For this month’s safety notice, we are focusing on animal awareness. Please read our animal awareness notice thoroughly.
Chickens and pigs
Please do not touch the chickens or pigs.
The chickens and pigs must only be fed what our animal handlers provide. We must adhere to DEFRA guidelines with what they eat.
Please do not enter their housing areas – including the grass area between the chickens and Jerushah. This is especially important with the chickens, as we are still under bio-security measures related to avian flu.
Horses
Hand feeding of the horse (Danny) and pony (Charlie) is not allowed.
Please do not encourage them up to the fence for treats. If this becomes a habit, they will approach visitors with the expectation of food and this is when visitors can get bitten.
If you wish to treat the animals, the food item needs to be passed to the handlers – acceptable treats are apples, carrots and parsnips.
Talks regarding the horses and other animals are available but please be aware this may not be all the time. Ask the handlers first before promising anything to a group.
When around or approaching Danny and Charlie, do so in a slow, calm way with low body posture. Do not shout, scream or use a loud voice near them.
If involved in street theatre of any kind, please be mindful of the animals. Don’t wave your arms or any props or sticks (including walking sticks). Don’t jump about in front of them – this is unpredictable.
Don’t slap the horses’ bodies. Gentle pats are fine if you wish to say hello, especially when they are in harness (pulling carts). Approach them at the neck, not the face.
Keep clear of the cart wheels and horses’ feet.
The horses will rest when in the cart. They may be wearing blinkers and ear muffs. Don’t assume they saw or heard you approaching.
Do not hold the reins – unless a handler tells you to do so in an emergency situation.
If there is an emergency situation, follow the instructions of the handlers. Do not panic.
Be aware that the handlers are risk assessing all the time and will take the course of action best for the animals.
Don’t take the horses or their responses for granted – they may respond differently to the same thing on different occasions.
Above all, respect the animals and the jobs they are doing. If you are unsure if something you are about to do will affect them, ask the handlers.
If you have any comments or questions, please contact your Line Manager.
Thank you.
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