6709.11_10
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FOREST SERVICE HANDBOOK
NORTHERN REGION (REGION 1)
MISSOULA, MT
FSH 6709.11 – HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 10 – TRAVEL
Supplement No.: 6709.11-2014-1
Effective Date: June 3, 2014
Duration: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
Approved: THOMAS A. SCHMIDT
Deputy Regional Forester
Date Approved: 05/21/2014
Posting Instructions: Supplements are numbered consecutively by Handbook number and
calendar year. Post by document; remove the entire document and replace it with this
supplement. Retain this transmittal as the first page(s) of this document. The last supplement to
this Handbook was 6709.11-2011-2, to chapter 10.
New Document
6709.11_10
4 Pages
Superseded Document(s) by
Issuance Number and
Effective Date
6709.11-2000-3 (08/17/2000)
6709.11-2011-2 (05/10/2011)
3 Pages
2 Pages
Digest:
16 – Revises and consolidates direction formerly in sections 16.4 and 16.5.
16.4 – Updates formatting and makes minor technical and editorial changes.
R1 SUPPLEMENT: 6709.11-2014-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 6/03/2014
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
6709.11_10
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FSH 6709.11 HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 10 – TRAVEL
16 – LIVESTOCK HANDLING
16.4 - Riding Livestock.
1. Training Requirements. Every employee (including volunteers, interns, SCSEP, youth
program participants, and so forth) who will ride or work around stock (horses or mules) shall be
required to have a hands-on Defensive Horse Safety Course (recommended 8 hour minimum).
The course will be taught by experienced stock handler(s) that may include agency employees,
volunteers, cooperators, or contractors. The course will include:
a. Horse handling (catching, haltering, hobbling, turning loose, saddling,
bridling, mounting and loading)
b. Understanding equine behavior, including accident potentials, being around
stock that is not familiar with each other, and how to be situationally aware
and proactive with changing circumstances.
c. Understanding unexpected hazards on the trail that may affect equine behavior
(including dogs, mountain bikes, hikers, goats, llamas, stinging insects,
debris).
d. Understanding “rules of the trail” when encountering other stock and/or pack
strings
e. Equipment (tack, trailers, proper clothing, what to take along, including extra
tack supplies, emergency farrier supplies, bug sprays)
f. Leading and Tying (including high line and hobbling)
g. Mounting and Dismounting (including arena, corral and trail settings)
h. Riding skills and hands-on practice
i. First aid on the trail for animals (including information on first aid supplies to
pack for a trip)
There may be situations when someone needs to ride only occasionally, who started after the
Defensive Horse Safety Course class was given, or was not able to attend. The line officer has
the discretion to approve their use of stock if an experienced rider gives them a safety briefing
and if the employee rides with an experienced rider until they are checked out on their
techniques, along with a signed risk assessment. All riders must take a refresher Defensive
Horse Safety Class (recommended 4 hours) once every 3 years. Additional training is
encouraged for packing skills and advanced horse handling for frequent riders. Training should
be documented.
R1 SUPPLEMENT: 6709.11-2014-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 6/03/2014
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
6709.11_10
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FSH 6709.11 HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 10 – TRAVEL
2. Risk Assessment. Proper clothing, equipment and PPE for riding and stock handling
shall be followed. If an employee wishes to have a riding helmet or protective head gear for
riding, helmets will be available to employees upon request or if required in the Risk
Assessment. Each forest may wish to review and supplement this list. Standards for proper tack
types, tack condition, tack inspection, and maintenance should also be set.
The forest should also have experienced stock handlers assess the physical condition, experience,
and behavior of all stock, prepare a stock management plan, evaluate which users should be
assigned to which animals, and determine if additional training of stock is needed. Anyone
hauling horses in horse trailers needs to be trained and licensed for trailer towing and be
experienced in stock loading and unloading.
16.5 – Other Livestock Handling Concerns
Northern Region stock inoculation, worming plan, and hoof care
Always consult with a local veterinarian about proper vaccinations and wormers, and about
proper brand names, doses, and techniques for administering. The following preventative
medications are required for all Northern Region government horses and mules.
1. Vaccinations. Follow label direction for initial vaccination, followed by a yearly
vaccination.
a. Once yearly vaccinations are required for the following:
(1) Eastern Encephalomyelitis
(2) Western Encephalomyelitis
(3) Rhinopneumonitis
(4) Influenza
(5) Tetanus Toxoid and
(6) West Nile Virus; or
(7) Five-Way and West Nile.
b. Strangles. Once per year anytime during the year, recommended in the spring.
Fort Dodge Brand or equivalent Streptococcus Equine Vaccine. This is a “live
culture” inter-nasal (this is safer and less chance of reaction or infection) or intramuscular vaccine and it should be administered by a veterinarian or using
instructions from a veterinarian. A two-dose initial vaccination is necessary,
followed by an annual booster.
c. Always consult a local veterinarian regarding additional vaccinations that may
be recommended in the unit’s particular area (such as Rabies).
R1 SUPPLEMENT: 6709.11-2014-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 6/03/2014
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
6709.11_10
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FSH 6709.11 HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 10 – TRAVEL
2. Dewormer. Deworming medicine should be administered at least twice a year, in the
fall and spring. It is highly recommended that all stock receive a third deworming in
mid-summer. Required medicines are Ivermectin 1.87% and Praziquantel.
j. Ivermectin 1.87%. Many generics exist in either paste or liquid form.
Ivermectin does not kill tapeworms. Tapeworm is not a significant problem in
all areas of the Northern Region, but can occasionally be a problem to
individual horses. It is recommended to worm for tapeworm ever year, but
every other year is a minimum.
k. Praziquantel is the ingredient that kills tapeworm. When warranted,
Praziquantel is normally administered as an additive to a dose of Ivermectin
1.87%.
3. Hoof Care. (During field operation season)
a. Hooves need to be trimmed and/or have shoes re-set every 7-8 weeks by Forest
Service employees if qualified or by a licensed farrier
b. Shoes need to be pulled and feet trimmed after the field season