Participant Information

Under Oregon Law, an equine professional is not liable for an injury to or the death of a participant in equine activities resulting from the inherent risks of participating in equine activities, pursuant to section 30.691, Oregon Revised Statutes.

The program at the Dream Catcher Therapeutic Riding Center located at 47955 St. Andrew’s Rd, Pendleton, Oregon 97801; provides therapeutic horseback riding for children and adults. Volunteers and horses are carefully selected and trained and safety equipment is required for all riders since horseback riding is a risk exercise.  

No student will be accepted for riding instruction and no volunteer accepted for service until this form has been read, understood, completed and signed by the parent(s), caregivers(s) and/or guardian(s) of a minor, or if the student or volunteer is of legal age and sound mind, by the student or volunteer.  Although participation in the program is under strict supervision and every effort is made to avoid injury or accident, the undersigned acknowledges the inherent risks involved in riding and working around horses. This includes, but not limited to, bodily injury from horseback riding or being in close proximity to horses. Among other risks, both horse and rider can be injured in normal use or in competition and schooling. In order to provide this valuable service, no liability can be accepted by the Dream Catcher Therapeutic Riding Center, located at 47955 St. Andrew’s Rd, Pendleton, Oregon 97801, or any of the organizations or persons connected with the above named facility.   

I acknowledge the risks and potential for risks in riding and working with horses. However, I feel that the possible benefits to myself/my child/my ward are greater than the risks assumed.

In Consideration, for the privilege of riding and/or working around horses at the Dream Catcher Therapeutic Riding Center, the undersigned, as self, or as parent(s) or guardian(s) of the undersigned minor, jointly and severally, do hereby agree to release, hold harmless and indemnify the Dream Catcher Therapeutic Riding Center, its officers, directors, trustees, agents, employees, representatives, property owners, successors and assigns, from all manner of liability, loss, costs, claims, demands and damages of every kind and nature whatsoever, including but not limited to reasonable attorney’s fees, which the undersigned or said minor may now or in the future have against the Dream Catcher Therapeutic Riding Center, its officers, directors, trustees, agents, employees, representatives, property owners, successors and assigns, on account of any accident, damage, injury or illness, physical or mental condition, known or unknown, to the undersigned or said minor, or the treatment thereof, arising as a result of, or in any way connected to acts or incidents occurring at or relating to the Dream Catcher Therapeutic Riding Center, its officers, directors, trustees, agents, employees, representatives, property owners, successors or assigns, including but not limited to their negligence or gross negligence in rendering the services described above or in any way incidental thereto.  

In the event of an emergency, if medical aid/ treatment is required due to illness or injury while participating in the services of or while being on the property of, Dream Catcher Therapeutic Riding Center (DCTRC), WE will call 9-1-1. If Parent or guardian of minor child is not present, we will call you next. The next steps can be decided with parent and emergency responders.  

I DO/ I DO NOT consent to and authorize the use and reproduction by Dream Catcher Therapeutic Riding Center of any and all photographs and any other audio/ visual materials taken of me (or minor participant) for promotional material, educational activities, exhibitions of for any other use for the benefit of the program. 

Dream Catcher will send the required Physician's Release form to the participant's primary care provider and any other forms authorized below. We must have a Physician's Release for participation to begin lessons. We do not require a whole health history, but do ask your physician some basic questions to ensure that this is an appropriate activity for your participant. This is a requirement for our insurance and certifications. If you are able to share physical/ speech/ occupational therapist information it is greatly appreciated so that we can better serve you/ your participant. Please contact us at 541-377-1479 if you have questions or concerns about this. 

In an effort to maintain safety within our program, and show respect to those who help us; we have a few policies and procedures that we need you to read, agree to, and follow. In these last steps, you will find our "Student Policies", and "Reasons for possible discharge/ or termination from services". We aim to make sure that we are not only providing a much needed service and having fun, but that we are safe with eachother and our horses. 

You can find these posted at the barn as well.

Payment
We require payment in advance at the beginning of the month. Lessons are $30. Try to plan trips around your scheduled lesson time, as to not miss. We have many who wish to participate and this holds your spot. If we have a pre-arranged miss, we can prorate that month; though we cannot provide a “make-up” lesson. Non-payment will result in dismissal from services.

Cancellation Policy
We understand that sometimes things come up that are beyond our control, and we will gladly work with you as much as possible to ensure that your payment is put to good use. With that being said, we require a 24 hour cancellation notice. As a nonprofit, Dream Catcher TRC relies on volunteers to help with the many tasks involved in lessons. Therefore, notice of cancellation well in advance of class is most respectful to our volunteers’ time.

**If you have a time that you know you will be gone and can leave notification of your upcoming absence before hand, a simple note of the participants: name, phone number and dates they will be missing, left in the drop box or a phone call to Morgan is preferred.

If a lesson is cancelled less than 24 hours before ride time, or you fail to show up, we will charge $20 of the lesson. If this happens a second time, we will charge you the full amount, and a third, we will have to remove your student from the current lesson schedule and moved to the wait list.

If given the occurance of a "no-call, no-show" you will be charged the full $30 of lesson on the first occurance, and then face termination of services on the second occurance.

**Participants are not permitted to take part in classes if they have: nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea within the past 24 hours. • Severe persistent coughing or a severe cold. • An oral temperature of 100 degrees or higher. Temperature should be stable for 24 hours before attending class. • A contagious or exposed skin rash. • Red, watery, burning eyes with either white or yellow drainage. • A communicable disease such as head lice, strep throat, chickenpox, etc.
**Please let us know as soon as possible if the participant is sick.
Medical: If a participant misses 2 or more lessons during the pre-paid month due to medical issues, s/he will be reimbursed if a doctor’s note is provided stating the participant’s inability to participate for medical reasons. If an extended illness or medical condition occurs, the participant’s lesson day/time will be reserved without payment for a period of 1 month. After that time, the participant must be put on the wait list to return. A doctor’s release is required for the participant to return to lessons following a medical leave. 

**Please notify us of recent exposure to or diagnosis of Covid-19

Tardiness   
We request that you arrive with your student by the scheduled ride time, and let us know if you are running late, so that we may be aware of the situation. If you are to arrive 15 minutes (or more) late, we will cancel the ride. Payment policy is the same as a no-show or late cancellation, (50% the first time, 100% the second time).

Attire
**No sandals, slip-ons or Crocs. Shoes with clunky-soled shoes or shoes with fat tongues like Skaters do not move easily into and out of the stirrup and are therefore unsafe for riding. Long pants are required. Boots with a heel are preferred but not required.

*In cooler months layers work great as it is generally cooler at our facility than in town. Dress for the weather. Gloves with individual fingers are helpful on cold days.

All participants must wear approved ASTM-SEI safety helmets while working with or near the horses. This includes both ground and mounted work. Helmets are provided, but if participants wish to purchase their own helmet, said helmet must meet the ASTM-SEI standards and be properly fitted.

Weather
Sometimes we have weather changes that prevent us from riding, when we have extreme heat (95+) or extreme cold (35 or less) we will cancel classes, we will do our best to schedule around the temperature and offer alternative ride times.
As we have an outdoor arena, if we see thunder and lightning approaching or heavy rain, or strong wind, we will cancel with no penalties to you. If we are experiencing light rain or weather we will most likely ride unless your student will not handle those weather changes- we will do our best to try for the option for a make-up, or no penalty cancelation.

*Often times the weather may be nice in town, but out at the barn (at the base of the Blue Mountains), the weather can be unpredictable. Usually this involves extreme wind. We do our best to stay ahead of the changing weather and catch you before you make it out to the barn, as we know how disappointing it can be to show up and not be able to ride.

Safety Rules
Safety for our participants, volunteers, horses, staff and visitors are of the utmost concern. Dream Catcher horses are trained to work with many distractions; however they are still animals with a strong flight instinct. Working around horses is a risk activity. We work hard to minimize environmental factors and work horses through distraction. You can help too by following these rules at all times:

● No Smoking anywhere on the property. ● Pull into barn yard slowly- to respect other participants, and horses. ● No pets allowed on the premises. Please leave dogs at home. ● All minors must be supervised. No running, pushing, yelling, climbing the rails, stairs or ramp. ● Picture taking must be cleared with the instructor. ● Non-participants must remain out of the stalls, and by green bench. ● No weapons allowed on the property. ● No alcohol or illegal substances allowed on the property. ● In-ability to follow directions, or inappropriate behavior which leads to safety risks for other participants, staff and horses, will lead to an immediate dismissal of services/ or permission to be on the property.

Visitors
Visitors are always welcome during business hours in the observation area of the facility. Children must be supervised at all times. If visitors would like more information about Dream Catcher or a tour of the facility, please arrange this with the Morgan Matteson in advance. Participants are responsible for their guests. Visitors are not permitted in with the horses. All persons entering the barn area must follow the barn rules. We understand that you are curious about what we are doing, and would like to learn more about the horses and the process, but please be respectful of the students and their lesson time. It is distracting to participants, and the instructor, causing delays in the lesson and schedule.

Thank you for your understanding and agreement with our policies and procedures! It is our aim to keep everyone safe, and to have a good time while with us!

As much as we want to help everyone and see all participants successful, there are a few reasons why this activity may be not suitable for your participant. We will always do our best to accommodate you/ your family member to the best of our ability.

* Equine activities are not always suitable for all individuals. It is important for Dream Catcher TRC, its staff and its participants to follow a few guidelines. Please be advised of the following reasons that may lead to discharge from Dream Catcher Therapeutic Riding Center. 
 *We take the following statements very seriously. (Printed copies available upon request).

❶ Participant is determined to have a contraindication to Equine Assisted Services, as defined by PATH, Intl. (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) Standards. Contraindication defined as: a reason for a person to not receive a particular treatment or procedure because it may be harmful.

❷ Participant has a precaution, as defined by PATH, Intl. Standards, that Dream Catcher TRC is not able to make special accommodations for.
Precaution defined as: a measure taken in advance to prevent something dangerous or unpleasant from happening.

❸ Inability to follow directions, uncontrolled, and/or inappropriate behavior which constitutes a safety risk to the participant, other clients, staff, volunteers and/or horses.   

 ❹ Participant/client exceeds weight that can safely be managed by staff, volunteers, and/or therapy horses.   

 ❺ Any change in the participant’s/client’s medical, physical, cognitive, or emotional condition that makes therapeutic riding inappropriate.  

 ❻ Three scheduled sessions are missed without prior cancelling.  See more information on the “Cancellation” Section of our Student Policy Information Page.

❼ Non-payment of billed funds after 60 days.   

Dream Catcher Therapeutic Riding Center shall preserve the right of confidentiality for all individuals in its program.
1.The staff shall keep confidential all medical, social, referral, personal and financial information regarding a person and his/her family.
2.The staff will not disclose information to outside agencies or individuals without specific written consent of the rider or parent/guardian.
3.The volunteer will keep confidential all information about rider, family, parent/guardian. In the case of a breach of this confidentiality the volunteer will be reprimanded. If this occurs again, the volunteer will be terminated.