1. Definitions
In this document:
- “The Club” means Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.
- “The Programme” means the Therapeutic Equine Programme run by the Club, including all mounted, ground-based and non-riding activities.
- “Participant” means any person who takes part in the Programme as a client, whether in a mounted, ground-based or non-riding activity.
- “Volunteer” means any person who gives their time to support the Programme without payment, including side-walkers, horse leaders and general helpers.
- “Parent or Guardian” means the parent, legal guardian or other person with legal authority to consent on behalf of a Participant or Volunteer who is under 18, or who is otherwise unable to consent for themselves.
- “Staff” means the Club’s instructors, coaches, grooms and other employees working on the Programme.
- “Visitor” means anyone attending the Club in connection with the Programme who is not a Participant, Volunteer or member of Staff, including family members and carers.
- “You” means the Participant or Volunteer, or the Parent or Guardian acting on their behalf, as the context requires.
2. Risks of horse riding and working around horses
Horses are large, powerful animals and may behave unpredictably, even when properly trained and supervised. Horse riding and related activities, including leading, grooming and working on the ground around horses, involve inherent risks, including falls, kicks, bites, being stepped on, and other injuries. These risks cannot be entirely eliminated despite appropriate safety precautions.
By taking part in the Programme as a Participant or Volunteer, or by allowing a person in your care to do so, you acknowledge that you understand and accept these inherent risks and voluntarily consent to that participation, subject to the Club’s applicable safety procedures and legal obligations.
3. Health information
Participants, or their Parents or Guardians, must provide accurate and complete information about any medical conditions, allergies, medications, injuries, disabilities, mobility, sensory or behavioural needs that may affect safety or participation, and must promptly notify the Club of any changes.
Volunteers must tell the Club about any health condition, injury or limitation that may affect their ability to carry out their role safely, and must promptly notify the Club of any changes.
The Club may request medical clearance where reasonably necessary and may refuse, suspend or discontinue participation or volunteering where it reasonably considers that continuing may pose a safety risk to the individual, others or the horses.
Personal and health information provided in connection with the Programme will be handled confidentially and processed for purposes relating to participation, safety, safeguarding and emergencies, in accordance with applicable data protection laws.
Taking part in the Programme does not constitute medical treatment and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
4. Health and safety
- Approved, correctly fitted riding hats must always be worn around the horses. We provide hats if needed.
- Closed shoes with a small heel, such as boots or sturdy trainers, must be worn. No sandals or flip flops.
- Long hair must be tied back. Please avoid loose clothing, scarves and jewellery.
- Participants must always stay with their instructor, helper or Volunteer, and must never enter a stable, field or arena alone. Volunteers must not enter these areas alone while on duty unless asked to by Staff.
- Participants and Volunteers must follow Staff instructions straight away.
- Please refrain from running, shouting or sudden movements that may spook horses.
- Volunteers must only carry out tasks and use equipment they have been trained and cleared to use, and should ask Staff if they are unsure.
- Parents, Guardians and Visitors must stay in designated areas and must not feed or touch the horses unless an instructor says it is safe.
- In the event of an emergency, the Club may provide first aid, contact emergency services and arrange for urgent medical assistance where necessary. The Club will make reasonable efforts to contact the Parent or Guardian, or the emergency contact on record, as soon as practicable. Any medical treatment shall be determined and provided by qualified healthcare professionals in accordance with applicable law.
5. Safeguarding
The Club is committed to safeguarding the safety, dignity and wellbeing of all Participants, including children and people of determination, and of everyone involved in its activities.
Any concerns relating to a person’s safety or welfare will be addressed in accordance with the Club’s safeguarding procedures and applicable child protection laws and regulations, including reporting to the relevant authorities where required.
All Volunteers must complete the Club’s safeguarding screening and training before working with Participants, and must follow the Club’s code of conduct, including its rules on physical contact, personal care, supervision, photography and communication. Anyone who has a safeguarding concern should raise it with the Club’s safeguarding lead or a member of management at the earliest opportunity.
Photographs or videos of any person will only be taken and used in accordance with applicable data protection requirements and the Club’s consent procedures.
6. Removal from the horse or activity
Safety always comes first. An instructor may remove a Participant from the horse, or stop or end a session or activity, at any time if the Participant is unsafe, distressed or unwell, cannot follow safety instructions, puts themselves, others or the horse at risk, or if the horse or conditions are unsafe. In the same way, Staff may ask a Volunteer to step back from a task or end their shift for any of these reasons. This decision is final on the day.
We will always explain what happened and talk with the Participant, Volunteer or Parent or Guardian about next steps. Repeated safety concerns may mean extra support is needed, or that a Participant’s or Volunteer’s place is reviewed.
7. Terms and conditions
- Please give at least 48 hours’ notice if a Participant or Volunteer cannot attend. We do not offer make-up sessions. If a Participant misses a session, they will continue with their lessons the following week.
- Please arrive on time. Sessions will not be extended for late arrivals.
- Sessions may be changed or cancelled due to weather, heat, horse welfare or staffing.
- A Parent, Guardian or carer must stay on site during a Participant’s session unless agreed with us in advance.
- Volunteers act under the direction of Staff at all times and should not give instruction or advice to Participants beyond the role they have been asked to carry out.
- The Club reserves the right to refuse, suspend or withdraw participation or volunteering where reasonably necessary for safety, safeguarding or repeated non-compliance with this Policy.