Being Prepared for Yard Emergencies: A Practical Guide

As Livery Yard Insurance experts, we understand running an equestrian premises comes with a wide range of responsibilities, and one of the most important is being prepared for emergencies.

Whether an incident involves a horse, a person, or both, having clear plans and procedures in place can significantly reduce risk, protect welfare, and ensure legal and insurance obligations are met. Our team recently caught up with Cheryl Johns from LiveryList to discuss key considerations for yard owners and horse owners.

Know Your Location

In an emergency, every minute counts. Emergency services and veterinary professionals must be able to find your yard quickly and easily. Make sure your address is accurate and clearly displayed. For larger or more remote yards, tools such as What3Words are extremely useful for pinpointing exact locations, including field entrances, tracks, or hard-to-reach areas. Ensure staff and regular clients know how to share this information.

First Aid and Essential Supplies

A well-stocked and regularly checked first aid supply is essential. Under UK legislation, yards with employees must provide suitable first-aid equipment for people, but best practice goes further and includes equine first-aid supplies as well. Access to clean water, warm water if possible, clean towels, bandages, and designated clean emergency buckets can make a significant difference in an urgent situation. All equipment should be easy to access and clearly labelled.

Planning for Emergency Equine Transport

Emergency transport is an essential part of emergency planning. Consider in advance how a horse would be transported to a veterinary practice if urgent treatment is required. Ensure access routes are suitable for horseboxes or trailers and kept clear at all times. Keep contact details for local transport providers or veterinary hospitals readily available, and ensure any yard vehicles or trailers are well-maintained, insured, and ready for immediate use.

Risk Assessments and Emergency Procedures

In the UK, risk assessments are a legal requirement under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. These should cover routine yard activities as well as foreseeable emergencies, including loose horses, fires, vehicle movements, severe weather, and serious injuries. Emergency procedures such as fire evacuation plans, accident response, and identifying trained first aiders should be clearly documented, regularly reviewed, and shared with staff, liveries, and visitors.

Records, Reporting, and Contact Information

Up-to-date records are vital during an emergency. Keep accurate contact details for horse owners, staff, clients, and next of kin so the right people can be contacted quickly. Accident books should be maintained, and any reportable injuries to people must be recorded and, where applicable, reported under RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013).

Safety When Hacking Out

Emergencies don’t only happen on the yard, so it’s important to plan for safety when riders are out hacking. Encourage clients and staff to wear high-visibility clothing, especially in low-light conditions for both themselves and the horse they are riding. Always share intended routes beforehand so someone knows where each rider will be, and consider using mobile tracking or check-in systems for longer rides. Keep emergency contact details for riders readily available, such as on or in a dedicated phone list, or even tag the horse’s tack in case they are separated from the rider, so that if an accident occurs off-site, responders have the necessary information to act quickly.

Insurance, Compliance, and Due Diligence

From an insurance perspective, preparation is critical. Policies should be reviewed regularly to ensure they reflect the current operation of the yard, including staffing, activities, and facilities. Risk assessments, emergency plans, training records, and maintenance logs should be kept up to date. Having clear documentation demonstrates due diligence and helps ensure insurance requirements are met in the event of a claim or investigation.

Ongoing Health and Safety Measures

Additional health and safety steps can greatly reduce the likelihood and impact of accidents. Emergency contact numbers should be clearly displayed around the yard, including vets, farriers, and utility providers. Fire extinguishers must be appropriate for the risks present and regularly serviced. Electrical systems, machinery, fencing, and surfaces should be inspected and maintained, and adequate lighting provided. Regular staff training in horse handling, manual handling, and emergency response helps reinforce a strong safety culture.

Bringing It All Together

Good emergency preparedness is about more than reacting to incidents; it is about planning ahead, helping to reduce risk, and protecting everyone on the yard. A well-organised yard with clear procedures, trained staff, and up-to-date documentation is better equipped to respond calmly and effectively when an emergency occurs, safeguarding both equine welfare and human safety.

About SEIB

SEIB Insurance Brokers have been helping yards of all sizes find the Livery Yard Insurance for their needs since 1999. Whether you’re running a large equestrian centre, riding school, or small private livery yard, our experienced livery yard insurance team will give you the peace of mind you need.

If you own a livery yard, keep it safe with valued protection from SEIB. Call us now to get a Livery Yard Insurance quote on 01708 850 000 or email info@seib.co.uk to find out more.