Tumpy Green

Keeping Safe

Whatever your reason for seeking out a riding centre – be it to learn to ride, for a pleasant hour’s hacking, or training up to advanced level – you will want to pick an establishment that is both reputable and well run.

British Horse Society Approved Establishments have horse and pony welfare along with client safety and satisfaction as priorities. All establishments are insured for public liability and comply with the latest health and safety legislation. To uphold the scheme’s standards and ensure quality teaching, unannounced annual inspections are organised for your peace of mind. 

Tumpy Green Equestrian Centre is fully approved by the British Horse Society (BHS) and the Association of British Riding Schools (ABRS). An important element of being an approved centre is ensuring that we operate an approved Health and Safety policy. This is something that we take very seriously, and we have an excellent record of safety at Tumpy Green Equestrian Centre. By choosing a BHS approved establishment you know you’ve chosen the best and you’ll be in safe hands.

Being an approved centre means;

Health and Safety procedures are strictly adhered to.

We have a policy that is strictly adhered to of non discrimination on any grounds.

We are fully licensed with the Local Authority.

We are fully insured for Public and Employees Liability.

 Choose the best. Choose an establishment approved by the BHS & ABRS

Things you need to know

You can hire a new "PAS015 / BSEN1384" standard skull cap for your first lesson from us (cost 50p per lesson).

Wellington boots, shoes or boots with a small heel are to be preferred to trainers which can slip through the stirrups.

Jogging trousers or leggings are more comfortable than jeans.

All riders MUST WEAR SAFETY HATS and sensible footwear and clothing.

We do have the right to refuse a rider if suitable items are not worn at the time of the ride.

For x country lessons longs sleeves and body protectors are compulsory.

All long hair must be tied back in a low pony tail.

 We will do our utmost to keep you safe. However, horses and ponies may sometimes be unpredictable.

Our instructors all hold or are working towards qualifications within the BHS structure.

Your choice to ride is voluntary. We take care to provide suitable horses and ponies for customers but all animals are unpredictable.

We advise you take out full personal accident cover.

All equipment supplied is regularly checked and meets all recommended safety standards where applicable.

Health and Safety guidelines are prominently displayed and strictly adhered to at all times. We have procedures in place to minimise any risks to all who spend time with us at Tumpy Green Equestrian Centre, staff,  spectators and clients.

All our staff and trainees are given training in safety procedures including what to do in the event of an accident or fire.

An incident book is kept at Tumpy Green Equestrian Centre for the recording of minor accidents or falls by staff, trainees and clients.

Riders Registration Form

The Riders Registration Form allows us to ensure  that you are aware and fully understand the policies and procedures at Tumpy Green Equestrian Centre. It also assist our instructors in providing the best advice to as to suitable groups and activities for you.

The Riders Registration Form also highlights the Horse Riders Code of Conduct, details of which are outlined below;

• I understand that riding at any standard has inherent risk and that all horses may react unpredictably on occasions.
• I may fall off and could be injured. I accept that risk.
• I understand that instructions are given for my safety and agree to follow instructions given to me by staff and instructors of the riding school.
• I reserve the right not to ride a horse allocated to me and may request a change of instructor.
• I understand that wearing an appropriate riding hat and body protector may reduce the severity of an injury should an accident happen and agree that I will always wear a riding hat whilst riding, leading and grooming horses at the riding school. I understand it is my choice whether or not a wear a body protector.
• I understand that the riding school will make decisions based on information I give them and agree to always be honest and volunteer information about;

                               My abilities and riding experience

                               Any previous riding accidents

                               Any medical conditions which may affect my ability to ride

• I understand that children are at particular risk around horses and agree that I will keep children that I am responsible for, under close supervision when they are not being instructed by the riding school.
• I understand that the riding school may refuse my request to ride for safety ot operational reasons.
• I understand that competing carries enhanced risk over and above general riding and agree that if I choice to participate in any competition or event, it is up to me to ensure that I have the experience and ability to ride the course including any jumps which form part of it. If I am in any doubt, I will use my judgement and experience and not enter.

If you have any questions about any aspect of our Health and Safety prolicy and procedures please do not hestiate to ask. We look forward to welcoming you to Tumpy Green Equestrian Centre.

A copy of the Riders Registration Form can be found on our Front Page, so you can print it out and bring it along completed for your first lesson, alternatively you can fill in a copy in the office on your first visit.

 Helpers at Tumpy Green

Here is some useful advice and things to think about if you are planning to help at Tumpy Green. Please note that from April 2012 all Helpers (except those on NVQ) will need to have completed the ABRS Helpers Certificate.

Rules for helpers to know:

• Children should be supervised at all times. As a child this means I agree to follow instructions when at the centre as a helper and I will be where I am supposed to be, helping, keeping positive and polite, and doing what I have been asked to do by the centre staff to the best of my ability.
• Everyone must wear a fitted and approved safety hat for riding at Tumpy Green. It is also a good idea to keep a body protector on for these activities. Helpers also wear safety hats for leading and grooming horses and ponies to reduce the risk of injury if kicked.
• For riding, always wear boots with a heel (so feet do not fall through the stirrups)
• Always approach a horse from the side, never from behind. Do not stand behind a horse or pony or walk close by its back legs.
• Only enter an arena with the instructor’s permission.

Basic Safety Procedures to know:

• There are risks when working around horses and how I behave can help to keep everyone safe. Keeping calm, quiet and confident around horses is part of this.
• Some horses bite and some kick, some horses are best not tied up too close to certain other horses. Be watchful and handle horses safely to avoid getting bitten, kicked or stepped on and always take the advice of members of staff.
• Always listen to the advice given to you by all members of (BHS) trained staff about safety, including horse behaviour, tack, riding instruction/advice and where to go or not to go.
• If someone else takes over the care of the horse or pony (because a member of staff has asked them to) pass on this advice and share information. Please do not give your jobs to another child while you find something ‘more fun’ to do! By doing this, you could be putting yourself, young children or the pony’s safety at risk. The more difficult and mucky jobs are all a regular part of the running of the centre and your help is appreciated.
• Equally, don’t try to take over a job someone else has been asked to do unless asked to, as there might be a safety reason for this being a bad idea and the job might not get done properly.
•  If you’re asked to help less experienced helpers, try to involve them without putting their safety at risk and give advice politely without pushing them away. They are also there to help and learn. Listen as well, because if it is a job they were asked to do first, they might know things about the pony’s tack or feed that you have forgotten or are not aware of!
• If you have been asked to do something you cannot manage on your own (e.g. replacing a pony’s water when it is full and too heavy for you to drag as part of mucking out a stable) you can always ask for help from a bigger helper or adult nearby, but you should stay to do what you can. If you are asked to do something but you have forgotten how to (e.g. how to fasten a rug or where to put tools away), you should ask how to and learn for next time, not just leave it not done and not tell anybody.

Intermediate Safety Procedures to know:

• Only carry out jobs alone that you have been shown how to do and helped with and done safely before and that you feel able to do with the horse you have been asked to care for.
• When you are helping with catching and releasing ponies wear wellies and a safety hat.
• When helping someone with releasing a pony in the field they should always turn the pony towards the gate you will leave by and you should be behind them by the gate before they remove the head collar or lead rope. Horses and ponies sometimes like to rear and buck when running to play with friends in the field, so stand well back with enough room for other people to move back without slipping.
• If a horse is cut or has any other injuries, let a member of staff know if they might not be aware of it already (e.g. if you are bringing a horse in from a field and you see an injured horse).
• Check the horse's back, head and behind their front legs where the girth goes, for any mud and make sure it is removed before tacking up to prevent rubbing/sores. Do not put tack over a cut or sore.
• Paying attention to horses' body language can help keep everyone safe. Be aware that horses can still be unpredictable.
• When looking after a particular horse, be aware of their tack, feed and behaviour which affect how they are cared for. (E.g. whether they eat hay or haylage; whether they wear boots for riding; which other horses or ponies they are best kept away from.)

A few riding and handling safety procedures:

• Long sleeves and body protectors are best worn whenever riding and are essential for cross country or pony racing.
• Walk on the left side of a horse and pass others left to left with all the people together and the horses on the outside. When I walk alongside someone else leading a horse, I should be on the same side of the horse as them. ( I could get squashed or trapped on the other side as the person leading cannot see me).
• If a rider feels unsafe riding a particular horse they can let someone know and choose a different one, but should take the advice of their instructor. It is up to the rider to say what they are ready for on the day (e.g. if they have any discomfort riding, or how high or low a jump they can try) and to ask for help when needed. Riders need to be honest about their ability, experience and confidence.  This means I should be patient if other riders in my group need time to change horses or have extra help, and also I accept I will sometimes need to ask for some help.
• When a group of riders are working around the arena in open order, riders should pass left hand to left hand. This means that riders working on the right rein (with their right hand nearest to the centre of the school) should give way to those riders working on the left rein. To do this they should move on to the inside track and away from the wall.