Therapeutic Riding Inquiry Form

CLIENT/PARTICIPANT LIABILITY RELEASE

In consideration of my/my child’s/my ward’s participation in any equine or other day adventure or volunteer related activities at Horses for Hope TRC, Inc., hereafter known as “HfH”, I hereby release and waive my rights to sue HfH, the Staff or Board of Directors of HfH, and the owner of the farm property, for any loss, damage, injury or death to person or property sustained by me/my child/my ward in equine or other activities by any cause whatsoever including risks inherent in equine or other activities, such as, but not limited to, (1) the propensity for equines to behave in dangerous ways which may result in injury or death to a participant or bystander, or damage to property; (2) the inability to predict an equine’s reaction to sound, movements, objects, persons, or animals; and (3) the hazards of surface or subsurface conditions, whether known or unknown, of the farm, arena, playground, or barn environment. I assume all of the foregoing risks inherent in equine and other activities and accept complete responsibility relating to those risks and any other potential risks of horseback riding, recreational equine activities, horse shows, adventures, working with horses, maintenance, or volunteer activities. I feel that the possible benefits to me/my child/my ward are greater than the risk assumed. I hereby, intending to be legally bound for myself, my heirs and assigns, executors or administrators, waive and release forever all claims for damages against HfH, its staff and Board of Directors, Instructors, Therapists, Aides, Volunteers, Employees, horse owners and the owner of the farm property, from and against, any and all loss, damage, injury, or death, to person or property, by whatever cause, including any act of omission. I agree to indemnify HfH, and the owner of the farm property against all claims, demands, suits, and expenses arising out of any injury to any person or damage to any property caused by my animals, attendants, or myself/my children/my wards. This waiver shall be valid until expressly revoked in writing by a legally appointed guardian or myself. 

HORSES FOR HOPE BARN RULES

Horses for Hope, (HfH), is a multiuse, family-friendly equestrian center. Safety is paramount. With this in mind, all participants, volunteers, staff and visitors will adhere to the following rules and guidelines:

1. NO OPEN-TOED SHOES ALLOWED – No one is allowed through the walk-thru gate with open-toed shoes,open-heeled shoes, or hole(s) of any kind in the shoes – this applies to EVERYONE, including riders, siblings, parents, visitors, etc., so please inform your guests before they come onto HfH property. THIS IS A SAFETY REQUIREMENT!
2. All RIDERS MUST WEAR SMOOTH, HARD-SOLED SHOES OR BOOTS WITH AT LEAST A ½ INCH HEEL.
3. SIGN IN – Volunteers must sign in with the date and time of arrival on the sign-in sheet and sign out when leaving; this includes Visitors, Boarders, and Volunteer participants. There are several people who use this facility. We are open to the road so if anything seems amiss, make a note of it so that we can take appropriate steps to prevent theft or damage to the property.
4. NO “BORROWING” – Do not use any tack items that are not yours personally. Those participating in the HfH Program may use the HfH items designated for the particular horse you are working with.
5. NO BURNING – No burning or open flame within 150 feet of the barns and surrounding structures and trees. These old buildings are tinderboxes!
6. NO SMOKING/VAPING ON HfH PREMISES – This is AN INSURANCE REQUIREMENT. Smoking/vaping is not allowed on any part of HfH property. Please be sure you inform any guests you may bring/invite to watch or observe HfH activities.
7. DO NOT HANDLE ANY HORSE AT ANY TIME UNTIL YOU HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED BY HfH – You may obtain a ground certification after being trained and passing an HfH “Ground Work” test administered by HfH Staff.
8. ONLY HANDLE HORSE USING THE “BUDDY SYSTEM” – Always handle horses in groups of 2 to 3 people. ALL members of the group must be ground certified or an approved student in an HfH lesson program.
9. DO NOT FEED ANY HORSE – You must be an HfH approved feeder to feed horses. If you have a treat you would like to give a horse you MUST get approval by an HfH staff member and MUST NOT feed by hand – you must place the treat in the horse’s feed tub.
10. DO NOT RIDE UNLESS YOU ARE UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF AN INSTRUCTOR – You must be enrolled in an HfH lesson program to be able to ride and must ONLY ride while under an instructor’s supervision.
11. PHONE READY – While HfH staff members have cell phones ready in case of an emergency, if possible, have your own cell phone ready, too, in case of an emergency. After calling the authorities (or ambulance, 911, etc.), then place a call to the HfH emergency contact (see posted list). Cell phone usage or videoing is NOT allowed during lessons, while working with horses, or handling horses.
12. NO WEAPONS ALLOWED – No displayed or concealed weapons (guns, knives, etc.) are permitted on the premises!
13. FAMILY ENVIRONMENT – We are a family-friendly organization that has a few do’s and don’ts:
a. DO HELP each other out.
b. DO PUT THINGS BACK where you found them.
c. DO ACT KINDLY to one another (horse or human).
d. DON’T USE PROFANITY (especially around young children).
e. DON’T SET FOOT ON ANY HfH PROPERTY WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS nor bring any alcohol or drugs onto the premises.

I have read and do understand the Horses for Hope (HfH) rules stated
above. I will obey these rules and any other rules posted at HfH facilities whenever I attend, participate, volunteer, and/or work at HfH. My signature indicates that I will abide by these rules throughout my time with Horses for Hope. Failure to do so can result in the termination of my privilege of volunteering, participating, boarding, and/or visiting this equestrian center as deemed necessary by the Board of Directors of HfH.

HORSE RELATED ACTIVITIES COME WITH THIS WARNING

SECTION A. Protective Attire
1. I am hereby advised to always wear hard-soled, fully enclosed shoes or boots and socks to protect feet and long pants to protect legs
while working around or interacting with horses.

SECTION B. The Nature and Physical Character of the Horse

Domesticated, well-trained horses are usually obedient, docile, and affectionate. However, it is important to understand that their survival instincts are what have allowed the horse to survive from
prehistoric times to the present day.

1. I am advised that horses are unpredictable by nature, with minds of their own, as are all animals both domestic and wild. The horse is
often somewhat high strung or nervous by nature. Horses are extremely strong and physically powerful. Horses are extremely heavy,
weighing from 600 to 1300 pounds on average. These characteristics deserve a human being’s utmost respect.
2. I am advised that when a horse is frightened, angry, under stress or feels threatened, it is the horse’s instinct to jump forward or
sideways, to run away from danger at a trot or gallop of speeds up to 35 miles per hour.
3. I am advised that if a horse is frightened or feels threatened from behind, the horse may kick straight back, sideways in either direction or
even forward with either or both hind legs with tremendous force.
4. I am advised that if a horse is frightened or feels threatened from above or from his/her back, he/she may hunch the back and buck in a
way that could throw a rider to the ground with tremendous force. A fall from a horse will usually be from a height of 3 to 6 feet.
5. I am advised that if a horse is frightened or feels threatened from the front, the natural reaction may be to rear up with both front legs,
strike with one or both front legs, bite with teeth, throw the head up or from side to side, or run directly over whatever he/she fears in
front of him/her.
6. I am advised that a human must always approach a horse calmly and quietly with caution, preferably to the horse’s shoulder or lower
neck, talking soothingly to the horse.
7. I am advised that loud and/or sudden unexpected movements, dropping of objects near a horse, approaching vehicles or animals or
people, ill- fitting equipment or physical pain can provoke a domesticated horse to react according to natural, protective instincts.
8. I am advised that the first signs of anger or fear in a horse are the sudden tensing of the muscles of the body, possibly laying the ears flat
back against the head, or quickly tossing or raising the head, or sudden snorting through the nostrils accompanying at least one other
warning sign.
9. I am advised that a horse can see independently with each eye, actually looking in one direction with one eye and another direction with
the other eye. The horse can also focus both eyes on one object somewhere in front of him/her. Typically, the direction the ear is pointing
will tell an observer where the eye is looking on the same side.
10. I am advised that a horse has two blind areas around which he/she cannot see. Those areas are directly behind the horse and directly in
front. When a horse has his/her head lowered to the ground, the spot directly at the end of the nostrils is a blind area. This is the reason it
is best to approach a horse close to the shoulder, and never to surprise a horse from the rear, or to reach first for the horse’s mouth.
11. I am advised that while a horse is very sure-footed by nature, horses may accidentally step on an object such as a human’s foot when the
horse is balancing or turning around. When a horse is worked on unstable ground or slippery grass or footing, the horse could fall injuring
the horse, rider and /or handler.

WARNING - "Under North Carolina law, an equine activity sponsor or equine professional is not liable for an injury to or the death of a participant in equine activities resulting exclusively from the inherent risks of equine activities." (Chapter 99E of the North Carolina General Statutes)