ETRC HEALTH AND SAFETY RULES

The Health and Safety Committee has generated the following rules for the care and custody of horses, and the comfort and convenience of all members. All ETRC members and guests are expected to follow them. Special exceptions may be granted upon approval by the board of directors if a member presents sufficient reason to deviate from these rules. Requests must be submitted in writing to the board and approved by a majority vote. However, deliberate infractions of these rules will result in a $25.00 fine. Stall deficiencies not corrected within the given time will also incur a $25.00 fine. Any third infraction within a two month period will require that the member appear before the Board of Directors to show cause why he/she should not be expelled from membership. Fines are obligations to ETRC, and must be paid in full before membership can be renewed.

1. At no time shall horses be turned loose intentionally on ETRC property. This is dangerous for the horse, and exposes the horse owner and ETRC to potentially damaging lawsuits. Mares and geldings may be turned out in designated turn-out paddocks. Stallions may be turned out in the stallion paddock only.

2. Speeding or reckless driving is forbidden on ETRC property. Both speeding and reckless driving show disregard for the safety of horses, and of other club members. Vehicles must be driven slowly and prudently, staying on driveways unless performing club chores. The speed limit on barn property is 5 mph.

3. Children under 16 years of age must not be left unattended on ETRC property. A parent, guardian or an appointed adult shall be responsible for watching children and ensuring they do not engage in unsafe activities. This is a reiteration of a standing club rule.

4. Cobwebs are to be removed from assigned areas of the barn including stalls, tack rooms, adjacent hallways and spare rented space. Dusty cobwebs burn quickly, and will carry fire into other stalls/areas. Cobwebs can also present a respiratory hazard to the horses forced to live around them. Common areas including rest room, main hallways and club room shall be cleaned during work days as a minimum.

5. Should at any time a member threatens bodily harm toward another member verbally, in writing or with actual physical contact, the member may be expelled from ETRC upon 2/3 majority vote of board of directors.

A. Stall deficiencies must be corrected within 2 days unless otherwise directed by the board of directors.

B. Insufficient or excessive bedding. If sawdust is used for bedding less than four inches deep may not be sufficient to absorb urine, cushion the resting horse, or insulate against the cold. Excessive bedding can cause walls to collapse or rot and restrict the horse's movements to a small area. If using wood pellet bedding or shavings, two inches is appropriate. Refer to Health Issues note 4 for additional stall bedding requirements.

C. Structural condition of stall. ETRC will correct dilapidation and maintain general use areas. That is, ETRC will repair the effects of age and weather, and maintain areas used by all members such as the wash rack. Each club member is responsible for repairing any damage done by his/her horse, such as broken or missing boards, chewed feed boxes or mangers, doors damaged, light bulbs in stalls or tack rooms replaced, etc. Damage to the stall that could harm the horse shall be repaired immediately. Members must notify the Building and Grounds committee of any condition requiring Club action.

D. Missing or inoperable stall windows. Each outside stall shall be provided with a stall window that can be closed in inclement weather. ETRC will provide the initial stall window with the stall lessee providing any subsequent window required due to damage done by horse. This window must be closed when directed to do so by a representative of the Building and Grounds committee or a Board of Directors member. This is necessary to prevent water pipes from breaking due to freezing temperatures. If required, windows should be equipped with locking devices such as bolts or latches. Plexiglas or wooden panes are acceptable.

7. Do not tie horses up in the hallway or on the wash rack and leave unattended. Do not tie horses to a water line or an electrical conduit due to safety hazards. Also, do not tie horse up outdoors to a fence, tree or other apparatus and leave horse unattended. Horses which are spooked can become very dangerous to themselves, others, and/or property and cause possible injury to themselves such as a broken neck or limb if unable to get away from real or perceived danger.

8. Sweep and dispose of nails and hoof clippings after farrier. Nails are dangerous to both animal and human if stepped on.

9. Do not ride horses inside, into or out of the barn. The rider could sustain a head injury if horse rears.

10. Stallions shall be in the control of an adult at all times, except when in a stall or a designated stallion turnout paddock. Mares and geldings are not allowed to be turned out in the stallion paddock. Individuals under 18 must have permission from the board of directors prior to handling stallions.

11. It is recommended that horses not be taken across the concrete pad containing the bleachers. This pad is intended for humans and can be dangerous if a horse is spooked or becomes out of control while walking across the pad. Individuals leading horses across this pad are doing so at their own risk.

12. Overnight visiting horses: Members may bring in a visiting horse for overnight stays with the following stipulations: A) Board vote and approval is required for each horse and for each visit. B) Any horse brought onto ETRC property must have proof of a negative Coggins dated within the last 12 months. C) No visiting horse may stay for a period longer than 48 hours. D) Stall space for the horse is not included. The owner or person responsible for the horse must make arrangements for safe housing of the horse in case inclement weather or other conditions make it inadvisable for the horse to be left outside. E) Paddock(s) used for a visiting horse should be coordinated with the board, and/or building and grounds chairman, and/or the barn manager, and/or the health and safety officer. {Rule approved July 27, 2006}

13. The number of horses any one person can have in the barn is two. {January 2005}

14. Short Term Visits: Horse could be brought into the paddocks for a period of 48 hours. Proper paperwork (negative coggins and shot record) must be given to a board member before the horse is removed from the trailer. {July 27,2006}

Fire Protection Safety Issues:

1. No open burning shall be permitted within 300 feet of the barn.

2. No open flame heating devices shall be permitted within any barn area.

3. Smoking is prohibited within any barn area. Proper warning signs shall be posted.

4. Hay shall not be stored within aisles.

5. The storage of flammable and combustible liquids, except those used for medicinal purposes, shall be prohibited within any barn area. A separate storage area shall be established.

6. Fire extinguishers shall be provided. Such extinguishers shall have a minimum 2A rating and shall not be more than a 75 foot travel distance from any point within the barn.

7. Trash containers within the barn shall be constructed of metal with tight fitting metal lids.

8. Not more than one continuous extension cord shall be used to connect one appliance to the fixed receptacle. Extension cords shall be used only on a temporary (immediate) basis.

9. Extension cords shall not be supported by any metal object such as nails, screws, hooks, and pipes.

Note: Fire Protection Safety Issues listed are based on the recommendations in the National Fire Protection Association Standard 150, Standard on Fire Safety in Racetrack Stables, 1995 edition.

Health Issues:

1. General condition of horse: Horses must be treated humanely at all times. If a horse is injured or becomes ill when the owner is not present, every attempt must be made to notify the owner, but if the owner cannot be located, or the illness/injury is life-threatening, a veterinarian will be called at the owner's expense to begin treatment. If the name of your veterinarian is known, he/she will be called. If not, the University of Tennessee will be contacted. Moving a horse into the barn will be considered consent to this procedure.

2. Inadequate or unsanitary water bucket. A mature horse will drink 8 to 10 gallons of water on average per day and should be provided with such. All water buckets should be large enough to hold that amount of water. Water buckets should be fastened securely to the stall. Buckets should be accessible to the horse -- short horses need low buckets. Water buckets should be cleaned regularly, and scrubbed as needed.

3. Cobwebs are to be removed from within the barn including stalls, tack rooms, rest room storage areas and hallways. Cobwebs can present respiratory problems in some horses. Refer to Safety Issues note 4 for additional cobweb hazards.

4. Stalls must have soiled bedding (wet spots and manure) removed daily. Soiled bedding may be wet from water or urine. Water could come from moisture in the bedding as delivered, from spilled water buckets, or from urine allowed to accumulate. Wet bedding decomposes rapidly and generates heat. Accumulated urine heated by decomposition releases ammonia gas which is hazardous to the respiratory system of the horse confined to the stall and adjacent stalls. Manure in the stall may be broken up and dispersed by the movement of the horse. This dry manure may color the bedding without being detrimental, but bedding that is full of manure or packed hard is not adequate for the comfort of the horse.

5. Sweep hallways in front of and adjacent to your assigned stalls and tack rooms daily. (Dust and dirt in a barn can cause respiratory problems in horses, especially those with allergies and other respiratory ailments.)

6. Provide adequate food everyday. Horses displaying signs of malnutrition shall have a vet called at the expense of the owner.

7. Horses shall be wormed on a regular schedule according to the directions of the worming medicine being used. A vet shall be called for an exam (at the expense of the owner) for any horse displaying signs of intestinal worms or if the board of directors has doubts as to whether or not a horse is on a regular worming schedule. If a horse is found to be to infected with worms, the infected horse shall be confined to his/her stall until the situation is remedied. This requirement is for the health of other horses at stabled ETRC.

8. Horses shall be provided with regular grooming and hoof care to inspect for disease, infection or injury.

Last updated February 2010.