The newly established code, which focuses on safe practices for new and inexperienced riders, was announced December last year at Tamworth into effect in February.

“While we are good at a lot of things, horses aren’t one of them,” SafeWork Central North manager John Ringland said.

“We have no expertise in the horse industry, which is why we are partnering with the best in the business to learn from them.

“After this, we will go back and run workshops with our local businesses to answer any questions they might have about this new Code of Practice.”

SafeWork NSW regional operations director Tony Williams said the organisation was committed to improving safety for young and inexperienced horse riders.

“Of the 133 fatalities that occurred Australia-wide between 2000 and 2014, 18 per cent involved people under the age of 20,” Mr Williams said.

“Common safety risks include falling from the horse, incorrect use of riding equipment and tack, and a horse bolting or becoming agitated.

“This is a great opportunity for SafeWork NSW to work collaboratively with industry, especially in regional NSW, to not only raise awareness of the new horse safety code for new and inexperienced horse riders, but to start embedding the code in their businesses.”

The Tamworth event was the first in a series SafeWork NSW will undertake to improve awareness of the code, which brought in inspectors from as far Wagga Wagga and Dubbo. 

There will be workshops around the state, partnering with horse industry stakeholders and a social media campaign that focuses on the horse code.