Driving Event Emergency Protocols

DRAFT COPY 2/9/10
Emergency Protocols for Driving Horses in Competition
These are generally accepted best practices.
Modifications will likely be necessary to account for local conditions.

Overview

• Every incident is unique and has a life of its own.
• Controlling the competition area and non-competition areas is a TEAM effort involving organizers, judges, announcers, ringmasters, gate keepers, stewards, technical delegates, paid staff, volunteers and competitors. Volunteers will be the least experienced and most vulnerable of the TEAM.
  
• The Organizer, Judge and Steward/Technical Delegate should meet with all personnel on the TEAM involved in competition area management prior to the start of the first class to discuss their roles in emergency protocols.
• Once competition begins, the organized Team, headed by Judge, has the responsibility for directing the conduct of all people (i.e officials, competitors, volunteers, spectators) and equines in the competition area, i.e, show ring, obstacle course, dressage ring, marathon course. etc.
  
• Announcers often have the best over view of the competition area. Since they may see issues and react first and function as the voice of the management, the Announcer plays a key role in emergency management. A level head and a calm, authoritative demeanor will go a long way towards achieving a positive outcome.
  
• The steward/technical delegate and organizer have the responsibility for directing the conduct of all people and equines out side the competition area, i.e. warm-up areas, stabling areas, parking areas, etc.
  
• At least one suitable halter and lead should be at the competition area in a location known by all ring personnel on the TEAM.
• In flight mode, driving horses, with or without blinders, do not account for the width of their vehicle when judging where they can travel. Situations are made worse when horses try to 'escape' through openings that are narrower than their vehicles. That includes the area between people trying to catch them and the rail or other objects.

Enclosed Competition Area Emergency Protocol

For a loose or runaway horses in a ring with a secure wall or fence, the following protocol should prevail:

1. The announcer shall ask for every one's attention and will inform everyone of the situation.

2. All entries should be asked to walk and make their way carefully off the rail and into the center of the ring.

• Drivers should remain on the box, and put down grooms to head their horses.
• Competitor’s assistants will enter the ring. Remind them to do so with care.
• Juniors accompanied by an adult horseman should hand over the reins as soon as it is safe.
  
• Juniors should only exit the carriage and competition area when instructed by an adult.
• Entries should NOT assume they are completely safe either becauseue they are standing still or in the center of the ring.
  

3. Provide immediate attention and protection to any person down on the ground or obviously injured.
4. Alert medical personnel even if there are no obvious sign of injuries.
5. Ringmasters, and other able bodied horseman, should assist in guiding and keeping the horse out by the rail and away from down persons.

• Nothing should be done that would unnecessarily scare the horse more.
• Allow the horse to move on the rail without attempts to coral him against the rail until he obviously tires. Forcing or moving the horse too close to the rail will likely cause the vehicle to hit the rail and overturn.
• As the horse tires, he may attempt to join 'the herd' in the center of the ring. He may often come down to a walk or a halt and can be caught at that point.
• Do not open competition area gates to let horses out unless directed by officials.
  

6. Once the horse is captured, the person at the head of the horse is in command of the horse, the persons assisting and the unharnessing procedure.

• Establish reliable control of the horse's head before any harness parts are undone.
• Often the driver may be in shock and it should not be assumed he or she is capable of making good decisions.
• If unharnessing is necessary, unhitch as quickly, as orderly and as quietly as possible.
  
• Relocate the horse to a safe place away from the competition area as soon as possible.
  

7. If possible, all horses should be removed from the competition area quietly at a walk before an ambulance is allowed in the arena.

Open Area Emergency Protocol
For a loose or runaway horses outside of a secure area, the following protocol should prevail:

1. Provide immediate attention and protection to any person down on the ground or obviously injured.
2. Immediately notify officials, the show office, announcers and medical personnel of the incident.
3. Secure perimeter exits.
4. Nothing should be done that would unnecessarily scare the horse more.
5. Horses in the vicinity should move to a safe location away from the incident.

• Grooms/assistants should be at the head of these horses.

6. Once the horse is captured, the person at the head of the horse is in command of the horse, the persons assisting and any unharnessing procedures deemed necessary.

• Establish reliable control of the horse's head before any harness parts are undone.
• Often the driver may be in shock and it should not be assumed he or she is capable of making good decisions.
• If unharnessing is necessary, unhitch as quickly, as orderly and as quietly as possible.
  
• Relocate the horse to a safe place away from the competition area as soon as possible.

7. f possible, all horses should be removed from the competition area quietly at a walk before an ambulance is allowed in the area.

.
DRAFT COPY 2/9/10