A Safer Horse Industry

The North American Horsemen’s Association (NAHA) was established in the midst of an insurance crisis in 1987 by Horsewoman and Insurance expert, Linda Liestman.  Back then, many barns and stables were driven out of business by the lack of availability of liability insurance.  Ms. Liestman showed incredible foresight in organizing a professional group of horse people/equine business owners concerned with the safe, insurable future of this industry. 

In conjunction with professionals from all over North America, she established minimum safety standards for equine related activities.  NAHA also provided educational resources, legal contracts, risk reduction standards and professional assistance in keeping up with an industry increasingly vulnerable to its often litigious clientele.  Her work attracted major underwriters to the world of equine insurance for the first time, making equine related policies affordable to all.  The input from the legal community into this organization made it invaluable to professional horsemen all over the country.   

I am proud to have been involved in the organization and its annual conferences as Ms. Liestman has influenced the way I do business and provide for the safety of my students and clients.  It’s fair to say that the NAHA has changed the way many professional horsemen do business.

Although the NAHA is not as active as it was back in the early days, its existence constantly reminds me why the insurance crisis occurred in the first place.

As horse owners, we need to take far more responsibility for our safety, the safety of our horses, the safety of anyone who comes in contact with us both and the future of the industry.

That statement is not targeted toward the novice, non-owner who rents a horse at the local livery, rather it is specifically aimed at those of us who own horses, offer horse-related services or sponsor equine related events. 

Horse businesses and equine sponsors are typically monitored by their insurers.  They must meet minimal safety standards, keep written records, post signs and meet contractual obligations with their clients.  Those businesses that are not insured don’t last long as one accident is enough financial burden to shut them down permanently.  This is why fewer and fewer stables offer public trail rides or livery horses for rent: To do it right requires more than just expertise and good horses.  Liability insurance is a must!  Ron Clayton, a long-time NAHA member and head wrangler at the Grand Canyon Stables has run thousands of “dudes” down the south canyon rim in twenty years with very few serious accidents.  A commitment to a safer industry, like Ron’s, drives many professionals to take their role as horseman quite seriously.

Private horse owners, on the other hand, have the most injuries, the poorest safety records and take the biggest risks with their animals.  The inspiration for this column is the number of accidents that I know of personally in New Mexico this past year!  All but one involved horse owner’s who should have known better, did know better or simply didn’t use common sense when dealing with horses.  I feel that this is such an important issue I should list a few circumstances that can result in serious injury to people or horses.  Even if you are not a professional horse person, safety is your responsibility!

• Most accidents occur on the ground, not while riding.  Have a plan for feeding and stall/pen cleaning that provides for your safety.  NEVER trust ANY horse completely.  Invest in the time to work with your animals so that feeding time is not anxiety filled.  Some ways to accomplish this is to always feed at regular times, feed several small meals or feed free choice hay, keep aggressive horses housed away from vulnerable ones and set up feeding stations that offer physical security to the person doing the feeding.  More space for horses and more grass hay is almost always a good start
• Get rid of the barbed wire, especially in small areas with many horses.  Unless you run your herd on big country (and even then) barbed wire is simply bad for horses.  Economically, this is a tough one, but weigh it against the price of loss or future Vet bills and safe fencing just makes sense.
• Don’t let others ride your horses.  We’ve all done it but that doesn’t make it OK!  You open yourself up for liability and worse yet, injury to your friend.  Obtain a professionally written lease if you are planning a long-term use situation.  Far too often I see people who call themselves “experienced” riding a borrowed horse that’s way too much for them.  Worse yet, I see owners putting others on their horses to “solve” problems that they cannot handle personally.  Often because they are too cheap to get professional help or too ignorant/arrogant to listen to a trainer’s advice. 
• ALWAYS follow basic safety rules when around horses.  This topic is a column in itself!  If I only mention a few here it would be appropriate attire on the ground and in the saddle, keeping your eye on horses while feeding, cleaning, shoe-ing, loading, walking, tying (having an “out” at all times) and using common sense when riding.  Trail rides are especially risk oriented because so many “riders” think its OK to let horses:  run up and down hills, choose their gaits whenever, pass other horses, run up on others, trespass on others property and generally do as they please.  Poor behavior on the trail has led to several serious accidents this year and all could have been prevented if the “riders” had ridden with courtesy to others and at a level/site appropriate to ALL on the ride.
• Keep learning.  Beware the person who thinks they know it all.  A lifelong cowboy had a self-titled book on his shelf with a cover that read “Everything I know about horses”.  Inside were 200 blank pages.  Humility allows you to be a life-long learner.  Arrogance will get you hurt!

Obviously there are more safety issues to address.  I suggest you find a book that covers basic horse ownership* or take a lesson from a good instructor to learn more.  The NAHA has done so much to insure that horses are an affordable part of this country in the future, the rest is up to us!  Do your part by being a safe, responsible horse person.

North American Horsemen’s Association (NAHA)

PO Box 223

Paynesville, MN 56362

1-800-328-8894

Equine Law and Horse Sense (and other titles)

By Julie Fershtman, Attorney

PO Box 250696

Franklin, MI 48025

1-810-644-8645

*Linda Liestman’s affordable book on horse ownership/safety is available by calling the NAHA.