Equine Safety & Liability Notice

Inherent Risks of Equine Activities

Equine-assisted activities involve interaction with horses, which are large, unpredictable animals. Inherent risks include, but are not limited to:

• Unpredictable behavior by a horse in response to sudden movement, sound, or other stimuli.
• Hazards of the ground surface, including uneven terrain, mud, and natural obstacles.
• Falls from a horse or from horse-related equipment.
• Injury from contact with a horse, including biting, kicking, or crushing.
• Failure of tack or equipment.

Participation in any equine activity at Faith Reins requires a signed assumption-of-risk and informed consent form, which families complete as part of the intake process.

Safety Practices

Faith Reins takes the safety of every participant, volunteer, and staff member seriously. Our practices include:

• Helmets required: ASTM/SEI-certified helmets are required for all mounted activities and are provided by Faith Reins at no charge. Participants may bring their own properly fitted, certified helmet.
• Qualified staff: All equine activities are led or directly supervised by trained staff members who hold relevant equine-assisted services credentials.
• Horse evaluation: Our horses are selected and regularly evaluated for temperament, health, and suitability for therapeutic work.
• Ground rules: Participants and observers are briefed on safe behavior around horses before every session—no running, no sudden loud noises, and no approaching a horse from behind.
• Participant-to-staff ratios: Staffing ratios are maintained to ensure each participant receives appropriate supervision during equine activities.
• Medical information: We collect relevant medical and behavioral information during intake to ensure each child's safety plan is individualized.

Observer Safety

Family members and observers are welcome to watch sessions from designated viewing areas. Observers must remain in those areas during equine activities and follow staff directions at all times. Children who are not participants must be supervised by a parent or guardian and may not enter the horse areas without staff permission.

Incident Reporting

Any injury, near-miss, or unsafe condition must be reported to a Faith Reins staff member immediately. All incidents are documented and reviewed. We take every report seriously as part of our commitment to continuous safety improvement.

Questions

If you have questions about our safety practices, our horses, or what to expect during an equine session, please ask your care coordinator or contact us before your first visit.