| Make certain that your grain is
stored behind an absolutely horse-proof latch and if other people have
access to the area, consider a lock. Not everyone understands the importance
of controlling your horse's intake! Be sure to post a detailed feed chart
for each horse in case someone else needs to feed for you.
If you store hay in a loft make sure the ladder or stairs are
in good repair. Check for nails that are sticking out and make sure all
haystring is contained. If small children have access to your loft, you
might consider a railing of some kind. Check that the area is dry and
well-ventilated, and no leaks have developed over the winter. If at all
possible, store your hay and bedding in a separate structure if you
overnight your horses in the barn.
Be sure to have functioning fire extinguishers in all
structures and know how to use them!
| "It's my experience
that a horse will hurt himself if there is anything around to do it on."
|
Evaluate your
horses' water source for various hazards. If you have a metal trough, check
for sharp or rusty spots horses could cut themselves on, and if it is heated
check all wiring for worn places.
Wherever you keep
your equine medical supplies, be sure they are properly stored and locked
up--totally inaccessible to neighbors, friends and children. If you give
injections of any kind you should have a container for safe disposal of
contaminated needles. A clearly marked plastic milk jug will do.
This is a good time
to inventory your first aid and medical supplies. Be sure you have the very
basics on hand: latex gloves, wound cleanser and antibacterial ointment,
Epson salts, etc. It is important to have bandages and leg wraps on hand.
Disposable diapers and sanitary pads are incredibly useful as bandages. It
is a good idea to have a thermometer and stethoscope and know how to use
them.
All barns, whether
large or small, need to post certain signs. Check with your attorney and
insurance agent about what your specific responsibilities and liabilities
might be. In many states, an Equine Liability law sign must be prominently
posted. Certainly you should consider a prominent "No Smoking" sign, and a
"Keep Out" sign.
Check your tack
room next. Are there piles of junk and broken tack in the corners? Is the
tack stored neatly and off of the damp floor? Don't compromise the integrity
of your equipment by letting it hang crooked.
Are your blankets
and pads filthy from the winter muds? This is a good time to do a complete
tack check and thorough cleaning.
If your helmet is
stored in your tack room, inspect it carefully now. Is it ASTM-SEI approved?
Is there any evidence of damage (dents, scrapes or cracks)? Is the harness
in good shape? Most helmet companies recommend replacing your helmet every
five years, so check the date. Most companies will also inspect your helmet
at no cost if it has sustained a blow.
If your barn has a
hallway, be sure it is clear of obstacles. Could you lead a panicked horse
through it in the dark during an emergency? Many people store stall cleaning
equipment (pitch forks, rakes, wheelbarrows, etc.) in this area, but all
equipment should be well secured and out of reach of loose horses. If you
have cross ties in your aisles be sure you never leave a horse in them
unattended and also be sure that the quick release system is intact.
Next, check the
stalls. Are they large enough for the amount of time your horses spend in
them? Are they clean, dry and free of dust and cobwebs? Have your horses dug
uneven places in them? Are there protruding nails or large wood splinters?
Are the latches
secure and free of sharp places? Are the feeders and waterers clean and free
of sharp protrusions? Are there any ropes or wires in which a horse could
catch himself? Does the door open wide enough for the horse and person
leading it to get in and out safely?
Most people who own
horses have small containment pens or paddocks, as well as larger fields or
pastures. One big safety issue is fencing. Safety in fencing is influenced
by the density of the horses in the enclosure, as well as the materials
used. For instance, in smaller pens with several horses an individual horse
is more likely to be chased or knocked into the fence, so there is a great
need for fencing that is safe and secure, such as rail or webbing. In a
larger pasture horses are less likely to push each other into the fence, so
it is more acceptable to use wire fencing.
Another issue in
both pens and pastures is the presence of objects on which a horse could
hurt himself. Did large branches or trees fall down during the winter? Did
you tend to pile brush and debris in your horse area? Are there tractors or
other equipment accessible to the horses?
Is your trailer
parked where the horses can get to it? Once again, these are more of a
problem in areas with high density of horses like small pens, but it is my
experience that a horse will hurt himself if there is anything around to do
it on. After all, he has no self-preservation instinct that defines an old
truck as dangerous. Remember, an injured horse is potentially a dangerous
horse, so consider fencing off all vehicles, trailers, tractors, etc., so
your horse cannot hurt himself.
Speaking of horse
trailers, be sure to include yours in your springtime safety check. Is the
hitch in good shape? Pull up the mats--are the floors in good shape? Have
the walls or partitions developed rusty spots? Are there sharp places on the
edges? Does the quick-release mechanism on the trailer ties still work? Are
there sharp edges where the horse steps on and off? Do the lights all work?
Are the tires in good shape? Are the safety chains intact?
Spring is the time
to initiate your fly control program. Horses that are aggravated by flies
are not only at greater risk for disease, but also can be more difficult to
handle.
With the advent of
cell phones most people have emergency communication at their barns. Make
sure your have updated emergency phone numbers posted prominently--including
EMS, fire, vet, farrier and emergency contacts. Be sure to have clear
directions to your barn posted with the numbers.
Have your human
first aid kit clearly displayed and marked. If you trail ride you also want
to have a saddlebag kit stocked and ready to pick up and go. Be sure it also
includes a list of updated emergency phone numbers. This is a good time to
check and restock these first aid kits.
Hopefully, using
this do-it-yourself barn safety assessment will help to make your own horse
environment a safer, more pleasant place for you and your horses! |
