Empowering Strides Volunteer Application

This agreement is made between Triple L Ranch, Empowering Strides and Laura Gorcester (the director) and volunteer for the purpose of eliminating all liability that might be incurred by Triple L Ranch, Empowering Strides and Laura Gorcester as a result of the volunteer’s use of the facilities and/or horses today, and on all future occasions.  In consideration of the use of the facilities and/or horses for the purpose of assisting with instruction, the volunteer, volunteer’s heirs, assigns and representatives agree as follows:

 

Inherent risks and assumption of risk: The undersigned acknowledges that they are aware of the inherent risks associated with equine activities and expressly assumes all risks associated with such activities.  Horses, by their nature, are unpredictable and subject to whim, and the volunteer assumes all risks associated with equine activities.  The volunteer agrees to abide by the instructor’s rules and instruction.

 

Hold harmless and agreement to indemnify:  The volunteer, volunteer’s heirs, assigns, and representatives agree to hold harmless, indemnify and defend Triple L Ranch, Empowering Strides and Laura Gorcester against any and all claims, demands, causes of action, damages, judgment, orders, costs and expenses, including but not limited to attorney’s fees, which in any way arise from or may be in any way connected with the volunteer’s use of or presence upon the property of Triple L Ranch.

 

Any action brought against Triple L Ranch, Empowering Strides and Laura Gorcester shall be brought within one (1) year of the incident or accident giving rise to the claim.  The volunteer, volunteer’s heirs, assigns, parents/guardians and representatives agree that damages shall be limited to $250.00 for property damage, medical or other actual expenses incurred and a maximum of $1,000.00 for pain and suffering.  I read and understand English or this document has been explained to me in my native language.

Empowering Strides enforces the following rules for the safety and well-being of all riders, families, volunteers and horses. We want Empowering Strides to be a safe, caring and fun environment for all to enjoy.

Triple L Ranch

Empowering Strides is based at Triple L Ranch; to keep this wonderful relationship please be respectful of the property and all owners. If you see something around the barn that needs to be dealt with please immediately notify the Operations Manager. Triple L Ranch is a privately owned facility – meaning that not all of the horses on the premises are used by Empowering Strides. Please do not handle and/or feed any horse without permission.

During Lessons

Your number one priority as a volunteer is to ensure the safety for our riders and horses, please talk with the Operations Manager if you feel something or someone is being unsafe. Our instructors are PATH certified instructors and many of these rules are standards that PATH expects to be upheld.

1.     Please do not text or talk on your phone while supervising a child, if you have an emergency please notify your instructor to supervise for you.

2.     Rider’s must always wear helmets when handling or riding horses, please help to enforce this policy.

3.     The instructor must handle all mounts and dismounts unless an emergency is happening and volunteers are required to emergency dismount their rider.

4.     In the event that a rider falls, please do not move the child. Instead, move the horse safely away from the child so the instructor can attend to them.

5.     Please encourage riders to pay attention to the instructor and lesson being given.

6.     Please encourage parents to give feedback or ask important questions of the instructor. I know parents will respect and trust volunteers as a good source for information but to have all parents on the same page it is important to have the instructor answer feedback or questions.

Weather Policy

For the safety of our horses, our riders and volunteers, lessons will be canceled for any extreme weather event, such as a thunder storm, wind storm or snow storm. The Operations Manager will notify volunteers as soon as possible when lessons will be canceled. Please check with your instructor if you are unsure about the weather. We do have a covered arena so lessons will be held in the rain.

Cancelation Policy

Our instructor and our riders rely on you for our lessons. Please update your volunteer shift in Wranglr as soon as possible. If you need to cancel within 24 hours of your scheduled shift, please contact the Operations Manager or your instructor. 

Clothing Policy

Please dress appropriately for the barn and for working with children. Closed toed shoes are required, preferably some sort of boot. Dressing in layers, especially in the winter is important so you can adjust as you become warm during lessons and cool off between. We mostly work in the barn and covered arena but we have to walk outside to get horses so a waterproof jacket during rainy season is suggested. In the summer please dress appropriately, undergarments should not be explicitly exposed.

Have Fun!

Last, but most important! Have fun! This is supposed to be a fun environment for all involved, let’s keep drama to a minimum and enjoy what we do. If you have any concerns, please address them to the Operations Manager.

By signing below, you understand and agree to the rules as written above:

Photo Release

The undersigned hereby grants permission to Empowering Strides to take still and moving photographs and films of their rider. The undersigned hereby consents and authorizes Empowering Strides to use the photographs, films or footage to circulate and publicize the same, including and without limit to, newspapers, television, social media, brochures, marketing materials and website. No promises have been made to me to secure my signature to this release other than the intention for Empowering Strides to use or have such photographs for the purpose of promoting and aiding Empowering Strides and its work.