Emergencies

All staff, instructors and therapists are certified in techniques of immediate first aid and CPR. All volunteers, interns and assistants should follow instructions given by the certified emergency personnel on hand. A basic human first aid kit is located in the barn near the tack room and major medical supplies are located in the marked cabinet in the barn lobby.Emergency Medical Procedures

• Major Injury

  1. The instructor appoints someone to:

     • Phone emergency number and read directions to Alpha Equestrian Center located by the phone

     • Remain at the barn area to direct emergency vehicle(s) and reassure people nearby

     • Ensure the instructor has a mobile device to retrieve the injured person's file

  2. The instructor appoints a volunteer to:

     • Go to the road and wait for the emergency vehicle(s) to arrive

     • Stop driver(s) and have lights and sirens turned off so the horses and riders will not be frightened

     • Tell the driver(s) where the accident is and how to get there

  3. The instructor will decide who will remain with the injured person and who will take others to the safest area away from the accident

  4. Staff, volunteers, and others will continue in an orderly manner or return to the barn

• Minor Injury

• 1. The needs of the individual should be met as guided by the instructor

  2. If the injured person is a rider, have the horse taken back to the barn and properly attended to

  3. If the person in need can't or shouldn't walk, a vehicle may be driven to the area if possible

  4. Staff, volunteers, and others should continue in an orderly manner

Pre-existing Weather Conditions

Riding classes will be canceled in advance in cases where current or approaching weather conditions may impact the safety of our riders, volunteers, or horses. Some instances may be tornado warnings, high heat index, icy or hazardous road conditions, electrical storms, extreme cold temperatures, or wind conditions. If lessons are canceled, phone, text and/or email notification will occur as early as possible to all affected persons.

Unexpected Weather Conditions

Heaven's Gait will maintain a functional weather alert radio that is monitored when inclement weather is forecast. If electrical storms or tornado warning occur during lesson times, they will be delayed until conditions are safe. In the event of a sudden emergency or imminent danger, horse leaders or staff members will hold the horses. Side-walkers will dismount the riders in the arena and proceed to shelter.

• • Electrical Storms: riders will dismount using normal dismounting procedures. Horse leaders will tend to horses and side-walkers will escort riders back to waiting areas. Volunteers and riders will remain in waiting areas until safe riding conditions return or lesson time has ended.

  • Tornado Warnings: riders will dismount using normal dismounting procedures. Horse leaders will tend to horses and side-walkers will escort riders. If conditions outside permit, all persons in the facility who are physically capable will proceed to the designated shelter area, being the concrete block feed room within the barn.

Fire

In case of fire within the barn or arena, at the instructor's direction, follow these procedures:

• • Riders will be dismounted

  • Riders and volunteers will vacate the premises immediately and proceed to outdoor areas

  • A call will be made to 911

  • Horses and other animals will be turned out of the barn

  • All staff will vacate the premises and proceed to outdoor areas

  • Further instructions will be given by the Fire Department. Alpha Equestrian is 1.5 miles from the nearest Hickory Flat Firehouse.