Introducing Horse Welfare Officers - for Clubs, Events & Activities April 2014

Introduction to
the role of Horse
Welfare Officer
for horse event & activity organisers
Mc Laren Districts Riding Club, South Australia
Horse SA 26 April 2014
www.horsesa.asn.au
http://www.horsesa.asn.au/home/welfare/
horse-welfare-officers/

Resources used for this workshop include:
The Australian Horse Welfare & Well-being
Toolkit produced by the Australian Horse
Industry Council.
Equine Emergency Rescue by MaryAnne
Leighton, available through the Horse SA
online store.
And our mascot Riley the
Rescue horse
Julie Fiedler
Horse SA Executive Officer 12
years.
Project Coordinator:
• The Australian Horse Welfare &
Well-being Toolkit
• The Australian Horse Welfare
Protocol
• Tips for the Care of Confined
Horses
Horse SA www.horsesa.asn.au April 2014 NOTE: Information is
a guide only. Seek professional advice to suit your situation.

Workshop Aims
1. Why introduce Horse Welfare
Officers to events/activities?
2. What are some the roles of the
Horse Welfare Officer
3. Introduce a way of managing
horse event incidents more safely
4. Handling deceased horses with
dignity
5. What next for your activity
group?
Photos: Friends of Hampshire Fire & Rescue

Why introduce Horse Welfare Officers?
Grow (and keep) the good “name” of
your horse activity
Continuous improvement in:
 Horse welfare
 Volunteer skill development
 Rider/driver/handler education
 Improve safety for everyone
Image: Australian Horse Industry Council
A positive, pro-active job role to support activity organisers and participants

A “Social Licence” to Operate
• The wider community in which we live gives us a “licence” to use animals
for sport, recreation, work and exhibition provided that the animals are
well cared for.
• Each and every one of us has a responsibility to maintain the “conditions”
of the licence, as once lost, it is unlikely ever to be reissued.
• We are all responsible for contributing to the continuous improvement in
welfare within the wider horse community.
Horse activity organisers are encouraged to be pro-active in seeking out good
practice, educating participants and applying research findings.

It just doesn’t happen to us
• Horse displays stress through poorly fitting equipment, adverse riding
styles or activity environment
• Horse collapses from heat exhaustion (competition, travel) or medical
reason
• Horse goes “down”/ or injured in relation to the activity, (which may
also involve a rider) or non-competition areas e.g. float/wash bay
• Horses are disadvantaged through unclear application of rules
• Horse in trouble escaping from the grounds and gets into life-
threatening situation (e.g. car vs. horse)
• Horse is euthanased at event site for any number of reasons e.g. colic
or requires on-site isolation for suspect disease (Strangles/Hendra)
So we don’t need a plan, training or
equipmentImage: Australian Horse Industry
Council
Horse SA www.horsesa.asn.au April 2014 NOTE: Information is a guide only. Seek professional advice to suit your situation.

Ideas for Promoting Horse
Welfare
at Events/Activities• Appointment of a horse welfare officer
• Appointment of a veterinarian (or on call for smaller
events) and paid accordingly.
• Horse ambulance, trained volunteers & equipment is
available/ sourced for each activity. Emergency plan
available/known/practiced
• Require a health status as part of event entry incl.
vaccination status. Biosecurity plan avail/known/practiced
• Welfare promoted to members, incl. in pre event/post
event briefings, newsletters, appoint experts e.g. nutrition
• Promote review of rules, policies from welfare viewpoint
• Schedule education events for members/participants
• Regularly review venue improvements (e.g. more shade)
• Keep records, conduct research, document horse welfare
continuous improvement program
Photo: Australian Horse Industry Council

The Role of a Veterinarian
An equine veterinarian has a key role to play in relation to horse health and
welfare at an activity. A vet will work closely with a Horse Welfare Officer
and Stewards, who will also have horse welfare as part of their role.
However, your local vet is unlikely to have time to volunteer for the work
that takes place outside of the day of the activity. E.g.
• Contribute to non-veterinary aspects of emergency planning (biosecurity/equine incidents)
• Participate in reviews of the rulebook, policies & procedures
• Review venue and equipment, gather equipment for management of incidents
• Coordinate dissemination of research/participate in research with club members
• Organise, facilitate or conduct education and training sessions
It is important for activity organisers to have in writing (i.e. pre-agreed) as
to when a veterinarian can be engaged outside of regular competitions or
emergencies. A budget and allocation of resources needs to be available
e.g.
• If a horse dies at an event
• If a horse presents at a venue with suspicious health
• To inspect a horse at the request of the Judge/Stewards
The exact roles for HWO for each activity need to be defined and have
focus. In the future, HWO with specialist roles might be called in as needed
by organisations e.g. warm up/cool down or review of rules
Horse SA www.horsesa.asn.au April 2014 NOTE: Information is a guide only. Seek professional advice to suit your situation.

A Horse Welfare Officer is there for the horses
To provide information to the organising committee, participants/stakeholders on where
improvements are working and help plan for further improvements. It is a dedicated, independent
role, although many stewards/judges will have horse welfare as an aspect of their duties, just as riders
do. Ask questions.
A HWO does not have the power or role to discipline participants, change rules or other actions that
are within the jurisdiction / duty of the organising committee or their appointed officials.
In the future, organisations may employ Horse Welfare Officers, create organisational structures for
HWO’s and update rulebooks or policies to give recognition to the role.
The role of the HWO needs to be promoted to gain support by the participants, who will in turn then
be the greatest advocates for continuous improvement.
Horse Welfare Officers

DISCUSSION: What incidents are more likely to occur with your activity. Are there any emerging
issues?
Using a tarpaulin to assist in cooling a horse which collapsed in a float on a hot day. NSW Jan 2013. Screen
dump from 10 min 45 sec mark of Dr Rebecca Gimenez presentation Horse SA International Large Animal
Rescue Conference Nov 2013 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VagmZHzSrHk
Horse SA www.horsesa.asn.au April 2014 NOTE: Information is a guide
only. Seek professional advice to suit your situation.
What types of incidents would your horse activity potentially need to
manage?
Horse SA training workshop, March 2014

Focus Area: Rules
Event organisers can advocate “up
the line” for
- Changes to rules
- Education of judges & officials
- Participant information
- More research
Or review rules that may be now
out of step, open to wide
interpretation or new rules to be
added to improve horse welfare.
a guide only. Seek professional advice to suit your situation.Discussion: An example where a rule may affect horse welfare

Focus Area: Emergency Planning
• General emergencies (fire, flood, storm,
lightening, hold up, chemical spill)
• Equine Accident Management
• Biosecurity
Write- Practice – Train- Review
Lots of help out there for general response & biosecurity, more
needs to be done on equine accident response, which is now
underway.
Horse SA www.horsesa.asn.au April 2014 NOTE: Information is a guide only.
Seek professional advice to suit your situation.
Discussion: Example of venue use as an Equine Evacuation Centre & potential for unattended, unidentified horses

Focus Area: Policies & Procedures
Activity organisers usually have
a lot of control over policies &
procedures relating to a club.
e.g.
• Policy for Hot Weather
• Procedure for removal of a
deceased horse from the
venue
• Instruction for disinfecting
shared use horse equipment
Discussion: Hot weather policy, considerations around deceased horses at an activity

Focus Area: Venue & Equipment
• Regular inspections take place
• Continuous improvement program to help plan out $, can
be small things like checking gate latches fitted properly
with no protrusions build up to shelters for day visiting
horses, better cooling down options, improved arena
surfaces, Smartphone Apps to use in the field
• Asset Register (Insurance + working life of equipment +
safety + matches intended use)
• Refer to research, e.g. FEI Equine Surfaces Whitepaper
• Apply rules/polices for use of venue & equipment

Focus Area: The Horses
• Plan ahead for horse welfare & well-being
• Prepare on the day, use checklists
• Provide information to participants relating to the
activity organisers expectations
• Observe horses
• Understand who has direct responsibilities for horses
the whole time on the venue e.g. Owner, steward,
judge and provide training + accountability
• Record aspects related to welfare
• Report on successes aim for incremental but
continuous improvements
• Celebrate success, reward effort in relation to horse
welfare and participants

BREAK
Advert: Horse Welfare Officer Workshop (with Riley
the Rescue Horse)
June 20/21 2014 Roseworthy
Visit www.horsesa.asn.au for more events &
education opportunities

This next section will discuss
1. If a horse dies or has to be
euthanased at an event
2. Introduction to incident
management
When it all goes Pear-Shaped
Photos: Friends of Hampshire Fire & Rescue

When it all goes pear-shaped……….
Make the scene safe for volunteers to
work in. At your activity - who “steps
up” to start to control the incident?
Managing the incident involves undertaking a dynamic risk
assessment which may include
- stop or divert the event/traffic/other horses
- care for & manage people (humans come first!)
- considerations for horse welfare
- restrain a loose/uncontrolled horse (s)
- manage spectators
- remove or manage hazards
PLAN the response
CONDUCT the response
DEBRIEF afterwards + records
Discuss: Achieving an organised response with a few volunteers. Appointing roles as part of a plan. Know

Practical – Keep People Safe
1. Positioning people around a recumbent
horse
2. Practice keeping spectators away using a
lunge line
3. Screening
4. Discuss human behaviour when horses
are distressed (rider/owner/spectator)
5. Discuss horse behaviour when stressed
6. Encouraging a horse that is recumbent,
to stay that way

Practical - Basic Equipment
Review bare minimum
equipment
For a small club:
• Human PPE
• 2 x Tarpaulins - for covering a horse
& (strong) one for underneath
• 4 or more tarpaulins for screening
• 2 x 4WD straps with sewn loops
• Spare strong rope
• Towels
• Walking cane
• 1 lunge rein & 1 lunge whip
• Horse float
• Cleaning kit (biosecurity/human
health)
Rescue Glide
Remember to be aware of the limitations of your volunteers capabilities. Call in experts.

Care for & Manage People
This workshop has a focus on the horse, however, there needs to be
people allocated to care for and manage other people.
• Provide medical help for injured riders, officials, spectators
• Consider emotional riders, strappers, family
• Spectator control +/- Information to (Social) media
Most clubs will by now have appointed “Member Protection Officers”
(Human Welfare Officers) or an equivalent whose role it is to manage
members requirements and be a part of the club or events practices
in relation to child protection, grievance procedures etc.
Remember that the new national WHS laws cover volunteer roles and
now includes recognition of mental health.
“Psychological First Aid” Red Cross booklet to help people useful to have a
copy albeit designed for disaster management. Photos: Friends of Hampshire Fire & RescueHorse SA www.horsesa.asn.au April 2014 NOTE: Information is

Euthanasia/ Death of a Horse at an Activity
Video (WARNING: a horse is put to sleep)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqyF4E019uI
• Provide screening
• HWO can coordinate with Officials the collection information for
reporting, arrange for taking of samples as per club policy,
promote the handling of deceased horse with dignity
• A competent horse handler, who follows instructions & wearing
PPE, is required to assist the veterinarian. Equipment: a strong
head collar and long leads/lunge reins, gloves
• Prepare the area for the horse to lay after euthanasia. The horse
may be able to be guided onto a glide or tarpaulin as it becomes
recumbent.
• Wait until the horse has been confirmed as deceased by the
veterinarian before moving extra people back into the hot zone
Tips (Page 27 Australian Horse Welfare & Well-being Toolkit)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1393629/Tragedy-Queens-salute-Horse-run-
gun-carriage.html 2011

• Use empathetic verbal & non-verbal language, others may be distressed
• Communication must be clear & concise to complete the management
of the task in a timely manner
• Handle the deceased horse’s limbs, head and body carefully. All parts of
the horse to travel together. Do not leave horse unattended.
• Keep the deceased horse covered with a tarpaulin, even behind the
screen if possible/ required. Cover the eyes.
• Placing personal belongings associated with the horse into a separate
vehicle and taken back to float/home for rider, + rider if needed
• Driving the horse ambulance at a sedate and considered speed, using
the same driving skills as for live horses
• Clearing & tidying the accident scene prior to taking down the screens
• Maintain confidentiality at all times
Handling Deceased Horses with Dignity
Photo: Friends of Hampshire Fire & R

Separate reports are required for people and horses.
Write the report asap after the incident, and within 24
hrs. Some events will have a template form to complete.
Refer to template in toolkit.
1. Basic facts. The time, date and exact location of the
incident Your name and role. Names of others who
were present. Use a template form if available.
2. What happened? Keep facts to what actually did
happen, not what you think might have happened.
Who. What. When. How. Why.
3. Photographs: to record weather, surface conditions,
hazards etc. may be added
4. Submit the report to the event organiser
Photo: Friends of Hampshire Fire & Rescue
Incident Reporting (People & Horses)
Horse SA www.horsesa.asn.au April 2014 NOTE: Information is a guide only. Seek
professional advice to suit your situation.

Understand capabilities of
emergency services
& your event/activity volunteer limitations
Photo: Friends of Hampshire Fire & Rescue
http://www.komonews.com/news/25666879.html http://rspcacymru.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/horse-11.jpg
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-18794841
http://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2012/feb/28/horse-
freed-mud-in-pictures
www.horsesa.asn.au
STOP. THINK AGAIN about sending untrained volunteers into dangerous situations. Get help.

In the future?
Horse Welfare Officers may have a wider range of tools
and opportunities to promote, measure and report on
welfare at horse activities, including..
- Use of non-invasive techniques to measure stress levels
of horses at events
- Participation in third party welfare audits
- Increased use of scientific tools/Apps to gather
information to support continuous improvement
- National Horse Welfare Officer network & accredited
training available
In the future?

Where to from here for your activity?
• Share this presentation
• Appoint a Horse Welfare Officer (HWO)
• Place horse welfare onto your meeting agenda, in every newsletter
• Support the HWO to undertake training, link with research, other
Officers
• Write down some simple tasks to get things started e.g. review heat
policy, venue inspection, education for members about signs of heat
stress.
• Arrange for volunteer/committee training, gap analysis.

Thank you
Horse SA
PO Box 20
Wayville South Australia 5034
www.horsesa.asn.au
E:horsesa@horsesa.asn.au
Mob: 0402488306
Photos from the Large Animal Rescue Level 2
course June 2013 Horse SA
Remember to check the Horse SA
website for upcoming events!
Equine
Emergency
Rescue
available for
purchase via
Horse SA
online store

Introducing Horse Welfare Officers - for Clubs, Events & Activities April 2014

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