22/08/2026
🔥 Fire prevention 🔥
Remember RING 999. None of this advice is intended to turn you into a firefighter! However prevention is the best cure and being able to limit small fires before they spread (if safe to do so) is vital. The best outcome is not having a fire in the first place!
🔥 Risk assess - All yards (public and private) should complete a risk assessment. If there are more than five staff or there are minors on the premises then the assessment must be written down. There should be an evacuation plan for people and horses, which should be known to all members of staff and practiced regularly.
🔥 Flammable substances - stable yards are full of highly flammable substances such as hay and straw. It is sensible to make sure these are stored in a separate building down wind and at a distance to the stable yard.
🔥 Have a clear no-smoking policy!
🔥 Electrical ignition is also common. Appliances should be PAT-tested. Beware of socket adapters and extension cables – do you run 3 or 4 appliances from one plug? Fit communal areas and tack rooms with smoke detectors and make sure these work.
🔥 Don't keep your lorry in your hay/straw shed.
🔥 Having a clean and tidy yard with clear unobstructed exits for horses and people is vital.
🔥 Hose reels are very handy fire-fighting devices – make sure these are spread around the yard and are functional. No stable should be more than 25m from a fire extinguisher – make sure yours are the right sort and are regularly serviced.
🔥 Signage – You might know where your yard is but the fire brigade may need to find it in an emergency. Have a sign on the yard with the postcode and What3words or OS grid-reference.
🔥 Access – Are there overhanging branches which will prevent access? Are your gateways wide enough?
🔥 Evacuating animals (only when safe to do so!) - All animals should be evacuated upwind, ideally to a safe field with a secure gate. All horses should be removed with a headcollar – keep these hung in a handy spot. It is not unknown for horses to run back into a fire to get to their stable. Does your plan work in the dark: you may have no electricity or lighting?