EMERGENCY PROTOCOL FOR HUNTING 

August 20, 2023

Rider emergency

  1. The membership application and membership renewal forms’ emergency contact and horse contact fields will be used to create a spreadsheet of member information that will be kept in the road whip’s car in a sealed envelope. Additionally, masters will have an electronic copy of this spreadsheet saved on their phones. The master in charge of cappers will give the cappers’ information to the road whip before each hunt.
  2. OVH has a defibrillator that is normally in the clubhouse, but will also be taken to the hunts by Michele LeBoldus. Masters will call Michele by radio if the defibrillator is needed
  3. Masters and fieldmasters are to take action if there is an emergency during a hunt. If a master or fieldmaster is not available (e.g., because the injured rider was separated from the field), then any field member with a phone must act. 
    1. If a fall occurs, the field members are to yell “Member down” and the field is to stop so that the fieldmaster can address the situation. The fieldmaster will perform a scene survey, guided by first responder and concussion protocols, such as those provided by St. John Ambulance and the Ontario Equestrian Federation. Presuming the fallen rider is conscious, the fieldmaster will first request their consent to approach/intervene. Based on the scene survey, which includes a discussion with the rider, the fieldmaster will determine whether:
      1. The rider can remount and continue the hunt. This will require the rider’s certification (witnessed by another field member) that they are fit to do so.
      2. The rider should retire but is able to remount as a means of returning to the trailers. As above, this will require the rider’s certification (witnessed by another field member) that they are uninjured enough to remount. The fieldmaster will appoint an experienced field member to accompany the rider back to the trailers
      3. It would be unsafe for the rider to remount. The fieldmaster will decide whether to contact the road whip to pick up the rider, if they can be moved, or, if not, to observe the provisions for life-threatening emergencies detailed in Section 4 below. The fieldmaster will identify an appropriate escort to take the retiring rider’s horse back to the meet or their barn. 
    2. More than one fall during a hunt is grounds for automatic retirement of the rider.
    3. Masters must log all such incidents for MFHA and contact the rider later in the day or the next day to ensure that all is well.  
    4. If it is a life-threatening emergency requiring emergency services, the master or fieldmaster (or field member if a master is not present) will use their cell phone to call 911. All fieldmasters should have the what3words app installed on their phone and know how to drop a pin in Google Maps so that they can accurately communicate the location to emergency services. The master or fieldmaster or field member may administer first aid if advised by emergency services while waiting for the emergency services. When it is possible to do so, they will contact the hunt staff using their radio and brief them on the situation. The hunt will continue
    5. In terms of concussions, the OVH masters, staff and fieldmasters are trained in the red flag symptoms, observable signs and general concussion symptoms. It is recommended that the membership as well as their emergency contacts read Ontario Equestrian’s Concussion Policy & Return to Play Guidelines. If red flag symptoms are observed, 911 will be called immediately. If observable signs or general concussion signs are observed, the rider’s emergency contact will be called and the rider will be referred to seek a medical professional diagnosis and will be suspended from participating in hunting activities until given clearance from a medical professional.
    6. If a fieldmaster has to retire for any reason, e.g., their horse is lame, or has lost a shoe, he or she will notify a master or delegate. If there is no suitable delegate, two fields may be merged. The retiring fieldmaster will pass their radio on to the replacement fieldmaster.

Horse emergency

  1. If the horse is not seriously hurt but can not continue to hunt, the fieldmaster will assign somebody to take the horse/rider back to the trailers and notify other masters/staff of the situation.
  2. If the horse can not or should not walk to the trailers but doesn't require immediate vet care, masters will ask the road whip to fetch the rider’s trailer. For these situations, please leave your keys in the truck or on top of the driver’s side wheel.
  3. If the horse injury is serious, the rider will call their vet. If the location is out of the horse’s normal vet’s area or if the rider is unconscious, we will call Mississippi Mills (613-256-8000) or Dr. Ted Thomas (613-266-5589).  

Hound emergency

  1. If a hound gets kicked, it is the field member’s responsibility to report the kick to the fieldmaster who will let the huntsman and whips know. It is important to know when this happens so that the hounds get examined extra well for broken bones, etc.
  2. If a hound gets injured, the whips, huntsman or fieldmaster uses their radio to alert the road whip who will take the injured hound. The road whip may transport the injured hound to the kennels and administer first aid. Alternatively, they may transport the hound to the vet or, in an emergency situation, call the vet to come to the scene of the accident.