POLICIES AND PROGRAM RULES

Healing Reins of Kentucky, Inc. follows standards set by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl). There are many responsibilities, the most important being safety. The following policies align with these responsibilities to ensure that all parties understand the policies before participating in adaptive lessons at a Healing Reins facility. Please read, sign and return the signature portion to us for inclusion in your file. Your signature indicates your understanding and intent to comply with Healing Reins policies.

1. Application Policy

a. Application forms must be submitted prior to the start of each session unless registered previously.

b. Prior to the first lesson, an assessment interview and equine encounter may be scheduled with an instructor. This required evaluation is to allow staff to determine a suitable mount, volunteers or any adaptive equipment needed.

c. Application forms must be complete. The following forms MUST be submitted before placement can be considered: Participant's Medical History and Physicians Statement; Medical Information; Liability.

d. The total session fee is due on or before the first day of the session. No participant will be permitted to participate until full payment is received.

e. Lessons are $35 each. Scheduling and participant needs will dictate if lessons will be a private, semiprivate, or group lesson. Regardless of group size or duration, the lesson cost is still $35.

2. Attendance/Cancellation Policies

a. If Healing Reins cancels for a non-weather related reason, a makeup lesson will be offered on a date determined by Healing Reins. The make up lesson may be offered with a different instructor, at another facility and/or may be a group lesson.

b. Participant illness, vacations, or cancellations by a participant for any reason are not subject to refund and makeup lessons are NOT provided.

c. Late Arrival- Participants who arrive 15 minutes late WILL NOT be allowed to participate in their scheduled lesson. No makeup will be provided.

d. Participants receiving financial assistance may be asked to forfeit their reserved lesson time for the remainder of the semester if they have an unexcused absence or do not give notice of absence. Two or more no shows or unexcused absences will disqualify the participant from requesting financial assistance in the future.

3. Weather Policy - Weather is a factor beyond our control. Healing Reins reserves the right to cancel lessons due to inclement weather, or to provide an alternative lesson. If an alternative lesson is offered, no makeup lesson will be provided. When a lesson is canceled altogether, a makeup lesson will be scheduled. Refunds will not be given for weather related cancellations. For winter weather, we will follow the closings for Henderson County Schools.

a. Horse Usage Relative To Heat Concerns - Periodically, due to heat and humidity and elevation, it is necessary to monitor and limit the workload on program horses. The Lead Instructor will keep instructors advised using the following guidelines:

i. If the ambient temperature is over 80 degrees, take: Ambient temperature + humidity = n

1. When n is between 150 and 180 there is to be limited activity: a. Riding/trotting: 1-2 laps with a walk break before more trotting; b. Driving horses to work up to 45 minutes, with multiple walk breaks throughout.

2. When n is greater than 180 there is to be no mounted or hitched work. Horses may be worked in hand for short periods at the walk, participants may have in an alternative lesson.

ii. Additionally, when the ambient temperature is over 80 degrees and the dewpoint is over 70, there is to be no mounted or hitched work.

iii. The Lead Instructor must approve unmounted lessons during a heat restriction.

b. Horse Usage Relative To Cold Concerns - In the event temperatures are below 25 degrees Fahrenheit and are not likely to rise, mounted lessons will not be held.

C. When mounted lessons are canceled due to extreme cold temperature, students may be offered alternative lessons on that day only.

d. Split lessons - When rain or high wind is a factor, indoor semiprivate or group lessons may be interrupting other lessons or participants, or verbal communication may be challenging, therefore, at the discretion of the instructor, she/he may decide to split the lesson, conducting 2, 1/2 hour lessons.

4. Alternative Lessons Policy

a. Alternative lessons may be offered in lieu of cancellation when heat, cold or other weather conditions such as thunder and lightning storms are factors.

b. There may be circumstances when a lesson needs to be canceled due to weather just after it has begun. In these cases the instructor may choose to provide an alternative lesson in the classroom or barn. The alternative lesson will consist of age appropriate, educational and fun activities that will benefit the participant in furthering his/her knowledge of horses and horsemanship. When an alternative lesson is conducted, no mounted makeup lesson will be given in the future.

5. Weight Policy

a. For the safety of our instructors and volunteers, Healing Reins has set a maximum weight limit of 250 lbs for mounted acitivies. It is imperative that our riders are 250 lbs or less to ensure the safety of our staff while mounting and dismounting or in the event of an emergency dismount. Healing Reins reserves the right to offer unmounted lessons to any participant when an appropriate horse is unavailable or when the safety of the horse or participant is at risk.

b.Riders who surpass the weight limit during session will participate in alternative lessons, and will not receive a refund for any unmounted lessons.

6. Supervision Policy

a. Parents, caregivers or guardians must remain on the property while their participant is on Healing Reins facility grounds unless specific permission is granted by the instructor. If a parent, caregiver or guardian leaves the premises without permission, their participant will be dismounted or excused and will forfeit the lesson.

b. We welcome friends and family to come and observe lessons in designated viewing areas. We do, however, ask that anyone under the age of 14 not be allowed to enter the barn without adult supervision. All observers must stay quiet and uninvolved with the participants during the lesson, or they will be asked to leave the observation area. Observers are not allowed in the grooming/tacking area. Please see the photo/video policy for rules during lessons regarding cameras.

c. Treats are a great way to reward your special horse, but please give any treats to your instructor. Do not ever handfeed the horses due to the inherent risk of accidentally being bitten. Do not feed horses without the permission and prior approval of the instructor.

7. Photo/Video Policy

a. Parents, caregivers, family members, friends and other observers will not take photos or videos during Healing Reins lessons without the permission of the instructor. All photos and videos will be approved by the instructor in order to protect the safety and confidentiality of all participants. A photo opportunity can be provided at the end of the lesson as directed by the instructor. Observers must notify and ask the instructor for permission before taking any photos or videos during Healing Reins events.

 

POSSIBLE REASONS FOR PARTICIPANT DISCHARGE

1. Uncontrolled and inappropriate behavior that constitutes a safety risk.

2. Participant weight exceeds that which can safely be managed by staff, volunteers and/or horses.

3. Any change in participant's medical, physical, cognitive or emotional condition that makes adaptive horsemanship inappropriate.

4. Participant has 2 or more no shows for scheduled lessons.

DISMISSAL OF VOLUNTEERS AND GUESTS FROM CENTER ACTIVITIES

1. Healing Reins of Kentucky, Inc. relies greatly on volunteers as important members of the team that provides services to and assists our participants. We also recognize the extreme importance of the safety and well-being of our participants, volunteers, staff, guests, and animals.

2. All volunteers and guests are expected to follow Healing Reins rules and policies and may not engage in disruptive, unsafe or inappropriate behavior. In the event a volunteer or guest does not comply, the following actions may be taken:

a.Verbal warning - Breaking of Healing Reins rules and/or policies and procedures may be followed by a verbal warning from the Lead Instructor or Executive Director and be documented in the incident report book.

b. Written warning - Breaking of Healing Reins rules and/or policies and procedures for a second time will be followed by a Personnel Committee meeting for discussion regarding the infraction. This meeting will be documented and placed in the incident report book.

c. Immediate dismissal from the facility and organization will occur for:

i. Endangering the safety of others

ii. Inappropriate use of the facilities, mailing lists or monies

iii. Disruptive or abusive behavior to the animals or people at Healing Reins iv. Harassment of, or inappropriate behavior toward any volunteers, participants or staff

V. Repeated disregard of the organization's rules, policies and procedures

vi. Possession of a weapon during a lesson

vii. Being impaired while under the influence of alcohol or drugs

 

*Healing Reins will take appropriate measures, including calling the police department if a staff person suspects that a parent, participant, or volunteer is disturbing and under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

 

PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN WITH APPLICATION OR LEAVE WITH INSTRUCTOR

I have read and understand the Policies and Program Rules by which Healing Reins of Kentucky, Inc. operates. By signing below I indicate my willingness to abide by these rules and policies. I further understand that failure to comply with these policies and rules may result in discharge from the program.

PLEASE RETURN ALL FORMS AND SIGNATURE PAGES TO:

Healing Reins of Kentucky, Inc. PO Box 2027, Henderson, KY 42419

Or email application: horsesheal1@gmail.com

Programs Committee Update: 01/20/2024 4