please don't hesitate to contact us with questions, observations, safety issue thoughts or concerns

Members include:      Claudette Robinson
                                Paul Nordan
                                Dick Carrier
                                Eve Arensberg
                                Mary Smith   
                                Jane Hart

Secondly, because of the gas issues, we are looking for alternates to help out at gatherings either to scribe or inspect turn out equipment before drive off, if you plan to go to a drive, please consider contacting a safety member ahead of time to sign up. That doesn't mean you can't drive just that you won't be the first to go.                 

Please WEAR YOUR HELMETS, and remember always:
SAFETY IS SERIOUS!!!!