Making Momentum CIC Care of Horses in Emergency Procedure 

At Making Momentum we believe it is important to have a comprehensive Care of Horses in Emergency procedure in place. This procedure will ensure that, in the event of an emergency, horses are properly cared for, and their welfare is not compromised.  

Contact Information for Emergency Situations 

  • Contact details for emergency services, key holders and other relevant persons are on display, along with Making Momentum’s address and location. These are: 

  • Saltersford Farm, Macclesfield Road, Twemlow, CW4 8AN 

What 3 words: ///skyrocket.minds.rather 

  • Key Holder Contacts: Alex Northover 07779273034. Leanne Northover 07846374537. 

  • Vet: Brown Moss Equine Clinic 01928787500 

  • Emergency Services: 999 

 

In the event of the license holder being incapacitated staff members and family connections are on hand to take over care of the horses. Leanne Northover has contact details for all relevant persons. All details required for their care are documented in policies and procedures that are accessible via QR code links kept in the feed room. 

Emergency Veterinary Care 

  • Details of first aid procedures can be found in the Health and Welfare Procedure.  

  • Where veterinary assistance is required a vet from Brown Moss Equine Clinic can be contacted at 01928787500 and can usually be present in around 30 minutes including out of hours emergencies. If unable to attend in a reasonable time frame alternative vet contact details are: Ashbrook Equine Hospital 01565 723030, Wright and Morten Vets 01260 280800. 

Identification and Record Keeping 

  • Horses' identity and health records are maintained on their horse log pages, accessible via QR code on their name plate and include any known allergies, medical history, and vaccination status. 

  • All staff are familiar with the procedures for checking and recording horse health and know to identify any changes in condition or behavior, by reporting to a senior staff member and making a written note on the work log. 

Incident Reporting and First Aid  

  • Any incidents or accidents to horse, staff, clients, volunteers and visitors should be documented in the incident logbook as soon as is reasonably possible by a senior member of staff in conjunction with any witnesses. This may include any incidents or accidents, including falls, injuries, or other emergency situations and cover a log of the event, the actions taken, and the outcome. 

  • Human First Aid Kits are available in the feed room and ‘Flora’ caravan with their locations clearly marked. Multiple members of staff are accredited first aiders. Signage on site indicates their names.  

  • Equine First Aid Kit is available in the feed room with further supplies being stored in ‘the cattery’. 

Transport in Emergency Situations 

  • In case a horse needs to be transported to a veterinary clinic or other facilities for emergency care see the Transport Procedure. 

 

Contingency Plans 

  • Action plans for Fire, Escape and Abscondment are detailed in the relevant policies. 

  • Specific hazards in the area are addressed in the risk assessment document. 

 

Staff Training and Awareness 

  • All staff are adequately trained in handling horses in emergencies, basic equine first aid, and how to spot signs of distress or injury in horses. See the Health and Welfare procedure for more information. 

 

 Communication Plan 

  • Communication strategies for each event are detailed in the relevant procedure. Senior staff members will coordinate responses and direct communication between staff, services, authorities and clients as needed.  

Post-Incident Procedures 

  • Following an emergency, an incident log will be completed as soon as reasonably possible by a senior member of staff in consultation with any witnesses. This will any steps or actions require to prevent any reoccurrence.  Recovery may include assessing the horse's health post-incident, follow-up veterinary checks, and updating horse records with details of the incident. A senior member of staff will communicate with clients regarding any incidents involving horses, particularly if a horse needs to be removed from service for recovery within 36 hours. 

Horse Behavior Management 

  • All horses at Making Momentum are extensively behaviour tested and well trained. We recognise the importance of understanding each horse's temperament and how this may impact emergency handling. Horses can behave in unpredictable ways during unfamiliar events. Signs that a horse is stressed may include:  

Behavioral signs  

  • Pacing: Moving around restlessly 

  • Pawing: Kicking the ground 

  • Sweating: Excessive sweating, especially around the neck and back 

  • Tail swishing: Swishing the tail from side to side 

  • Vocalizations: Whinnying or making other sounds 

  • Abnormal behaviors: Box ticking, swaying, or repeatedly lowering the head 

  • Aggressive behavior: Bucking, bolting, biting, rearing, or pawing 

Physiological signs  

  • Increased heart rate: A faster than normal heart rate 

  • Fast breathing: Breathing more quickly than normal 

  • Muscle tremors: Trembling muscles 

  • Frequent bowel movements: Having more frequent bowel movements than normal 

Horses display such behaviours should be dealt with calmly and sympathetically by senior members of staff only.