Saddle Up SAFELY program overview

Saddle Up SAFELY will promote safe practices for those who ride or work around horses through a broad-based, multi-media educational campaign developed in partnership with community, state, and national organizations.  Plans for the five-year program include:

• A series of brochures, developed by UK equine experts, on safety practices and equine-related health issues for adults and children.

• Interactive Web site where riders from around the world can submit suggestions and lessons learned about safety.

• Continuing medical education for those who treat injured riders and workers, including physicians, nurses, first responders, pharmacists, emergency department staff, and healthcare instructors.

• Multi-media campaign:  Media partners including newspapers, Web sites, and magazines will feature ads promoting the safety messages and offering brochures and more information.  Expert columns on safety topics will also be featured.

• Education-based programs:  Video and print materials for educating riders of all ages will be developed.

• Volunteers available for making presentations to groups:  Saddle Up SAFELY has established an auxiliary group of experienced riders who are available to make presentations on safety issues to your organization, using materials approved by experts.  To schedule a speaker from Saddle Up SAFELY, please call  (859) 323-5508.  (Speakers available at no cost in the Central Kentucky region; for other locales, host organization will need to provide travel expenses.)

• Educated visitors to the 2010 World Equestrian Games:  As the exclusive medical provider for the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky, UK HealthCare had a prominent exhibit at the games and distributed Saddle Up SAFELY information to thousands of attendees and participants.