Horse riding and equestrian

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Guideline review date: 24 September 2025

This guideline is provided to support schools in implementing the managing risks in school curriculum activities procedure.

The CARA planner (DOCX, 232KB) must be used for the specific school context in conjunction with this guideline considering additional risks, hazards and controls and including environmental, facility, equipment and student considerations.

For activities beyond the scope of this guideline, complete a CARA record using the CARA generic template (DOCX, 98KB).

Activity scope

This guideline demonstrates the minimum safety standard for student participation in horse riding, including equestrian and trail riding, as an activity to support curriculum delivery.

The Department of Education is committed to ensuring that curriculum activities are planned for and managed in accordance with the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld), to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the safety of students, staff and others.

Trail riding involves organised recreational horse-back riding that can be short (an hour) or long (multi-day) rides. It may occur in diverse environments where the participants are led as a group outside of enclosed areas in the natural environment.

Depending on the scope of this activity, other risk assessments may be required when planning. Curriculum activities encompassing more than 1 CARA guideline (e.g. animal observation and handling guideline while camping) must comply with the requirements of all CARA guidelines appropriate to the activity.

Note: This activity does not include activities involving rodeo, driving, vaulting, reining, riding for the disabled activities or working with stock animals (e.g. mustering, Western riding, team penning, cutting, roping) as part of a curriculum activity. A separate risk assessment should be undertaken, for example, CARA generic template (DOCX, 98KB), agricultural activities (stockyards) guideline for these activities.

For activities conducted at a non-Department of Education venue, and/or when engaging external expertise, request written risk assessment advice and attach it to this CARA record.

For activities conducted off-site, schools must comply with the school excursions procedure.

Risk level

High risk
Horse riding and equestrian activities undertaken at a recognised riding school with hired horses and equipment from a horse-hire service and/or with student-provided horse and equipment.

Activity requirements

If any requirement cannot be met, the activity must not occur.

A registered teacher must be appointed to maintain overall responsibility for the activity.

Teachers, in collaboration with other adult supervisors of the planned activity, determine additional risks, hazards and control measures relevant to the activity and the specific school/group circumstances in order to lift the safety standard above the minimum identified in the CARA guideline.

Consult review comments from previous CARA records to improve safety standards based on the advice from the previous supervisors of the activity at the school.

Prior consultation and collaboration with local expertise (e.g. venue manager) is required for local advice, emergency support mechanisms and additional supervision requirements to ensure participant and public safety.

Reference to the Safe Work Australia—guide to managing risks when new and inexperienced persons interact with horses (PDF, 2.9MB) and the horse riding schools, trail riding establishments and horse riding establishments code of practice 2002 (PDF, 631KB) is required when planning this activity.

Reference to Australian Adventure Activity Standard, horse trail riding Australian Adventure Activity good practice guide (PDF, 577KB), animals in Queensland state schools procedure (PDF, 466KB) and livestock welfare and management (PDF, 412KB) legislation is required when planning this activity.

Reference to the Queensland Government website and Equestrian Queensland is required for duty of animal care information and whether approvals or permits are required for the activity (e.g. horse registration and movement records when appropriate).

Appropriate handling and protective measures (e.g. ensure horses vaccinated) relevant to the route of transmission of potential zoonoses as outlined in Appendix 1 of animal contact guidelines (PDF, 1.8MB) must be implemented.

Prior consultation is required with local authority (e.g. Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation—track closures and relevant permits for access to trails, and Queensland Fire Department) for local advice, emergency support mechanisms and additional supervision requirements to ensure participant and public safety.

Permission/permits are required to be obtained from land managers (e.g. Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation—permits and fees, local councils or private landholders), if applicable.

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Students

Emergency and first-aid

Induction and instruction

Consent

Supervision

Principals, in consultation with the qualified adults, make final supervision decisions for the activity that considers the local context.

Appropriate adult supervision must be provided to manage the activity safely (i.e. prevent an incident from occurring and manage an incident if one were to occur, including managing emergency situations). The principal must give active consideration to the minimum standards set in the CARA guideline for the activity, the CARA planner and the risk assessment when determining the appropriate level of supervision.

See number of adult supervisors below.

Participants must adhere to all rules and advice communicated by the facility operator/owner and any safety signage at the facility/location.

Before the activity, all adult supervisors:

must be familiar with the contents of the CARA record, including the emergency and supervision plans.

During the activity, all adult supervisors:

must provide active and direct supervision—be constantly vigilant, attentive and rescue ready
must comply with control measures from the CARA record and adapt as hazards arise
must not rely on students to recover a person in difficulty at any time
must ensure inexperienced children are led 1 rider at a time by a qualified supervisor on a lead rope (either riding a horse or on foot). This adult supervisor cannot be included in the ratios for the supervision of the ride.

The activity must be suspended if the conditions become unfavourable (e.g. poor visibility, extreme temperatures, thunderstorms).

Number of adult supervisors

Principals, in consultation with the qualified adults of the activity, determine the final number of supervisors to fulfil instructional, emergency and supervision roles for the local context that consider horse trail riding Australian adventure activity good practice guide (PDF, 577KB) and Safe Work Australia guide to managing risks when new and inexperienced persons interact with horses, the nature of the activity, students' ages, abilities and specialised learning, access and/or health needs. In some instances, the final supervision ratio may be 1:1.

If the minimum safety standard cannot be met, modify the activity (or elements of it) and use the hierarchy of controls to implement alternative control measures to meet or exceed the minimum safety standard (e.g. reduce the number of students participating at any one time).

See frequently asked questions (FAQs) for further support.

Supervisor qualifications

Qualifications support the minimum safety standard for this activity. Principals make final decisions* in determining supervisor capability (competence, relevance and currency) and whether the activity leader meets an appropriate teaching standard.

*See FAQs for further support.

All adult supervisors must comply with the working with children authority—blue cards procedure.

Qualified adults for the activity

Recovery/emergency—CPR, first aid, rescue

An adult with current emergency qualifications is required to be quickly accessible to the activity area.

Supervisors must have CPR and first aid qualifications relevant to the activity. Emergency qualifications may include:

An adult with concussion management knowledge or training is required. Consult concussion in sport resources.

High risk activities

At least 1 adult supervisor is:

a registered teacher, or an adult supervisor working under the direct supervision of a registered teacher, with demonstrated competence (knowledge and skills) either in
- teaching horse riding activities and the potential hazards with a statement of attainment covering relevant horse riding activities from the Sport, Fitness and Recreation Training Package or similar. Refer to the competencies outlined in the horse trail riding Australian adventure activity good practice guide (PDF, 577KB) for guidance
- implementing the Safe Work Australia Guide to managing risks when new and inexperienced persons interact with horses (PDF, 2.9MB) and have demonstrated experience in horse riding instruction to an appropriate and adequate standard.

See FAQs for further support.

Facilities and equipment

The qualified adult supervisor of the activity, in consultation with the principal, determines the requirements for facilities and equipment appropriate to the local context.

Location must be suitable for the activity being undertaken to ensure safe participation and that safety rules and procedures can be followed. Ensure environments are suited to the experience of all riders (e.g. arena riding surface is level and well drained and trail riding terrain is suitable). Consider the rider ability, resources, services and facilities when choosing a trail (e.g. campsites, drinking water, toilets and shelter from extreme weather). Undertake a reconnaissance of new or infrequently used locations to ascertain suitability.

All horses must be inspected by a competent adult supervisor before commencing the activity. The adult supervisor must be satisfied the horse complies with Safe Work Australia—guide to managing risks when new and inexperienced persons interact with horses (fit for purpose horse) (PDF, 2.9MB).

Participants must wear personal protective equipment as relevant (e.g. enclosed footwear that stops the foot sliding forward through the stirrup iron and allows easy removal in case of emergency, for example, a solid raised heel with smooth soles or only lightly indented tread; helmets; full-length trousers; sleeved shirts; and back protection, if relevant).

All equipment (e.g. helmets, footwear) must comply with the current Australian Standard (or an equivalent American, British or European standard) and be properly secured and fitted.

A process for checking for damage for all equipment used in the activity must be established and employed (e.g. no cracks, splits or worn stitching on saddles/bridles, appropriately sized breakaway stirrup irons).

A maintenance schedule (e.g. checking for damage, repairing) must be established and enacted for all equipment used in the activity (e.g. helmets, reins, saddles).

A retirement schedule must be developed to replace equipment by manufacturers' nominated expiry date or when significant wear causes a hazard.

Ensure separate, designated areas for spectators and horses are available.

Access must be available for emergency vehicles.

Common hazards and controls

Further to those listed, include any additional hazards and control measures considering the local context of the activity.

Environmental hazards	Control measures
Animal bites/stings Stings, poisoning, infections	Follow hand hygiene practices established in the infection control guideline (PDF, 630KB) after working in and around animal environments and after handling animals. Adhere to established practices regarding the use of insect repellent, outlined in insect viruses and allergies
Environmental conditions Weather, surfaces, surrounds	Assess weather conditions prior to undertaking the activity, inspecting the intended location in order to identify variable risks, hazards and potential dangers. Follow the school's sun safety policy, including appropriate clothing (e.g. long sleeved shirts, jeans), sun protection (e.g. sunscreen) and shade facilities when outside. Avoid riding on roadways or other traffic areas. Obey road rules, keep left and only 2 riders riding side-by-side. Follow the managing excessive heat in schools guidelines when participating in very hot or extreme heat conditions
Facilities and equipment hazards	Control measures
Activity location	Location must be suitable for the activity being undertaken to ensure safe participation and that safety rules and procedures can be followed. Undertake a reconnaissance of new or infrequently used venues to ascertain suitability
Faulty or dangerous equipment	Conduct a girth check before mounting and again 15 minutes after mounting to ensure the saddle is not slipping
Heights Falls from heights	Supervise mounting and dismounting in a safe area. Horses must be untethered when mounting and dismounting. Consider use of mounting block
Student considerations	Control measures
Epilepsy	Record information about any student condition (e.g. physical or medical, such as epilepsy)
Q Fever	Be alert to zoonosis—diseases that can pass from animals to humans (e.g. Q fever)
Injury	Students aware of the location of emergency and first-aid equipment
Physical exertion Exhaustion and fatigue	Continuously monitor students and horses for signs of fatigue, illness, hunger, dehydration and slow progress during trail rides to avoid situations becoming serious. Ensure drink breaks occur regularly. Make water available for individual participants between drink breaks
Student issues Student numbers, special needs, high risk behaviours, medical conditions, separation from the group	Adopt system of signals to clearly communicate the need for assistance if in difficulty. Check riders' ability to start, stop and turn a horse prior to trail ride departure. Match the horse to rider ability and the task expected of it. Match the riding pace to the skills of the least experienced rider and/or behaviour of horses. Lead inexperienced riders on a lead rope by qualified supervisor when trail riding. Ensure safe distances are maintained between horses when riding. Ensure students dismount under supervision following an established protocol (e.g. at a safe distance of other horses, toward the inside of the area away from fences, not onto a freestanding mounting block). Ensure an adult supervisor accompanies students in horse enclosures. Limit the number of students in the enclosure at any one time. Remove accessories (e.g. jewellery, lanyards) before participating. Ensure fingernails, hair and clothing do not interfere with the activity. Implement procedures (e.g. buddy system, roll marking mechanisms) to account for all participants before, during and after the activity
Visibility	Ensure staff can easily recognise those students with health support needs and are familiar with their needs

Additional links

Disclaimer

This information is developed and distributed on this website by the State of Queensland for use by Queensland state schools only.

Use or adaptation of, or reliance on, this information by persons or organisations other than the State of Queensland is at their sole risk. All users who use, adapt or rely on this information are responsible for ensuring by independent verification its accuracy, currency and appropriateness to their particular circumstances. The State of Queensland makes no representations, either express or implied, as to the suitability of this information to a user's particular circumstances.

To the full extent permitted by law, the State of Queensland disclaims all responsibility and liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages and costs arising from the use or adaptation of, or reliance on, this information.

Links to external websites are for convenience only and the State of Queensland has not independently verified the information on the linked websites. It is the responsibility of users to make their own decisions about the accuracy, currency, reliability and correctness of the information at these external websites.

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