Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue Humane Treatment Policy
- Every horse shall, at all times, be treated humanely and with dignity, respect and compassion. Any participant using abusive or excessive training techniques or being inhumane to a HOP horse in his/her care (determined excessive or abusive by the board and officers of Heart of Phoenix) will always be removed from the contest and face possible legal action.
Some techniques and devices are not allowed. Full disclosure is included in the trainer packet received in May, if a trainer is chosen. The following list includes but is not limited to examples of unacceptable behavior and training techniques: No horse appearing to be emaciated, drawn or injured may be exhibited.
Use of or evidence of inhumane training techniques or methods: no training object may be used in an abusive manner, no excessive spurring and/or excessive jerking of reins. Any inhumane treatment that results in wounds.
Additionally, Heart of Phoenix and the APPALACHIAN TRAINER FACE OFF promotes and encourages the following examples of sound, compassionate, and successful training techniques and handling methods:
*Horse and trainer exhibit a solid relationship based on respect and understanding
* A calm and willing partnership between horse and trainer is evident, regardless of the obstacle or environmental challenge during competition or training phases
* Trainer maintains a credible level of dignity for the horse during all phases of training, competition and repositioning
*Trainers seek and employ methods of horsemanship in order to promote and encourage the positive relationship between horse and trainer.
*Horse must be on appropriate body weight and condition to compete based on the on sight vet assessment the days of the competition.
BY SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT YOU ARE GIVING UP CERTAIN LEGALRIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO RECOVER DAMAGES IN CASE OFINJURY, DEATH, OR PROPERTY DAMAGE, ARISING OUT OF YOUR RIDING, Training or working with a horse from Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue. The USE OF any Heart of Phoenix Equine rescue HORSE AND/OR PARTICIPATION IN EQUINE ACTIVITIES during the Appalachian Trainer Face Off or any other Heart of Phoenix activity, INCLUDING INJURY, DEATH, ORPROPERTY DAMAGE, is not the responsibility of Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue or its officers or volunteers or board members.
READ THIS AGREEMENT CAREFULLY BEFORE SIGNING IT. YOURSIGNATURE INDICATES YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF AND AGREEMENT TOITS TERMS. By signing this form, I hereby acknowledge on behalf of myself that I have familiarized myself with the activities that I will be allowed to participate in, and that I do hereby acknowledge and agree that I will participate in these activities without restriction or limitation. I recognize the inherent risks involved in riding and working with horses, including but not limited to:
Bites, kicks, abrasions or contusions from horses.
Being thrown or bucked off by horses.
Scratches or other injury from stalls or enclosures.
Scratches or other injury from grooming tools and other equine equipment and tack.
Allergic reactions to animals, hay, or other allergens.
Tripping in holes or on materials or equipment.
Slipping, falling, or otherwise being injured in the barn, in stalls, or on the grounds, which can be slippery, muddy, wet, or contain or present other hazards.
Through my signature below, I certify that I have read and understand the Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue Humane Treatment policy, and agree to abide by these principles as a participant in Appalachian Trainer Face OFF.
I also understand that should a determination be made (as outlined above) that I have violated any part of this policy, I may lose the privilege of competing at HOP / ATF events.
I also recognize that that I may be, at the sole discretion of the panel of Heart of Phoenix and / or their affiliates for the ATFO, disqualified for failure to comply with any portion of these standards or the standards includes in the packet the day horses are picked up.