2016 Field Test Standards

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Albert Hardy
5 years ago
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1 Field Test Standards This standard replaces a part of current (2014) Core Standard A32. Along with FTS 2,3,4 below it creates a set of standards addressing helmet use for multiple EAAT activities. It separates the helmet requirement for volunteers and personnel and adds acceptance of international equivalent helmets. If it passes, It will be placed in the Core Administrative Section of the Standards Manual. *FTS1 MANDATORY: Does the center have an implemented written policy that all volunteers and personnel wear a helmet certified by the American Society for Testing and Materials - Safety Equipment Institute (ASTM-SEI) or an international equivalent helmet for equestrian use while mounted, driving or vaulting? Interpretation: This standard applies to personnel and volunteers while engaged in mounted, driving or vaulting in center activities. It is the center s responsibility to verify currency of ASTM-SEI or international equivalent approved protective equestrian helmets. Information can be verified by contacting SEI at (headgear, equestrian helmet). Helmets should fit snugly and have the harness strap adjusted correctly. Helmets should not interfere with the individual s vision. Compliance Demonstration: Visitor observation of WRITTEN policy, verification of ASTM-SEI or international equivalent tags in randomly selected helmets and personnel interview. 115

2 This standard replaces the current (2014) Core Standard A32. It adds acceptance of international equivalent helmets and separates the Mounted Activity helmet requirement. If it passes it will be placed in the Mounted Activity section of the manual. *FTS2 MANDATORY Do all participants wear a helmet certified by the American Society for Testing and Materials - Safety Equipment Institute (ASTM-SEI) or an international equivalent helmet for equestrian use while participating in a mounted activity? If a helmet that Is not ASTM-SEI or international equivalent approved for equestrian use is worn for mounted activities, is there WRITTEN documentation meeting the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International Guidelines for Alternative Helmet Use? Interpretation: This standard applies to all participants engaged in center maunted activities. It is the center s responsibility to verify currency of ASTM-SEI or international equivalent approved protective equestrian helmets. Information can be verified by contacting SEI at (headgear, equestrian helmet). Helmets should fit snugly and have the harness strap adjusted correctly. Helmets should not interfere with the participant s vision. It is recommended that participants also wear helmets during groundwork conducted with or near equines (e.g., grooming, tacking and leading). Helmets not approved for equestrian use must have written documentation that meets the Guidelines for Alternative Helmet Use found in the Guideline section of this manual. Compliance Demonstration: Visitor observation of center mounted activities, verification of ASTM- SEI or International equivalent tags in randomly selected helmets, WRITTEN documentation for all individuals using alternative helmets in mounted activities, personnel interview. 116

3 This standard replaces the current (2014) Core Standard A32. It adds acceptance of international equivalent helmets and separates the Mounted Activity helmet requirement. If it passes it will be placed in the Driving Activity section of the manual. *FTS3 MANDATORY Do all participants wear a helmet certified by the American Society for Testing and Materials - Safety Equipment Institute (ASTM-SEI) or an International equivalent helmet for equestrian use while participating in a driving activity? Interpretation: This standard applies to all participants engaged in center driving activities. It is the center s responsibility to verify currency of ASTM-SEI or international equivalent approved protective equestrian helmets. Information can be verified by cantacting SEI at (headgear, equestrian helmet). Helmets should fit snugly and have the harness strap adjusted correctly. Helmets should not interfere with the participant s vision. It is recommended that participants also wear helmets during groundwork conducted with or near equines (e.g. grooming, tacking/harnessing, leading, and ground driving.) Compliance Demonstration: Visitor observation of center driving activities, verification of ASTM- SEI or international equivalent tags in randomly selected helmets, and personnel Interview. 117

4 This standard replaces a part of current (2014) Core Standard A32. It adds acceptance of international equivalent helmets and separates the Mounted Activity helmet requirement. If it passes it will be placed in the Vaulting Activity section of the manual. *FTS 4 MANDATORY Do all participants wear a helmet certified by the American Society for Testing and Materials - Safety Equipment Institute (ASTM-SEI) or an international equivalent helmet for equestrian use while participating in interactive vaulting activities? If a participant is not using an ASTM-SEI or international equivalent equestrian helmet while participating in interactive vaulting activities is there written documentation meeting the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International, Guidelines for n-use of Helmets In Interactive Vaulting? Interpretation: This standard applies to all participants engaged in center interactive vaulting activities. Helmets should fit snugly and have the harness strap adjusted correctly. Helmets should not interfere with the participant s vision. Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International Standards include mandatory standards for use of ASTM-SEI or international equivalent recognized safety helmets for equestrian use while mounted or driving. There has been some evidence that the use of helmets in higher level vaulting activities may be a safety concern. If a vaulter or a vaulting program is at the level of providing sport vaulting, then it is recommended that the program pursue sanctioning by a sport vaulting organization. However, there are some participants in interactive vaulting who might be at a higher skill level that might offer them opportunities to participate in higher level vaulting activities but are not yet ready for a sport vaulting program. It may be safer for these vaulters not to wear a helmet (as long as allowed by local laws). However, WRITTEN documentation for such a decision is necessary and must answer all the questions posed in the Guidelines for n-use of Helmets in Interactive Vaulting. It is recommended that participants wear helmets during groundwork conducted with or near equines (e.g., grooming, tacking, leading, lunging). Compliance Demonstration: Visitor observation of center interactive vaulting activities, verification of ASTM-SEI or International equivalent tags in randomly selected helmets, WRITTEN documentation for all individuals not using helmets in Interactive Vaulting activities, and personnel interview. 118

5 This standard concerns the minimum safe age for participants in equine-assisted activities and follows the age recommendations found in the Precautions and Contraindications section of the Standards Manual. This standard was proposed by the Health and Ed committee to emphasize the need to closely evaluate young participants before placing them on an equine. This standard was voted on in July 2015, however after the vote it was pointed out the previous explanation stated it would be in field test for 2 years and it had only been in for 1 year. The Strategic Initiative Review Committee (SIRC) voted to place it back in field test for additional comments. FTS 5 DNA: (Does t Apply): If the mounted, driving and/or interactive vaulting activity occurs under the direct supervision of a licensed medical provider trained in hippotherapy. Does the center have a written and implemented policy that all participants must be at least four (4) years of age or older to engage in mounted, driving and/or interactive vaulting activities? DNA Interpretation: Children under two years are inappropriate for mounted, driving and interactive vaulting activities because their structural and neurologic development is inadequate to organize the sensory input from the equine or to accommodate its movement. While the fontanel is still open, a child is exposed to the same risk as a child with a cranial defect. Infants and young children often do not have adequate head control to wear a helmet and helmet fit may be a problem. There is research to indicate that, because of the immaturity of the young spine, repeated stress such as bobbing of the child s head while on the equine at a walk may lead to micro trauma of the cervical spine. A quick movement of the equine, even a small misstep, carries the risk of a whiplash-type effect for the young child with poorly developed head control. The child without developmental delay will not display mature gait patterns with respect to pelvic movement until the age of three. Working with the equine to influence the child s gait prior to this age may not be appropriate unless administered by a licensed therapist trained to use hippotherapy as a treatment strategy. Sitting astride an equine for a small child has the potential to stress the hip joints, potentially causing dislocation at the hip. Additionally, children with developmental delay may have a younger developmental age than their chronological age which may impact safety. Safety awareness is always a precaution for people with cognitive delays. Always use caution when determining the readiness of a young child to safely benefit from equine-assisted activities. Compliance Demonstration: Visitor observation of WRITTEN policy and observation of mounted, driving and/or interactive vaulting activities, including interview of center personnel. 119

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Compliance Demonstration: Visitor observation of WRITTEN documentation of current certification and observation of the mounted activity session.

Compliance Demonstration: Visitor observation of WRITTEN documentation of current certification and observation of the mounted activity session. Mounted Standards Additional standards that may apply to mounted activities may be found in the Core, Equestrian Skills (EKS), or Medical mental health (MMH) sections. *MA1 MANDATORY Is there written evidence