ICICLE OUTFITTERS & GUIDES, INC.
HORSE RENTAL LIABILITY AGREEMENT & ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RISK
A. NATURE OF AGREEMENT. In consideration of the services Icicle Outfitters & Guides, Inc., its owners, agents, employees, volunteers and all other persons or entities acting in any capacity on its behalf (hereinafter referred to as “Icicle Outfitters & Guides”), I hereby agree to hire from Icicle Outfitters & Guides a horse (or mule), tack and equipment, and personnel for the purpose of recreational horseback riding. I further agree to release and discharge Icicle Outfitters & Guides, on behalf of myself, my spouse, children, parents, heirs, assigns, personal representative and estate, from liability as set forth herein.
B. AGREEMENT SCOPE AND DEFINITIONS. This Horse Rental Liability Agreement and Acknowledgment of Risk Form (“Agreement”) shall be legally binding on me, my spouse, children, parents, heirs, assigns, personal representative and estate. The term “HORSE” as used herein shall refer to all equine species. The term “HORSEBACK RIDING” as used herein shall refer to riding or otherwise handling horses, whether from the ground or mounted. The term “RIDER” as used herein refer to any person who rides a horse mounted, or who otherwise handles or comes near a horse from the ground. The terms “I”, “ME” and “MY” as used herein shall refer to any person signing this Agreement.
C. RISK CLASSIFICATION. I understand horseback riding is classified as a RUGGED ADVENTURE RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY, and there are numerous known and unknown inherent risks in this activity, despite all customary safety precautions. I understand such risks cannot be eliminated without jeopardizing the essential qualities of horseback riding. I acknowledge horseback riding, including instruction, could result in serious physical or emotional injury, paralysis, death, drowning or damage to myself, third parties, and my own or others’ property. Such injuries can be severe, requiring more hospital days and resulting in more lasting residual effects, than injuries resulting from less dangerous activities.
D. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RISKS. I acknowledge the known and inherent risks of horseback riding include but are not limited to the following: 1) weather conditions that may change quickly, including temperature, wind, rain and snow, lightning, fog and excessive heat and sun; 2) hypothermia (being too cold) and hyperthermia (being too hot); 3) trail conditions, including slippery and loose
footing, water crossings, falling rocks, branches and timber, fences, and motorized/non-motorized traffic; 4) contact with plants, insects, reptiles, and wild/domestic animals; 5) improper first aid, emergency treatment or other attempted rescue services, and the unavailability of life saving services or immediate medical attention in the case of injury; 6) my own physical condition and or omissions; 7) the consumption of tainted food or drink, including exposure to polluted or contaminated water; 8) my own and other riders’ attempts to exceed riding skills and/or riding in a reckless manner; 9) injury to a horse or the failure of a horse to respond to a rider’s commands; 10)
my own failure or that of other riders to follow the safety guidelines and commands/instructions of Icicle Outfitters & Guides’ guides, wranglers or instructors; 11) improper use of equipment; 12) inadequate repair or maintenance of Icicle Outfitters & Guides’ facilities and equipment; 13) manufacturing or other defects, both apparent and latent, in equipment supplied or used by Icicle Outfitters & Guides; 14) vehicular or pedestrian accident while being transported or walking to or from Icicle Outfitters & Guides’ staging areas;
15) error negligence on the part of Icicle Outfitters & Guides and its instructors, guides, wranglers and other employees, including insufficient instruction or assistance. Furthermore, Icicle Outfitters & Guides’ guides, wranglers and instructors have a difficult job to perform. The seek safety, but they are not infallible. They might not be aware of a participant’s fitness or abilities. They might
misjudge the weather, the elements or the terrain. They may give insufficient warnings or instructions, and the equipment being used might malfunction.
E. NATURE OF ICICLE OUTFITTERS & GUIDES HORSES. Although Icicle Outfitters & Guides chooses its rental horses for their calm dispositions and sound basic training, no horse is completely safe. Horses are larger, more powerful and faster than a human. If a rider falls from a horse to the ground, it will generally be a distance of 3-1/2 to 5-1/2 feet, and the impact may result in injury to the rider.
If a horse is frightened or provoked, it may divert from its training and act according to its natural survival instincts, which include, but are not limited to: 1) stopping short; 2) changing direction or speed at will; 3) shifting its weight; 4) bucking, rearing or kicking; 5) biting and; 6) running from danger. Due to the unpredictability of a horse’s behavior, no warranty of any kind, express or implied, is made as to habits, disposition, suitability, nature or physical condition of any horse.
F. 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 instructions and to remain aboard the moving animal. I agree not to attempt to exceed my own riding skills or ride in a reckless manner. I understand each rider is primarily responsible for his/her own
safety.
G. CARRY-ON OBJECTS/SHARP NOISES. I understand riders must not carry loose items on rides which may fall, blow away, flap in the wind, bounce or make sharp noises, thereby possibly scaring a horse. Such items include, but are not limited to: 1) unsecured cameras; 2) hats not securely fastened under the chin; 3) toys; and 4) purses and handbags. I understand riders must not make sharp noises, such as screaming or yelling, which may scare a horse.
H. CONDITIONS OF NATURE. I understand that Icicle Outfitters & Guides IS NOT responsible for acts, occurrences or elements of nature (either in whole or in party) that can scare a horse, cause it or its rider to fall or react in an unsafe manner. Such acts, occurrences or elements of nature include, but are not limited to: 1) thunder and lightning; 2) wind and wind-driven objects; 3) rain; 4) water; 5) wild/domestic animals, insects and reptiles which may walk, run or fly near, or may bite or sting a horse or rider; 6) uneven or unstable footing on outdoor trails or raw land that is subject to changes to weather, temperature, water, and natural and man-made changes in the landscape.
I. SADDLE GIRTHS - NATURAL LOOSENING. I understand saddle girths (saddle fasteners around horse’s belly) may loosen during a ride. If a rider notices such loosening, he/she must alert the nearest guide or wrangler as quickly as possible so action may be taken to avoid slippage of the saddle and a potential fall from the horse.
J. CONSENT TO MEDICAL TREATMENT. I consent to any hospital care or medical or surgical diagnosis or treatment to be rendered to me as found advisable, for any injury that may arise from participation in activities with Icicle Outfitters & Guides. I also understand and agree that I am solely responsible for all applicable charges for such medical treatment, evacuation and rescue costs.
K. PROTECTIVE HEADGEAR. I have been offered protective headgear by Icicle Outfitters & Guides, and understand that wearing such headgear while mounting, riding, dismounting and otherwise being around horses my prevent or reduce the severity of some head injuries, and may even prevent death as a result of a fall or other occurrence. I understand that Icicle Outfitters & Guides’ protective headgear may not be a perfect fit for each rider’s head, and that once provided, I will be responsible for securing such headgear at all times.
L. LEGAL ACTIONS CONCERNING AGREEMENT. Should Icicle Outfitters & Guides or anyone acting on its behalf be required to incur attorney’s fees and costs to enforce this agreement, I agree to indemnify and hold them harmless for all such fees and costs. I agree that substantive Washington State law (and not only conflict of law rules) rather than the law of any other state or jurisdiction shall be
applied in any legal action involving the interpretation, validity and/or enforceability of this Agreement, and that nay legal action resulting from my participation in this activity shall be brought only in Chelan County and Washington State. In the event that any portion of this agreement is deemed invalid or unenforceable, all other portions of this agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
M. LIABILITY AGREEMENT CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION. I hereby voluntarily release, forever discharge and agree to indemnify and hold harmless Icicle Outfitters & Guides from any and all claims, demands, or causes of action which are in any way connected with my participation in this activity or use of Icicle Outfitters & Guides’ equipment or facilities, including any such claims which allege acts or omissions of Icicle Outfitters & Guides. I expressly agree and promise to accept and assume all of the risks existing in horseback riding. My participation in this activity is purely voluntary, and I elect to participate in spite of the risks of participating in horseback riding.