B. AGREEMENT SCOPE AND TERRITORY AND DEFINITIONS
This agreement shall be legally binding upon me the registered RIDER, and the parents or legal guardiansthereof if a minor, my heirs, estate, assigns, including all minor children, and personal representatives; and it shall be interpreted according to the laws of the state and county of THIS STABLE'S physical location. Any disputes by the RIDER shall be litigated in and venue shall be the county in which THIS STABLE is physically located. If any clause, phrase or word is in conflict with state law, then that single part is null and void. The term "HORSE" herein shall refer to all equine species. The term "HORSEBACK RIDING" or "RIDING" herein shall refer to riding or otherwise handling of horses, ponies, mules, or donkeys, whether from the ground or mounted. The term "RIDER" shall herein refer to a person who rides a horse mounted or otherwise handles or comes near a horse from the ground. The terms "I", "ME", "MY" shall herein refer to the above registered rider and the parents or legal guardians thereof if a minor.
C. ACTIVITY RISK CLASSIFICATION
I UNDERSTAND THAT: Horseback riding is classified as RUGGED ADVENTURE RECREATIONAL SPORT ACTIVITY, and that there are numerous obvious and non-obvious inherent risks always present in such activity despite all safety precautions. According to NEISS (National Electronic Injury Surveillance Systems of United States Consumer Products) horse activities rank approximately 64th among the activities of people relative to injuries that result in a stay at U.S. hospitals.
Related injuries can be severe requiring more hospital days and resulting in more lasting residual effects than injuries in other activities.
D. NATURE OF RIDING HORSES
I UNDERSTAND THAT: No horse is a completely safe horse. Horses are 5 to 15 times larger, 20 to 40 times more powerful, and 3 to 4 times faster than a human. If a rider falls from horse to ground it will generally be at a distance of from 3½ to 5½ feet, and the impact may result in injury to the rider. Horseback riding is the only sport where one much smaller, weaker predator animal (human) tries to impose its will on, and become one unit of movement with, another much larger, stronger prey animal with a mind of its own (horse) and each has a limited understanding of the other. If a horse is frightened or provoked it may divert from its training and act according to its natural survival instincts which may include, but are not limited to: Stopping short; Changing directions or speed at will; Shifting its weight; Bucking, Rearing, Kicking, Biting, or Running from danger.
E. RIDER RESPONSIBILITY
I UNDERSTAND THAT: Upon mounting a horse and taking up the reins the RIDER is in primary control of the horse. The RIDER'S safety largely depends upon his/her ability to carry out simple instructions, and his/her ability to remain balanced aboard the moving animal. The RIDER shall be responsible for his/her own safety, and that of an unborn child, if the rider is pregnant. Pregnant women should ride a horse only under the advice of their physician. THIS STABLE advises pregnant women not to ride horses.
F. CONDITIONS OF NATURE
I UNDERSTAND THAT: THIS STABLE is NOT responsible for total or partial acts, occurrences, or elements of nature that can scare a horse, cause it to fall, or react in some other unsafe way. SOME EXAMPLES ARE: Thunder, lightening, rain, wind, wild and domestic animals, insects, reptiles, which may walk, run, fly near, bite and/or sting a horse or person; and irregular footing on out-of-door groomed or wild land which is subject to constant change in condition according to weather, temperature, and natural and man-made changes in landscape.
G. INSPECTION OF PREMISES
I UNDERSTAND THAT: RIDER has inspected THIS STABLE'S facilities and trails and is satisfied that all premises conditions are reasonably safe for RIDER'S intended purpose, usage and presence upon THIS STABLE'S premises.
H. SADDLE GIRTH/NATURAL LOOSENING
Saddle girths (saddle fastener around horse's belly just behind the front legs) may loosen during a ride. If a rider notices this he/she must dismount and tighten saddle or immediately alert someone who can, so to avoid slippage of the saddle and a potential fall of the rider. The rider shall not again mount the horse until the saddle had been sufficiently tightened to avoid slippage.
I. ACCIDENT/MEDICAL AND PERSONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE
I AGREE THAT: Should medical treatment be required, I and/or my own accident/medical insurance company shall pay for all pay for such damages. Should my actions or that of my horse cause injury or damage of any kind I and/or my own personal liability shall cover such incurred expenses.
J. PROTECTIVE HEADGEAR WARNING
I AGREE THAT: I for myself and on behalf of my child and/or legal ward have been fully warned and advised by THIS STABLE thatprotective headgear which meets or exceeds the quality standards of the NOCSEA ND050/SEI CERTIFIED ASTM STANDARD F 1163-2015 Equestrian Helmet, should be purchased and worn while riding and being near horses and I do understand that the wearing of such headgear at these times may reduce severity of some of the wearer's head injuries and possibly prevent the wearer's death from happening as the result of a fall and other occurrences.
K. LIABILITY RELEASE
I AGREE THAT: In consideration of THIS STABLE allowing my participation in this activity, under the terms set forth herein, I, the RIDER, for myself and onbehalf of my child and/or legal ward, heirs, administrators, personal representatives, or assigns, do agree to hold harmless, release, and discharge THIS STABLE, its owners, agents, employees, officers, directors, representatives, assigns, members, owners of premises and trails, affiliated organizations, and Insurers, and others acting on its behalf (hereinafter, collectively referred to as "Associates"), of and from all claims, demands, causes of action and legal liability, whether the same be known or unknown, anticipated or unanticipated, due to THIS STABLE'S and/or ITS ASSOCIATES ordinary negligence; and I do further agree that except in the event of THIS STABLE'S gross negligence and willful and wanton misconduct, I shall not bring any claims, demands, legal actions and causes of action, against THIS STABLE and ITS ASSOCIATES as stated above in this clause, for any economic and non-economic losses due to bodily injury, death, property damage, sustained by me and/or my minor child or legal ward in relation to the premises and operations of THIS STABLE, to include while riding, handling, or otherwise being near horses owned by or in the care, custody and control of THIS STABLE, whether on or off the premises of
All Riders and Parents or Legal Guardians must sign below after reading this entire document: