Staying safe in equestrian environments

From lone working late at night, to early morning feeds and poor signal in rural areas, equestrian environments pose unique safety risks to be aware of.

The online conversation around personal safety can be toxic. Often women are blamed for not doing enough to protect themselves, which inevitably means not enough responsibility is put on the abusive personand their actions.

Always remember: It is the abusive person who is responsible for abuse. Never the victim–survivor.

At the same time, planning can help you feel more confident and prepared if you are alone at night in isolated locations. A 2024 survey commissioned by ITV News revealed that 81% of women aged 18-25 feel unsafe walking home in the dark.

This lines up with other data, which consistently shows women feel less safe after dark than men. A study by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows this disparity is most stark in wide, open spaces.[1]

Staying away from home

Equestrian environments are almost always wide and open spaces. We all know horses need round-the-clock care, meaning late checks and early feeds. When staying away at an event or show, lorry parks and stables at these times can feel unsettling in the absence of crowds, security and lights.

The “vulnerable window” is a term experts use to describe the time between leaving a venue in the evening and gettingback to your bed. This is when people are most exposed to harassment, beingfollowed, and physical and sexual assault.

The most common behaviours reported include inappropriate sexual jokes, crude comments, unwanted gestures, unsolicitedmessages, and unwanted physical touch.

Stables & lorry parks

Avoid headphones: Listening to music or podcasts can stop you from noticing your surroundings. Keeping at least one earphone out is recommended.
Share your location: Knowing someone you trust knows where you are can help you to feel safer.
Get a torch: A bright headtorch or tactical torch helps you see in unlit areas and saves your phone battery.
Go in pairs: Team up with a friend on-site for welfare checks and feeds or have someone ready to check on you if you don’t return within 15 minutes.
Get a personal alarm or whistle: Keep it handy, attached to a zip or in your pocket, so you can grab it quickly in an emergency.

Zero signal

Rural venues are notorious dead zones for mobileand internet service. Having an offline backup is a good idea:

Set a time-limit: Before going out alone, tell a friend to come and find you if you’re not back after aspecified time.
Use offline maps: Download a map of the grounds beforeyou get there or use What3Words, which works offline via GPS.
‍Stick to the main paths: Skip darkshortcuts and stick to the main tracks where other grooms or security mightpass you.

Campsite Safety

If you're staying in a tent rather than a horsebox,you might feel more exposed in a wide-open space. Here are some tips forfeeling more secure whilst camping:

Stick to the main paths: Skip darkshortcuts and stick to the main tracks where other grooms or security mightpass you.
‍Pitch your tent near others: Well-litareas, away from hedges and near other people are best.
‍Keep essentials nearby: Alwayskeep a torch and your personal safety alarm by your side when sleeping so youcan find them easily in an emergency.
‍Buddy up: Whenever possible, camp with agroup of friends so you can look out for each other.‍
Protect your privacy: Whenmeeting new people at the showground, don't disclose the exact location ofwhere you are sleeping.

Staying safe in bars and when drinking

It’s important to be aware ofthe symptoms of spiking and what to do if you or someone you know has beenspiked. Spiking is when someone deliberately gives another person alcohol ordrugs without their knowledge or consent. It is a crime that can face tough sentences.

"Ask for Angela"

“Ask for Angela” is a universal code used acrossthe hospitality industry. If you feel unsafe, go to the bar and ask the staff"is Angela working tonight?". It signals that you need discreet helpto exit, no questions asked. Venues might distract the person you are trying toavoid or discreetly book a taxi for you.

It’s often the people we know

When we talk about safety at stay-away showsand events, our minds automatically go to "stranger danger" in a darklorry park. But the hardest truth to face in our community is that the threatrarely comes from a stranger, often, it comes from people we already know.

The horse world is a tight-knit bubble andthere is often automatic trust between us. Predators are known to rely onfamiliarity to target victim-survivors. Just because someone is a talentedrider or a "nice guy" everyone knows, it doesn't mean you shouldignore your gut. If an interaction feels inappropriate or uncomfortable, trustyour instincts over their reputation. Read more about abuse of power dynamicsin the equestrian community here.

Be cautious of acquaintances offering you alift back to your lorry, inviting you to an isolated "after-party" wherethey are staying, or offering to help with late-night feeds when no one else isaround.

If someone crosses the line, tell a trustedfriend, document what happened, and report it to onsite security and EQUISS.

Fear can often preventvictim-survivors from setting a boundary or speaking out about what happened. Predatorsoften count on your fear of "causing a scene" or damaging yourcareer.

We know it can be difficult tospeak out because the equestrian community is so close-knit. You can talkthrough your options with EQUISS anonymously and confidentially, to understandif reporting is right for you.