Question 1: What are the most common safety and risk management gaps you see in horse operations today?
Randi Thompson sees a pattern where accidents are rarely the result of a single mistake. "Many people assume that accidents happen because someone made one significant mistake. In my experience, they are often the result of several smaller gaps that develop over time." She explains that expectations may never have been clearly communicated, responsibilities may have been assumed rather than confirmed, and small concerns may never have been recognized as part of a developing pattern.
The biggest opportunity she identifies is helping horse professionals move from reacting to individual situations toward building management systems that encourage consistent communication, documentation, follow-through, and thoughtful decision-making. "Those systems not only improve safety, they also improve the overall experience for horses, clients, staff, and visitors."
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Question 2: How can horse professionals improve their documentation and communication practices to reduce liability?
Thompson emphasizes that good documentation is not about expecting a lawsuit. "It is about preserving important information while it is still fresh and accurate." She recommends simple improvements that can make a significant difference: clearly communicating expectations, documenting important conversations, recording follow-up actions, and maintaining continuity over time.
"Many concerns can be resolved early through thoughtful communication," she notes. When documentation becomes part of everyday operations instead of something that only happens after a problem, horse professionals are often better prepared to recognize patterns, support good decision-making, and demonstrate consistent management practices.
Question 3: What should someone look for when choosing an equine expert witness for a legal case?
According to Thompson, an equine expert witness should bring more than years of experience with horses. "They should also understand industry standards, management practices, risk management, and how horse operations actually function on a daily basis." Equally important is the ability to explain complex equine concepts clearly and objectively. "Courts, attorneys, juries, and insurance professionals often do not have an equine background. An effective expert helps translate industry practices into language that is understandable, while remaining independent, objective, and grounded in the facts of the case."
Question 4: How does the Equine Safety and Success Guide help horse operations build safer, more consistent practices?
Thompson founded the Equine Safety and Success Network (ESSN) to develop the Equine Safety and Success Guide (ESSG), a practical, step-by-step decision-support system. "Rather than prescribing one way to manage a facility, it provides practical frameworks, communication tools, documentation systems, and implementation processes that horse professionals can adapt to fit their own operations."
The Guide is being developed through a free Pilot Program where horse professionals share ideas, discuss real-world situations, personalize resources, and help refine each toolkit before it is finalized. "That collaborative process ensures the Guide is grounded in real-world experience while remaining flexible enough to support a wide variety of horse operations."
Question 5: What trends are you seeing in equine safety standards and liability that operators should be aware of?
Thompson observes that the industry is placing greater emphasis on proactive management rather than simply reacting after an incident occurs. "Horse professionals are recognizing that communication, documentation, consistency, and thoughtful management are all important parts of reducing risk." She also sees growing recognition that safety is not created by a single rule, waiver, or form. "It develops through hundreds of everyday management decisions that shape how people communicate, supervise activities, respond to concerns, and maintain continuity over time."
As horse operations continue to evolve, Thompson believes the greatest opportunities will come from building practical systems that support awareness, consistency, and continuous improvement rather than relying solely on experience or tradition. For more on industry standards, resources like the Certified Horsemanship Association's safety guidelines and US Equestrian's helmet safety information provide additional context for operators looking to strengthen their protocols.