Safety First!

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Safety First!

• Riding Safety, Riding Safely

North American Trail Ride Conference
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Safety First! Riding Safety, Riding Safely

• What is a Safety Rider?
• Safety Riders are Ride Officials
• One or more Safety Riders follow competitors on
  the trail to assist any horse or rider in the
  event of an emergency.
• Who is eligible to be a Safety Rider?
• Non-competing NATRC members and non-members 18
  years of age or older
• Reference NATRC Rule Book, Sections 3.B.7 and
  4.D.1

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Safety First! Riding Safety, Riding Safely

• But what REALLY is a Safety Rider?
• An experienced horseman riding a sound, fit and
  well-trained equine partner
• A first-responder who provides immediate
  first-aid care to an injured horse or rider
• A person of sound judgment with effective crisis
  management skills
• A competent horse handler with knowledge of horse
  training methods
• Someone who cares about people, horses and NATRC

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Safety First! Riding Safety, Riding Safely

• What is a Safety Chairperson?
• Ride Managers may assign one person to coordinate
  the activities of the Safety Riders
• Is a Safety Chairperson required?
• No, but one is highly recommended to relieve Ride
  Manager of many important duties pertaining to
  the safety of rides
• NATRC Rule Book Reference none

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Safety First! Riding Safety, Riding Safely

• What does the Safety Chairperson do?
• Recruits qualified Safety Riders
• Assesses qualifications of Safety riders and
  horses
• Assigns Safety Riders according to qualifications
• Obtains emergency contact information for Safety
  Riders
• Insures releases are signed by Safety riders
• Coordinates Coggins check of Safety horses
• Insures Safety riders are properly equipped with
  vests, radios or phones, first aid supplies,
  halter and lead.
• Collects NATRC Safety equipment at close of ride
• Submits volunteer hours for Safety Riders and
  horses
• NATRC Rule Book Reference none

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Safety First! Riding Safety, Riding Safely

• Safety Riding is NOT
• For schooling or training a young or green horse
• For schooling or training a young or green rider
• An introduction to NATRC or competitive trail
• Preparation for another sport
• Primarily a social engagement, although it is a
  great volunteer opportunity!

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Safety First! Riding Safety, Riding Safely

• The Accident Report
• Not the direct responsibility of Safety Rider,
  but he/she may be the only accident witness
  available to make a statement
• Contains accidents of all types
• Injury or non-injury
• Medical attention or no medical attention
• Does not go directly to the Insurance company
• Not the NATRC police report on ride management
• One tool used to improve NATRC rules, ride
  locations, judging practices and administration
• Needs to be honest and complete if it happens,
  it should be reported

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Safety First! Riding Safety, Riding Safely

• Resources available to Safety Riders
• Safety Rider Requirements and Safety
  Guidelines from Ride Manager and on
  www.natrc.org
• Emergency contact phone numbers and instructions
• Current rider list with names and rider numbers
• Introductory letter from National Safety
  Committee
• Copies of past well done Accident Reports as
  examples
• Current and Past Safety Riders and other
  experienced Safety Riders by e-mail and phone

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Safety First! Riding Safety, Riding Safely

• Interesting Circumstances and what to do
• Life-threatening rider injury
• Secure the scene to prevent more injuries
• Call or send for help FIRST, including 911 and
  ride management
• Do not move victim or allow victim to move, if
  possible
• Administer comfort until help arrives
• Non-life threatening rider injury and/or horse
  injury
• Secure the scene
• Assess need and administer first-aid
• Alert ride management
• Assist horse/rider to camp
• Unexpected dangerous trail
• Halt riders and alert ride management
• Flag around danger, if possible

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Safety First! Riding Safety, Riding Safely
Safety Riders We cant live without them
Contact a Ride Manager to apply To find the
current National Safety Chair, Visit the NATRC
website Committees page.