In the event of a riding accident The British Horse Society recommends the following procedures:
1 a) The telephone number of your local doctor and veterinary surgeon should be easily available to you whenever teaching or hacking. An ambulance may be obtained by dialling 999 but you will be required to give your name, exact location and some description of the type of accident.
b) When out hacking with a class always take with you:
i) Money and phone card for the telephone or a mobile phone.
ii) A first aid pack.
2 KEEP CALM, and USE YOUR COMMON SENSE.
3 If you are riding, halt the ride in an orderly manner. Dismount and hand over your horse; dismount the rest of the ride if necessary and safe to do so. Ensure that they are in a safe position.
4 a) Go quietly to the injured person.
b) Secure the loose horse.
c) Organise safety procedures for other road users. Ask motorists to help by using their hazard warning lights.
If the injured person is conscious:
i) Tell them to remain still.
ii) In order that you may give full information to the doctor, ask if there is pain in any particular area. Do not move an injured rider who is in severe pain, nor if they are complaining of pain in neck or back. Wait until skilled help arrives.
iii) Remember the ABC of care and, as the first priority, check the airway to ensure that the unconscious rider is able to breathe adequately. It may be necessary to adjust the position of the jaw correctly and carefully and to clear any obstruction without causing the rider to gag. If breathing is inadequate, despite clearing the airway and correctly adjusting it, then mouth to mouth breathing should be started at a rate of about one breath every five seconds. Learn this life-saving measure and revise it whenever possible.
iv) Stem obvious, serious bleeding by applying FIRM pressure to the wound with a handkerchief or a piece of clean material made into a pad.
v) If skilled help is not immediately available, then the unconscious rider who is breathing adequately, must be turned as one unit on to their side in order to avoid the danger of inhaling stomach contents if vomiting occurs. It will be necessary to control the head, neck and spine in order to make the turn safe and then to keep the rider in a stable position with the airway readjusted if necessary. Learn this technique and practise it whenever possible.
vi) Cover the rider with a coat or blanket.
5 REMAIN CALM.
6 In the event of an accident involving the horse, make sure he receives attention.
7 It may be necessary to send for medical help or to arrange for the casualty to be taken to hospital unless quite certain of their fitness to continue. In any event, if there is the slightest doubt in your mind, always refer to a senior member of staff or call for medical assistance.
REMEMBER, IN EMERGENCY DIAL 999.
8 As soon as possible, but within the limits imposed by the circumstances, reassure the remainder of your ride by your own calmness and self control and continue your ride or lesson (or get another member of staff to do so). Remember to make your report in the Accident Book, and if the accident happened on the road, you should complete The British Horse Society Accident Report Form (available from the Road Safety Development Officer, British Horse Society).
The British Horse Society would like to express its appreciation to Dr J Lloyd Parry for his
assistance in compiling this information.
