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Information in this presentation is a guide only. Seek professional advice for your own situation..

Organising and conducting horse events at a time of year when hot weather may occur creates additional considerations.

As event organisers, the committee has a duty of care to:

1. Keep people safe

2. Provide for horse welfare

3. Manage corporate risk (+ public image)

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Keeping people safe

Event organisers are required to provide a ‘safe workplace’ for participants. Volunteers are also recognised under the WHS Act.

Need to move away from “be tough”/ “We used to ride in any temperature, what’s wrong with people today!” etc…..

Plan ahead as to what a modified, postponed or cancelled event means for your club and members

It may be that events do not proceed in hotter weather until the event committee have put risk management actions in place

Administration

People

Venue

Horses

There are (at least) four key areas to consider when looking at how to manage hot weather and club activities.

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Administration

1. Hot weather policy: Sport Medicine Australia has a policy promoted by the Office for Recreation & Sport (36 + to modify or cancel/or use Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT). The club needs to clearly state what the weather policy is, and if it differs from a national policy. Promote policy on website, member info, build into sponsorship agreements, judge and official agreements, food safety etc.

2. Pre-approve hot weather rules & budget: Have a look at the rulebook and general club rules or ‘traditional procedures’ that may need updating or might be a barrier to safely managing people at your event e.g. standard or type of clothing, rest breaks, ability to withdraw during the event, ability to act on a participant with signs of heat illness, reduce time in open, shorten courses and/or change terrain, refunds on entry fees, type of equipment used so grip is not lost with sweat or touching hot surfaces, encourage use of PPE (sun hats/helmets), more supervision. Increase budget for shows likely to have to hire/ purchase items to reduce likelihood of heat illness in people or horses, additional first aiders on site.

3. Provide information: Share information on website, program and post at venue. What are the signs of heat illness? What to do? Sports Medicine Australia. Keep records.

People

Instill a safe work culture

Identify high risk participants e.g. aged

Provide and remind to bring PPE/ water

Provide training

Provide a pre-event briefing / post event

Promote hydration, use of shade, chairs

Promote where to find first aider

Appoint human welfare officer to check on participants & encourage participants to seek immediate first aid.

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VenueSelect a venue that can help the committee control the risks e.g.

Shade for people, including spectators (and much as possible for horses)

An air-conditioned room or one with fans for work and recovery

Electric points for outdoor fans, fridges etc.

Ample water for humans and horses

Dedicated private first aid + vet area, identify ambulance/ Vet entry and parking area

Have equipment on hand to manage human and horse incidents e.g. Golf buggy to help move people, Large animal rescue kit

Plan for hire of marquees, shade options, fans, back up generators etc. if required

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If all is in place to manage people then decisions about the management of horses becomes clearer.

All the steps put in place for people management can be adapted to horses.

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Horses

Racing Victoria has developed an easy to follow horse hot weather policy, which includes directions for preparing for the race meeting. WBGT greater than 33 races are delayed or abandoned. - Programming, time out in open pre & post race- Utilise tie-up stalls without direct sun entering- Provision of horses, pre-flushed to remove hot water- Provision of enough hose down bays- Ice buckets strategically located- Provision of sweat scrapers - Roof sprinkler systems/hosing roofs- Provision of fans - Employment of extra veterinarian- Direct handlers to avoid walking horses on asphalt or other hot surfaces- Brief staff/riders to approach veterinarians if concerned about the horse- Horses must arrive OK and be fit to travel home

Horses

Clubs can work with their veterinarian to develop a clear hot weather guide for horses to suit the activity and venues.Event organisers may need to provide a range of opportunities for participants to find out more about preparing and caring for horses during and after hotter weather events.

• Training, feed, diet regimes for hot weather• Managing horses at home in hot weather• Selection of horse to bring to a hotter event• Transport• Planning to stay cool at the event• Signs of a stressed horse & first aid• Caring for a horse on return home• Large animal rescue skills• Research translated for use in your sport• Appoint a horse welfare officer for the club

Potential incidents would the committee may need to manage?

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VagmZHzSrHk

Using a tarpaulin to screen Arcadius who collapsed in the non-competition area of the venue. Link to

story below.http

://www.theblaze.com/stories/2012/05/13/horse-collapses-and-dies-after-winning-150k-race

/

EXAMPLE: Racing Victoria cancels Flemington and all other Vic race meetings due to extreme heat “We have a responsibility to protect the health and safety of all participants, both human and equine, along with staff and patrons, in extreme weather conditions such as that forecast tomorrow.” RV Chief Executive, Bernard Saundry

Corporate Risk

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Links

SafeWork SA hot working conditions

SA SES heat related advice

Equestrian Australia hot weather policy

National Standards for the Transport of Livestock (horses pg. 83)

Horse SAwww.horsesa.asn.auE: horsesa@horsesa.asn.au

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