Health and Safety Protocol - Natural Hoof Balance  & Horse

Workplace safety is important!!!  


Hoof Trimming/Bodywork can be dangerous - especially if trimming, as the trimmer is working with the kicking part of the horse!!!!!!

This has led to me identifying a protocol to minimise the danger.

OPERATING MINIMUMS  (Effective 1 June 2022)

1.         A secure  working area is made available - (horse is able to be worked on without any outside interference).

2.         Only 1 horse in the work area at one time

3.         Horse is familiar with leg handling and will hold one leg up safely without striking/kicking or any other movement directed towards the handler/trimmer.  Full price will still be charged if I am attending the hooves  - the horse does not cooperate.  It it not my role to rectify this issue - hence full price for what I can do.

4.         The handler of the horse must remain 'present' while I am  working with the horse i.e.  no cellphone use. 

5.         The handler of the horse MUST NOT interfere with the horse while I am trimming.  Stay present and remember your role is to help me stay safe  while I am lifting the hooves or massaging.  Now is not the time to pull manes, pick and fiddle with parts of the horse.

6.   I sometimes will 'work alone'.  This is only done upon prior arrangement with the owner and it is initiated by me.

REASONS TO NOT CONTINUE TRIMMING/BODYWORK

1.  One kick from your horse is all it takes.    I WILL NOT return for a revisit for that horse or any other horse owned by the handler/owner.  It may seem like a harsh decision - but one that is for my safety.  There will be no revisits.

1a.   The definition of a kick is an intentional sideways limb movement aimed at the person working on the horse - me.   

2.   If the horse becomes unmanageable during the bodywork/trimming session the session is deemed finished.     Full price will still be charged.

Thats it for now

Cath Shannon Natural HoofBalance

30 January 2024