STUD & STABLE VISIT HEALTH & SAFETY AND RISK ASSESSMENT INFO

Stable and stud visits are free of charge, and open to everyone. Group sizes are kept to a maximum of 15 people (or within Covid regulations at the time of the visit), so those that find large groups uncomfortable can enjoy them. You must book your place via debbie@novicefilly.co.uk

The visits take place on working yards, and therefore the health and safety of everyone is paramount. Please read the following risks and instructions carefully, and if you have any queries, please get in touch:

Please wear wellies, walking boots, or trainers. Please do NOT wear sandals, flip flops, soft-toed, open-toed or shoes/boots with heels. These are not suitable due to the risk of slipping, the ground surfaces, or having your foot stepped on by a horse.

It is known that horses can be disorientated or upset by smelling too much perfume/aftershave/hairspray, or believe the sweet smell is food which could cause them to nip or bite, so please keep to a minimum, if at all.

Be careful when near horses at all times. Do not walk behind them and always approach slowly, quietly and cautiously, making them aware of your presence. Ideally approach from the side and do not jut your hand out directly towards their face as this could trigger their fight/flight instinct and cause them to spook, buck, rear or cause them to bite. Horse bites can be extremely nasty.

Please do not feed the horses without the permission of the trainer, this includes picks of grass or hay. Racehorses are on particular diets, and some are not to have any additional treats! Hand feeding horses can cause them to nip or bite which is why it is often discouraged.  Also, feeding horses something they should not have can be fatal. If you do bring carrots, apples or mints and are permitted to feed, please feed from the palm of your hand, keeping it completely flat and tucking in your thumb to avoid being bitten. Do not feed more than one or two treats.

Please ensure you wear appropriate clothing, and I advise you always bring an extra layer! Even if warm, the gallops to most yards are in exposed areas that can be chilly. Be mindful if wearing items like scarves as horses can take hold of them.

Please always stay with the group and listen to all instructions given by myself, the #GoRacingGreen ambassador leading the visit, and the trainer/yard staff. Do not wander off to any other areas.

Be mindful of equipment and machinery. The visits are on working yards, and there will be wheelbarrows, brooms, forks, hoses, bales of bedding, straw and feed, tractors, tack (saddles, bridles, headcollars), grooming boxes, farriery equipment. This list is not exhaustive. Please be aware of your surroundings at all times. 

When watching on the gallops please stay well back and do not make any sudden movements as they ride past, such as erecting an umbrella, waving your arms about, or making sudden, loud noises as this can spook them.

If you are bringing children, please ensure you are responsible for them at all times.

Assistance dogs are welcome, but please let me know in advance if you are bringing one with you on the visit.

If taking photographs, please avoid using a flash. There may be some horses unable to be photographed due to the wishes of the owner(s). You will be advised of this at the start of the visit.

Please keep mobile phones on silent.

No smoking, including vaping, within the racing yard or associated gallops/land.

Refreshments and toilet facilities will be available at all visits.

At the current time in the UK there are no legal regulations in relation to Covid and social visits.

However, please be mindful that some people on the visits may feel vulnerable, so we ask that social distancing is still enforced at a minimum of 1 metre.

You do not have to wear a mask, but you are welcome to if you feel more comfortable doing so.

Please do not attend a visit if you have symptoms of Covid-19, or have been with anyone who has had symptoms or tested positive for the virus within 7 days of the visit.

Please be mindful of handwashing.

Despite there being no legal restrictions, we will adhere to any rules and restrictions imposed by the yard we are visiting, and you will be made aware of these prior to the visit.

Race Day Meet Ups, as the title suggests, take place at scheduled race meetings.

You will require a basic price entry ticket to attend these (Under 18's race free at most fixtures).

They are very informal events where a meet up point and time will be arranged to meet others within the #GoRacingGreen community.

You can either stay with us throughout the whole race meeting or come and go as you please. You can ensure you will be in the company of those that understand the challenges that people can face in a race day environment.

Please wear appropriate clothing. Some larger fixtures may have a dress code, but all this information will be provided in advance.

#GoRacingGreen is a fully inclusive initiative. Anyone can book a place on events, you will not be asked about any condition or challenge you may have, unless you wish to disclose this.

However, please advise when booking your place if you have any physical or mental health requirements during the visit. This could be anything at all from feeling anxious, needing transport out to the gallops, being sensitive to noise, or anything that we need to know so you can be looked after in the best possible way and enjoy your visit.

As yet, there is nothing we have not been able to cater for.

If for whatever reason you do not wish to appear in photographs or on social media, please let me know.

Cakes and refreshments are provided, so please advise if you have any allergies.

If you would struggle with a group visit, family visits and one to one visits are available. Please email to discuss. 

Visits are also open to organisations, and specific groups, e.g. Autism, Dementia, SEND. If you or your organisation would be interested, please get in touch.

If you are kind enough to invite us to your stables or stud for an event, thank you.

All we ask is that, if at all possible, you can provide basic refreshments such as tea and coffee, and the use of a loo, as some people may have travelled a significant way, or require these for a medical reason.

I will always provide cake(s)!

You will be notified in advanced if any of those booked on the visits have special accessibility requirements or anything else you need to be aware of, to ensure these can be accommodated.