Head Injury and Concussion Training

In accordance with USPC Policy 0900 and its Procedures, "USPC requires satisfactory completion of USPC-approved background checks and of USPC-designated educational training modules of individuals specified in the procedures. These must be completed prior to these individuals assuming positions or beginning specified membership terms."

USPC is dedicated to the health and well-being of our members and their mounts. While Pony Club teaches members how to care for their mounts properly and how to work around horses and ponies safely, accidents do happen. A major concern in any accident is the possibility of a concussion.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), alongside the NFL, established the traumatic brain injury campaign titled HEADS UP to Youth Sports. Their website features various educational and promotional materials, along with statistics and information on concussions (as a whole and by select sports), videos and other resources that may be helpful in understanding the signs, treatment, and prevention of concussions.

USPC requires all volunteers holding a leadership position within the organization to complete the HEADS UP concussion training module, created in conjunction with the NFL and the CDC Foundation. Once an individual completes the training module, and has taken the USPC quiz on concussions, their training in this area is complete.

Who is responsible for completing the Head Injury/Concussion Training via the HEADS UP to Youth Sports online training?

In addition to those individuals listed above, it is recommended that instructors, members who are instructing, parents, and any other volunteers complete the HEADS UP to Youth Sports online training and USPC quiz.

About the Course

From HEADS UP to Youth Sports Online Training:

By taking this free online training, you can use what you learn to inform how you talk about, prevent, and respond to concussions. Your action can help create a safe environment for young athletes so they can stay healthy, active, and thrive—both on and off the playing field.

For detailed Step-by-Step Instructions for completing the Head Injury/Concussion training, click here.

Learn Important Steps in Head Injury and Concussion Safety

By the end of the training, you will be prepared to:

Explain what a concussion is and the potential consequences of this injury.
Identify at least three concussion signs and symptoms.
Describe the steps for returning to activity (play and school) after a concussion, and
Create a plan for how to help keep athletes safe from concussion.

Additional Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The CDC offers a free HEADS UP Concussion and Helmet Safety app, available through the Apple App Store and Google Play. This app assists in learning how to spot a possible concussion and what to do if you think your child or teen has a concussion or other serious brain injury.

The application also includes a 3D helmet fit feature that teaches about proper helmet fit, safety, and care.

To learn more about the HEADS UP to Youth Sports program, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

Return-To-Play

Return-To-Play, or RTP, is defined as "the process of deciding when an injured or ill athlete may safely return to practice or competition".

Consideration should always be taken when assessing a member and their ability to “return to play” or their ability to return to the Pony Club lesson or activity.

A member believed to have sustained a concussion by a leader, coach, parent, or official during a USPC unmounted or mounted activity or competition shall be removed from play at that time and shall not return to play until the athlete is evaluated by a physician and cleared to return to activities.

Before returning to any USPC activity, the member/parent and a physician must sign off on the Return to Play Form. Once received, the member may resume participation in USPC activities.

In addition, the DC/CA must complete the Head Injury/Concussion Report Form. The information submitted through this form is reviewed by the USPC Safety Committee and is vital to the committee’s work to continue finding avenues in which to educate our members and leaders.

USPC Incident Report Form

Pony Club provides DCs/CAs with an online form for reporting incidents/accidents that occur at Pony Club functions. Data provided in this form assists in improving safety in horsemanship.

When an incident occurs that may have resulted in injury, or when an accident results in injury, the responsible DC/CA, or designated individual, MUST complete a USPC Incident Report Form. This includes situations that produced no injury as well. The Safety Committee will follow up on all accidents that produce injury.