There are significant safety risks associated with working with horses. Even the most highly trained horses and riders can have incidents which lead to serious injury or death. In addition to the risk of falls when riding a horse, there are also risks associated with being kicked or bitten during other work with horses.
The person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) should ensure a competent person undertakes a risk assessment before workers or other persons, such as clients or visitors, are required to ride or handle horses.
Additional guidance
- Horses on farms: Information sheet
Information on hazards from working with horses and reducing the risk of injuries. - Working with horses on farms: Checklist
This checklist has been developed to establish safe work procedures for working with horses on farms that can be adapted through consultation with workers and their health and safety representatives.