General Rules for Instructors:
These rules have been drafted after much thought and a detailed analysis of the Arena, and consideration of previous experience and knowledge of the likely abilities of the Riders, Horses, and Helpers. These rules have been accepted at the Instructor’s meeting and are COMMON ACROSS ALL RIDES. We are fortunate that there has never been a serious incident, and we expect none, but if the worst happens, the defence of the Individual Instructor and the RDA as a whole will depend on the extent to which our operating rules are sensible and reasonable, and the extent to which they have been implemented. IT MUST BE ABSOLUTELY CLEAR that SAFETY is the responsibility of every RDA Member, both in their own performance, and in observing the performance of others – YOU CANNOT OBSERVE SOMETHING WHICH YOU CONSIDER TO BE WRONG AND NOT INTERVENE IMMEDIATELY.
Remember, though, this does not normally involve ‘bawling-out’ someone across the Arena – THAT IN ITSELF IS DANGEROUS – remember the old adage PRAISE IN PUBLIC – REPRIMAND IN PRIVATE. Too many good helpers have ‘left’ RDA because of the way they have been spoken to – that must never happen again. Such behaviour must be reported, and it is the offender who will be leaving after the appropriate investigation.
ARENA OPERATING AREA
For normal riding exercises, riding activities should be restricted to an area which is the width of 3/4 bays, and work across the arena. This is equivalent to size of the old Arena and, quite frankly, is as big a distance as many of our horses can reasonably be expected to cover – let alone Leaders - remember both horses & riders could be working for up to three hours at a time.
ACCESS TO THE ARENA
· The single door beside the First Aid Room if for EMERGENCY USE ONLY – it must not be used to enter the Arena BY ANYONE at any other time due to risk of stepping into the path of a horse. Horse entry to the Arena is by the MIDDLE Door (behind the Ramp) which MUST ALWAYS BE CLOSED when all Horses have entered the Arena, and the Ride is in progress – in general, there should be minimal movement into or out of the Arena during a Ride
· Horse exit from the Arena should by the TOP Door only (in front of the Ramp) – again this Door should be closed during the Ride.
· LIGHTING – An number of switches adequate sufficient to illuminate the Arena are marked.
INSTRUCTORS
We are fortunate that on most occasions there are at least TWO Instructors (or Trainees) available for each Ride – if so, during loading one should be at the Ramp, and the other in the Arena. However, when there is only one Instructor available, they should be mounted on the Ramp so that they can view both Mounting AND Assembly Area AND the Arena. Ideally the Instructor should be SUPERVISING rather that carrying out the loading – in this case ‘mounted’ horses should remain within the designated Riding Area, within easy sight of the Instructor.
RECORDS
· The Instructor must ensure that all relevant registration documentation has been completed and accepted by the Youth Leader on behalf of the RDA BEFORE they permit a Rider to mount & enter the Arena – THIS IS AN INSURANCE REQUIREMENT
· The Instructor or should ensure that all attendances by Riders Attendants & Helpers are recorded at reception (a Group List may be provided)
· Instructors must ensure that they have prepared a Rider’s Report Form for every rider and that the information within it is current. The original should be logged at Reception, and a copy retained in the Instructors Log
· The Instructors Log Book should be completed, and updated as circumstances change.
· Each Instructor will be allocated a portion of a filing cabinet – this should be kept locked at all times - the key will be available from reception, to which it must be returned at the end of each session (Alternatively, if desired, personal keys may be purchased from McCloskeys using the ref no on the key). ‘Personal’ information about Riders should not be taken off-site.
· An initial Risk Assessment Sheet MUST have been completed for the Arena & the Loading Area for each ride: this should be reviewed, and any changes recorded periodically, or when any significant factor changes.
· Incident/Accident sheets MUST be completed for each & every incident, whether any ‘hurt’ has occurred – the H&S Officer must analyse these & report ‘trends’ to Committee
· Copies of all paperwork are available from the open trolley in Reception.
