CVS Equine Leads the Way on Vet Safety with Mandatory Hard Hat Rule

CVS Equine has become the first major veterinary group in the UK to make hard hats mandatory for all its vets and nurses working with horses, ponies, and donkeys. From spring 2025, staff at all 22 CVS Equine practices will wear protective headgear during every equine interaction – whether at the clinic, a stable yard, or a client’s property.

The move comes in response to a landmark three-year study led by the University of Liverpool, which revealed that a staggering 90% of vets have suffered injuries at work, with head injuries being among the most common.

Dr John Tulloch, the research lead and veterinary public health specialist, explained:

“Vet visits can be stressful for horses, which often leads to unpredictable behaviour. Head injuries typically occur during lower limb examinations when vets are in a vulnerable position. Wearing a helmet could prevent life-changing trauma.”

The study, published in Preventive Veterinary Medicine, also found that 49% of equine vets are injured each year, often by kicks to the legs or head. Alarmingly, over a quarter of those injuries required hospital treatment, but many incidents went unreported due to a culture that normalises risk and discourages staff from taking time off.

Sophie Ignarski, Director at CVS Equine, hopes this initiative will inspire change across the sector:

“Rider safety has improved dramatically in the last two decades. Now it’s time our vets are protected in the same way. This is about joining industries like construction and aviation in recognising that head protection should be a cultural norm, not an afterthought.”

Ignarski added that while some clients may be surprised to see their vet wearing a hard hat, it’s a sign of progress – and they hope clients will support the change, and even consider wearing hard hats themselves during vet visits.

The move by CVS Equine sets a powerful precedent and reflects a growing recognition that equine veterinary safety needs urgent systemic change. With over 20 specialists and 21 locations across the UK, CVS continues to lead the way not only in veterinary excellence but also in workplace safety.

For more on CVS Equine and their services, visit: www.cvs-equine.com