Spring 2008 Farm Safety Kids' Club Newsletter

Quick Safety Tips for Spring Weather

• Always tell a parent when you go outside.
• Wear a helmet if you are riding a horse or operating any off-road motorized vehicle.
• Watch out for running water in ditches or in fields.
• Eat healthy food and drink lots of water if you are playing outside for a long time.
• Remember to wear sunscreen on skin that is exposed to the sun.
• Make sure you play in a safe area where there are no animals or farm machinery.

• If you’re around baby calves this spring, here are a few reminders to stay safe!
• Never go in a pen with a cow and her calf without an adult. The cow could hurt you.
• Never tease cattle in a pen because they could charge at you and possibly break the corrals.
• Stay off corrals and gates, because if you lose your balance you could fall.
• Baby calves can kick and bunt really hard. It’s better not to play with them.
• Don’t put your hand through the corrals because, if a cow hits your hand, you could get hurt.
• Even if you don’t see the cow, never go up to a lone calf. The cow could be watching and charge at you.
• A calf laying down can get up really, really fast. Don’t get in the way!

But wait—are you wearing the proper clothing and protective gear? Do you know how to lead and tie up your horses safely? And what about the way you act around them? Does it matter?

Yes, it all matters. Horses and ponies are big animals capable of hurting or even killing you. So in order to enjoy the rides and time you spend with your big furry friends, you need to act safely. Here are some tips:

Proper clothing:

• Wear appropriate footwear. Wear shoes or boots with closed toes for handling horses, and boots with a heel for riding in a saddle with stirrups. The heel will prevent your foot from getting stuck in the stirrup.
• Pants and long-sleeved shirt. These clothes will protect you from bug bites, scratches and the sun.
• If you are going to ride your horse, WEAR A HELMET. See the helmet safety article on the next page of this newsletter for details on fitting your helmet.

• Make sure you get an adult to help you handle your horse.
• Never coil the rope around your hand because the horse can pull away and the coil will tighten. This could be really dangerous.
• Walk along side the neck of the horse between the head and shoulders. Be aware that the horse can spook at things around him; be ready to push yourself away if this happens.
• When you tie the horse, get an adult to show you the quick-release knot. Tie the horse at wither height so she has enough head room and won’t feel trapped.

• Always walk around horses; don’t run. If you run, she could think you are something dangerous and spook.
• Talk in a soft and calm voice so the horse knows you’re there and your voice can soothe him.
• When you are working around the horse, stay as close as you can so that if he moves, you can feel it. Also remember if the horse kicks, the closer you are to his body, the less it will hurt.
• Horses are very generous and loving creatures, but sometimes their instincts take over. If you follow these safety tips, you will have a better chance of really enjoying your time with your horse.

• The easiest way to shop for a correctly fitting helmet is to go to your local tack shop. The staff will be eager to help
• select and fit a helmet for you. However, if you find yourself shopping alone...
• Find a helmet, designed specifically for equestrian activities, that you like the look of. Remember you will be wearing it every time you ride. Right?
• Check the inside of the helmet for a tag stating the helmet is CSA/ASTM-SEI
• certified. If it is not, since you are
• shopping for a RIDING helmet, put it back. It will not protect you in a fall.
• Put it on your head. It should fit all the way down onto the top of your head, and cup your entire skull. If it doesn't, it is too small.
• Make sure the front of the helmet is no more than about 1 1/2 inches or two fingers above your eyebrows.
• Give your head a vigorous shake like you are saying no. If it slides around, it is too big.
• Grab hold of it and gently rock it back and forth or nod "Yes" vigorously. Your skin should move with it so that your
• eyebrows go up and down. You don't have to wiggle it very far. You just want to make sure it's not too long for you.
• Buckle the chin strap and adjust it so that it fits comfortably under your chin back against your throat. Make sure it is not too loose, but you should be able to chew comfortably. Another method is to yawn as vertically as possible.
• Way to go you have a helmet that fits! Now wear it and have a great ride!

• A helmet that doesn't fit will NOT protect you if you fall. This cannot be stressed enough!!
• NEVER use a bike helmet for riding. They don't cover the back of your head well enough and are designed for riding bicycles! Horse riding helmets are designed for riding horses.
• Never buy a second hand helmet; you never know if it's been damaged from a fall.
• If you have a big fall, always replace your helmet as it may have cracked inside and will not protect your head as well as a new one would.