Healing Reins of Kentucky, Inc. follows standards set by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.), many of which address safety. The following policies align with our responsibility to ensure that all parties understand the policies before participating in lessons at a Healing Reins facility. Please read, sign, and return it to us for inclusion in your file. Your signature indicates your understanding and intent to comply with Healing Reins policies.
1. Enrollment
The first steps toward participation in Healing Reins programs are essential for our staff to customize experiences to each individual. Safety is our top priority, and this includes the safety of all potential members of a lesson team, which can include: the participant, the equine, the instructor, the volunteer(s) and the facility managers. We gather a lot of information before the first lesson is even scheduled to give everyone the most fulfilling experience.
● Application forms must be submitted prior to participation, unless registered previously.
a. The following forms MUST be submitted before placement can be considered: Participant’s Medical History and Physicians Statement; Medical Information; Liability Release.
b. Not all applications will be approved. Healing Reins has limitations due to capabilities and availability related, but not limited to, horses, equipment, volunteers, instructors, and facilities.
● One or both of the following may be required prior to the first lesson of a semester or quarter.
a. A “Meet & Greet” at the facility with the Lead Instructor or her representative. This may include a tour, an assessment interview and discussion on safe horse encounters.
b. An Intake Lesson (30-45 minutes) may be required before a new participant (or returning after a significant absence). This evaluation is to allow staff to determine a suitable horse, volunteers, and adaptive equipment needed. The cost of the Intake Lesson is $35.
2. Payment
All lessons are offered at a discounted rate to participants at $35 per lesson. The true cost of a lesson is $75.
● Payment is required prior to lessons. Deadlines are posted in Seasonal Semester applications and Year-Round Participant policies.
● Scheduling and participant needs will dictate if lessons will be private, semi-private, or group lesson. Regardless of group size or duration, the lesson cost is $35.
● Payment is preferred by check or online at HealingReinsKY.org.
● Additional financial assistance may be applied for by contacting horsesheal1@gmail.com.
● Third party payments are accepted. Contact horsesheal1@gmail.com for information
3. Attendance/Cancellation Policies
Healing Reins makes every effort to provide the best care for the horses, as well as respectful of the time, efforts and expectations of the volunteers, instructors and facilities managers. These efforts are costly and Healing Reins follows through with its commitment to the this large team, regardless of weather and other circumstances beyond our control. Therefore our cancellation policy is in line with industry standards.
● Canceled lessons due to weather, traffic or “acts of God” will not be refunded or made up.
● Canceled lessons by the participant for any reason will not be refunded or made up.
● When an unmounted lesson is offered as an alternative to a mounted lesson for any reason, and a participant decides not to attend, it will not be refunded or made up.
● Participants who arrive 15 minutes late WILL NOT be allowed to participate in their scheduled lesson and will forfeit their lesson due to Late Arrival.
● If an instructor or horse is unavailable for a lesson, Healing Reins will make all efforts to provide a safe substitution or an unmounted lesson.
● In the case of prior commitments (vacation, medical appointment, school function, etc.), the lesson can potentially be rescheduled if the instructor is notified at least 14 days in advance. The makeup lesson is not guaranteed to be with the same horse, instructor, or format (mounted or unmounted).
● If, after the beginning of a seasonal semester or quarter (year-round), a participant cancels the remainder of the paid lessons due to unplanned medical necessity with a doctor’s note or due to extreme hardship, partial refund or credit may be discussed with our Executive Director.
● Participants receiving financial assistance may be asked to forfeit their reserved lesson for the remainder of the semester if they have an unexcused absence or do not give notice of absence. Two or more unexcused absences will disqualify the participant from requesting financial assistance in the future.
4. Attire for Lessons
Proper attire is required to limit risk of injury to all those involved. If a participant arrives without proper riding attire for a mounted lesson, the lesson will change to unmounted for that day. If the lesson is a group lesson, the participant may be asked to assist with the lesson from the ground or simply observe.
● Unmounted lessons near horses require proper footwear: closed-toed shoes or boots—no crocs, slides or mules.
● Mounted lessons require.
a. proper footwear: closed-toed shoes or boots—no crocs, slides or mules
b. proper legwear: jeans, breeches, leggings or sweatpants—no shorts, capris, large rips, or slick-type pants.
c. Proper helmets: We provide helmets in a variety of sizes for participants to use. No bike helmets, equestrian helmets over 5 years old, damaged, or poorly fitted helmets are allowed. Year-round participants are asked to purchase their own helmet within the first 6 weeks of lessons.
5. Weight Policy
For the safety of our instructors, horses, and volunteers, Healing Reins has maximum weight limits for mounted activities. These limits may vary depending on horse availability, with 200lbs being the maximum.
● Healing Reins reserves the right to offer unmounted lessons to participants when an appropriate weight-bearing horse is unavailable or when the safety of the horse or participant is at risk.
● Participants who surpass the weight limit during the semester or quarter will participate in alternative lessons and will not receive a refund for any unmounted lessons.
6. Visitors, Cell Phones & Supervision
Healing Reins lessons take place on a working farm in the country. There are expectations for all visitors and participants to create a peaceful, safe. and efficient environment for all creatures—human or otherwise.
● 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.
● We welcome friends and family to come and observe lessons with the following expectations met:
a. Horses ALWAYS have the right-of-way. Adults and children must understand that horses can cause enormous unintentional injury and damage to humans and belongings. You are a guest in their barn, please stay out of horse traffic paths.
b. All observers MUST stay quiet (do NOT talk on your phone) and not interfere with the participants during the lesson, or they will be asked to leave the observation area.
c. Observers are not allowed in the grooming/tacking area or the tackroom.
d. Children may not enter the barn unattended by an adult.
e. There are sitting areas and play areas available on the patio and other designated areas. Children must not be allowed to kick or throw rocks anywhere near the buildings.
f. Violations of these expectations will result in visitors being required to stay in vehicles.
g. No visiting dogs allowed.
h. Do not feed horses.
7. Photo/Video Policy
Parents, caregivers, family members, and other observers may only take photos or videos during lessons with the permission of the instructor. Not all participants consent to having their photo or video made.
8. Participant, Visitor, and Volunteer Discharge
Participation in Healing Reins services or events is not guaranteed. If a participant, visitor or volunteer violates any of the above policies, they may be asked to discontinue the relationship with Healing Reins. Some instances that may result in immediate discharge, without refund:
● Uncontrolled and inappropriate behavior that constitutes a safety risk.
● Any change in participant’s medical, physical, cognitive or emotional condition that makes adaptive horsemanship inappropriate.
● Two or more no shows for scheduled lessons.
● Endangering the safety of others.
● Inappropriate use of the facilities, mailing lists or monies.
● Disruptive or abusive behavior to the animals or people at Healing Reins.
● Harassment of, or inappropriate behavior toward any volunteer, participant, or staff member.
● Repeated disregard of the organization’s rules, policies and procedures.
● Possession of a weapon during a lesson.
● Being impaired while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
● Theft
Healing Reins will take appropriate measures, including calling the police department if a staff person suspects that a participant, visitor or volunteer is disturbing and under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
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.