Horse Safety Australia Standards for Riding Programs 2019
Safe Work Australia – “Guide to managing risks when new and inexperienced persons interact with horses”. June 2014
This is the most significant document in Australia for those working with beginner riders or handlers. If working with beginner riders, or people new to working in the horse industry, this Guide must be taken seriously, as it was endorsed by the Work Cover representatives. It covers the requirements for those teaching beginners to ride, taking them on trail rides, and inducting staff new to horse activities.
AHIC Code of Practice revised October 2009
The Australian Horse Industry Council has a Code of Practice for horse activities which is voluntary, but consulted by lawyers and coroners. The “HorseSafe” Code of Conduct for horse activities was developed in consultation with the whole horse industry in Australia (including HSA):
This code is relevant to those working with horses in a business in NSW.
Australian Adventure Activity Standards
In 2019 the Adventure Activity Standards were nationalized with a section on trail riding. This has become the go to authority on running trail rides for dependent participants.
Adventure Activity Standards for Horse Trail Riding. Sept 2019
This section, specific to trail riding, is in the context of the core information which covers all outdoor activities.
Education Department Guidelines to schools for horse activities.
All states require either school teaching staff with horse backgrounds, or external qualified instructors to teach horse riding to students. In many cases Horse Safety Australia is mentioned as a suitable qualification (some have not yet changed the name from AHSE, but we are the same organisation!)
Other laws and regulations which may be related to your horse activities:
- WHS legislation and resources: relating to workplace, employment and public access to businesses
- Helmet standards (Australian) ASNZ3838 and others that are equivalent
- Employment legislation re employees and their conditions (state and/or federal systems may apply)
- State and shire/council laws and regulations
- Property Identification Codes (PIC) are being introduced through the Departments of Primary Industry in most states, for all properties with horses on them. These will soon be mandatory in most states.
- Animal welfare legislation (currently different in each state)
- Fair trading acts, and
- Laws relating to negligence
- Building codes
- Food handling regulations (if you provide food to clients)