First Aid in the Equine Industry: Why Every Australian Horse Workplace Needs a Human-Focused Emergency Plan
First Aid in the Equine Industry: Why Every Australian Horse Workplace Needs a Human-Focused Emergency Plan
Working with horses is one of the most rewarding careers in Australia but it is also one of the most dangerous. The equine industry consistently ranks among the highest-risk occupational sectors, with injuries and fatalities regularly reported across racing, agistment, breeding farms, riding schools, trail operations, and private equine businesses. Falls, kicks, trampling, crush injuries and vehicle-horse collisions continue to dominate coronial data, reminding us that even the most experienced handler is never immune to risk.
But while most equine workplaces invest heavily in horse welfare, saddle fit, and property management, far fewer apply the same level of planning and prevention to human first aid despite the undeniable fact that people, not horses, suffer the most severe consequences during incidents.
This blog explores why human-centred first aid must be a foundational safety element in any equine workplace, how recent tragedies highlight the urgency for change, and the practical steps Australian horse businesses can take to build a safer, evidence-based emergency response culture.
The Hard Reality: Horse Work Is High-Risk Work
The equine industry’s injury and fatality rates are not driven by inexperience alone. In fact, seasoned workers track riders, trainers, instructors, stable hands, and agricultural stock staff feature heavily in coronial reports. According to research analysed in the reference document, 50 horse-related human deaths between 2000 and 2020 were subjected to a detailed HFACS-Eq (Human Factors Analysis & Classification System - Equestrianism) review, revealing:
56% resulted from falls of more than 1 metre, generally from riding.
24% resulted from direct horse contact (kicks, strikes, or bites).
96% involved blunt force trauma as the fatal mechanism.
Fatalities occurred in both metropolitan and remote environments, with farms and sporting facilities topping the list.
These numbers don’t represent freak accidents they represent predictable risk patterns that every equine workplace must prepare for.
Lessons from Recent Australian Fatalities
The tragic deaths of a stable worker at Cranbourne Training Centre (July 2025) and a strapper at Bendigo Racecourse (May 2025) were confronting reminders of the consequences of inadequate emergency readiness. In both cases, head trauma was a key factor one caused by a kick, the other by a fall within tie-up stalls. Despite immediate CPR attempts, both lives were unable to be saved.
These incidents highlight the importance of:
Immediate response capability
Correct application of high-risk first aid (trauma, bleeding control, airway management)
Fast access to equipment, including AEDs
Regularly trained staff not just one designated “first aider”
Most equine workplaces operate in a dynamic, high-risk environment: unpredictable animals, confined spaces, shifting surfaces, machinery, high workloads, and complex human-animal interactions.
Without structured first aid training, staff are left to rely on instinct rather than skill and instinct is rarely enough.
Why Human First Aid Must Be Industry-Specific
Generic first aid training is valuable but equine workplaces face unique challenges that standard courses rarely address:
1. High-Risk Injury Types
Horse-related injuries differ from typical workplace hazards:
Severe head trauma
Crush injuries
Chest and abdominal blunt force
Internal bleeding
Spinal trauma from falls
Environmental complications (dust, weather, remote areas)
Responders must know how to manage high-energy trauma safely, especially when the horse is still present.
2. Complex Scene Safety
Workers often freeze, panic or attempt unsafe rescues. Industry-specific first aid training teaches staff to:
Manage the horse first
Control the environment
Protect themselves and the casualty
Coordinate with emergency services
Communicate effectively under pressure
3. Remote & Isolated Work
Many equine staff work alone, or in locations where ambulances may take 30-90 minutes to arrive.
The reference document emphasises the value of advanced certifications such as:
These courses build the skills needed to manage a casualty for longer periods an essential capability in regional and rural settings.
Common Gaps in Equine Workplace First Aid
From reviewing coronial findings, equine WHS requirements, and industry case studies, several gaps repeatedly emerge:
Lack of Standardised Emergency Procedures
Many workplaces have no written emergency plan or staff have never seen it. This leads to confusion, delay, and preventable errors.
Inadequate Supervision or Communication
One in four fatalities involved some form of supervisory failure, including poor communication, incorrect instructions, or failure to enforce PPE.
Unsafe Human Acts
Around 30% of deaths involved human behaviour such as:
Underestimating hazards
Not following procedures
Risky riding behaviour
Returning to work while injured
These behaviours can be reduced with structured first aid and safety training.
Understocked or Poorly Positioned First Aid Kits
First aid kits must be:
Accessible
Visible
Regularly audited
Suitable for trauma
Distributed across the workplace
Most equine environments need more than one kit and often an AED.
Building a Culture of Safety: Practical Recommendations
1. Mandatory Industry-Specific First Aid Training
Every staff member not just supervisors should complete:
Remote/Isolated First Aid (HLTAID013) if outside metro areas
Training must be refreshed regularly and delivered by educators who understand equine environments.
2. Conduct Regular Scenario Training
Practise emergency responses for:
Kicks
Falls
Crush injuries
Entrapment
Unconscious riders
Severe bleeding
Suspected spinal injury
Multiple casualty incidents
Medical emergencies triggered by stress or heat
Scenario work is crucial for confidence and capability during real incidents.
3. Adopt a Tiered Emergency Response System
A clear chain of response reduces chaos.
First responder: immediate care
Second responder: call 000, retrieve equipment
Third responder: manage the horse, secure site
This structure saves lives.
4. Strengthen Incident Reporting
Coronial data repeatedly shows underreporting and incomplete records.
Accurate reporting helps:
Identify patterns
Improve safety controls
Support insurance claims
Comply with WHS legislation
Digital reporting tools improve accuracy and reduce paperwork.
5. Evaluate Your PPE Protocols
Helmets save lives but only if:
Correctly fitted
In good condition
Appropriate for the activity
The reference document notes that helmets were absent in approximately one in eight fatal cases, yet even when worn, they cannot fully protect against high-energy trauma.
PPE must be part of a layered safety system not the only line of defence.
Why First Aid Preparedness Is a Duty of Care
Safe Work Australia’s Horse Industry Model Code is clear: employers must provide a safe working environment, adequate training, and appropriate emergency preparedness.
With the equine industry’s known risk profile, failure to provide robust first aid preparedness may expose businesses to liability, WorkSafe action, and severe reputational damage.
But beyond compliance, the moral responsibility is clear: your staff deserve to go home safely every day.
Take Action Today: Your Staff’s Safety Depends on It
No equine workplace is immune to emergencies, but every equine workplace can prepare for them.
Equip your team with the skills and confidence needed to respond calmly and effectively when things go wrong.
👉 Book a private, industry specific First Aid course for your equine workplace:
https://reachau.com.au
Courses are tailored to your environment, your staff, and the real risks you face every day working with horses.
