Horse care tips

When clipping, wear a hat and sturdy footwear, work on non-slip flooring, keep the cable out of the way, and use a circuit breaker on corded clippers.

Make sure stable lights and switches are in safety covers and out of horses' reach, with no exposed wires to chew.

Find out the dates and times of local fireworks displays, and tell neighbours you keep horses so they can warn you about private parties too.

Before fireworks season, check that fire extinguishers, sand and water are close to the stables, and that everyone knows the yard's fire drill.

Horse dewormers can make dogs very ill. Keep dogs away from syringes, and from the droppings of a treated horse for at least two weeks.

Never turn a horse out in stable bandages. They can easily slip and cause rubs or injuries.

Never use ordinary glass in stable windows. Use perspex or safety glass with a metal grille between it and the horse.

Stable doors should open outwards or slide, be at least 4 ft wide, and have both a top bolt and a kick bolt at the bottom.

Tie haynets at head height so they don't hang low when empty — a low net can trap a hoof.

Padlocking a field gate isn't enough if it can be lifted off its hinges. A second chain and padlock at the hinge end is a simple deterrent.

If you're away from the yard when your horse needs a vet, a what3words location can help the vet find you exactly.

Horses in pain can be unpredictable. When holding an injured or sick horse, wear a hat and gloves and keep to a safe area.

Keep a record of yard visitors and their contact details. In a disease outbreak, you'll know who to contact.

Supervise your horse the first time it uses a rolling treat or hay ball, and make sure it can't roll under a fence or door out of reach.

Keep a supply of sand ready for icy paths and yards before the first frost.

Before hosing a horse down on a hot day, run the hose first. Water sitting in a hose in the sun can reach 60°C or more.

Using a fan in the stable? Place it — and its cable — where no horse can reach, and give horses time to get used to the noise.

Wear gloves and cover your arms and legs when pulling ragwort — it's harmful to people too. Wash any skin that touches it with warm, soapy water.

If a horse panics during fireworks, don't try to handle it. Remove sharp objects from its surroundings if you can, and keep yourself at a safe distance.

The morning after fireworks, check your horse for cuts and overreaches, and walk the whole field and water trough for spent fireworks.