Required to be signed prior to participation
Hope & Horse Society
Policy & Conduct
- The Society has the right to refuse service or cancel participation at any point due to poor conduct, damage to property, disregard of directions, refusal to follow safety measures and instructions, or abusive behavior towards animals or staff.
- Helmets and proper footwear are mandatory; helmets only needed for mounted activities
- Missed appointments: for a refund, you must provide notice of missed session 24 hours in advance.
- Lateness: there is a 15 minute grace period, any later and session is considered cancelled without refund.
- Unless it affects safe travel to site or safe participation (e.g. snowstorm, severe ice, temperatures below -20 Celsius), program will continue to operate in less desirable weather conditions, and this is not viewed as reason to cancel on short notice or be refunded.
- Questions regarding mental health and physical abilities are intended to ensure participant safety and appropriateness for the program and will be used for this purpose only.
- This program is run on goodwill and relies on the honesty and integrity of clients to continue to operate. The fees are adjusted based on household income and number of people living in the household, so people are not excluded based on their finances; however, horses are expensive, please be honest about your situation.
- Confidentiality Agreement: Personal information disclosed in the program will remain confidential, with the exception of threatening harm to self or others or revealing harm or risk to child or minor under 18 years old.
I have read the policies and expected conduct and agree to these terms.
_____________________________________________ (signature)
_____________________________________________ (signature of parent/guardian if child/youth under 18)
_______________________________________________ (date).
WAIVER
WAIVER, ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RISK, AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY
THIS AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS. READ IT CAREFULLY!
This document (the “Waiver”) is intended for adult participants or guardians of participants of the Hope & Horses Society. You are being asked to sign this Waiver because you or your child is participating in one-on-one horse-riding sessions and related activities, which may include but are not limited to interacting with horses, and any educational activities of the Hope & Horses Society (the “Activities”)
By entering into this Waiver, to the extent permitted by law, you agree to assume all risks, release all liability against, and agree not to advance any claim either on your behalf or your child’s behalf against the Hope & Horses Society, its owners, directors, officers, employees, volunteers, business operators, agents or the property owner(s) for which the Activities take place (collectively the “Host”) and agree to indemnify the Host for any losses that they may incur in relation to you or your child’s involvement in the Activities.
Review and initial each item below if you agree to these Waiver terms:
______ 1. I am an adult aged 19 or older or the legal guardian of the child participant. I am executing this Waiver on my behalf or on behalf of my child in my capacity as their legal guardian and with the intent that this waiver be binding on myself and, to the extent permitted by law, my child.
______ 2. I acknowledge that I am voluntarily entering into this Waiver, and I have voluntarily chosen to participate or have my child participate in the Activities.
______ 3. I am aware that there are inherent dangers, hazards and risks associated with my or my child’s involvement with the Activities, which include but are not limited to:
- The behaviour of horses as large, powerful animals, including bucking, rearing, bolting, kicking, biting, striking, trampling, crowding, sudden starts and stops, sidestepping, shying, and pushing into people or objects.
- Interactions among horses that may cause sudden movements or chain reactions.
- The unpredictability of horses’ reactions to sounds, movement, weather, wildlife, vehicles, unfamiliar people, other animals, and objects (including hidden hazards), which may result in loss of control, collision, or falls.
- Groundwork and handling risks, including haltering, leading, tying, grooming, hoof-handling, and feeding, as well as mounting and dismounting, which may result in falls, being stepped on, knocked down, or crushed against a fixed object.
- Riding risks including loss of balance or control, falling from a height, and collision with fences, gates, walls, mounting blocks, standards, jumps, posts, trees, or other fixed or moving objects.
- Tack, equipment, or apparel failure, malfunction, improper fit, or improper use (including saddles, bridles, girths, halters, lead ropes, helmets, and footwear), and the increased risk of injury that may result.
- Surface and environmental hazards, including uneven or slippery footing, mud, holes, rocks, ruts, dust, ice, snow, standing water, ponds, ditches, and changes in elevation within barns, arenas, paddocks, and surrounding grounds.
- Weather-related conditions, including wind, rain, heat, cold, lightning, sun exposure and ultraviolet radiation, which may impair visibility, footing, or horse behaviour, and may cause dehydration, heat illness, or hypothermia.
- The presence and movement of vehicles, machinery, gates, electric fencing, tools, and other agricultural or facility equipment that may pose impact, entanglement, or pinch-point hazards.
- Zoonotic disease and infection risks from contact with horses, manure, bedding, tack, equipment, dust, or soil, including but not limited to ringworm, salmonella, and Escherichia coli, as well as tetanus.
- Allergic reactions or sensitivities related to horses, dander, hay, feed, bedding, dust, insects, and insect bites or stings; and the possibility of severe reactions requiring urgent medical care.
- Physical exertion, fatigue, muscle strain, and aggravation of pre-existing health conditions.
- Psychological impacts, including stress, anxiety, or emotional responses to unexpected events involving horses or the equine environment.
- The fact that helmets and other protective equipment may reduce, but not eliminate, the risk of injury or death.
(the “Risks”)
_____4. I acknowledge that Risks may lead to injury, including, but not limited to, crush injuries, strains, bruises, fractures, pulling or tearing a ligament or muscle, back or spinal cord injury, head and neck injury, internal injuries and bleeding; infections and illnesses, allergic reactions to animals, insects, feed, bedding, or environmental exposures, heat illness or hypothermia, psychological distress, and aggravation of pre-existing conditions, together with pain and suffering, permanent disability, medical and rehabilitative costs, and missed time from work or school. Property damage may include harm to clothing, eyewear, phones, and other personal effects. Despite these Risks, I am permitting myself or my child to take part in the Activities and in doing so, I freely accept and fully assume all responsibilities for all Risks and possibilities of any and all personal injury, death, property damage or loss resulting from my or my child’s involvement with the Activities.
_____5. In addition to consideration given to the Host for my or my child’s participation in the Activities, I and my next of kin, executors, administrators and assigns (my “Legal Representatives”) agree:
a) to waive all claims that I have or may have in the future against the Host;
b) to release and forever discharge the Host from all liability for any personal injury, death, property damage or loss that I, my child or Legal Representatives, might suffer as a result of my or my child’s participation in the Activities due to any cause, including but not limited to negligence, breach of any duty imposed by law, breach of contract or mistake or error in judgment of the Host; and
c) to be liable for and to hold harmless and indemnify the Host from all actions, proceedings, claims, damages, costs demands, including court costs and costs on a solicitor and own client basis, and liabilities of whatsoever nature or kind arising out of any way connected with my or my child’s participation in the Activities.
_____6. I agree that this Waiver and all terms contained herein are governed exclusively and in all respects by the laws of British Columbia. I irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of British Columbia.
_____ 7. I agree to immediately inform the Host of any change in my or my child’s health or medical condition that may affect safe participation in the Activities; to wear appropriate footwear (closed-toed for groundwork and closed, heeled footwear for riding) and a helmet when riding; and to follow all safety instructions and directions provided during lessons that are intended to help me remain safe. I understand that refusal to follow safety directions will result in the immediate cessation of lessons or participation.
_____8. I confirm that I have had sufficient time to read and understand this Waiver and that it is binding on me.
Please Print Clearly
Participant’s Name: __________________________ Date: _______________________
Signature: ________________________________ Date of Birth: _____________________ Address: _______________ City: ___________Prov _____ Postal Code: _______________
FOR PARTICIPANTS UNDER THE AGE OF 19, A PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN MUST SIGN BELOW
This is to certify that I,________________________________ (please print name) as guardian with legal responsibility for this participant, accept the risks stated in this Waiver, do consent and agree to the release, as provided above and I, for myself, the participant, any all Legal Representatives release and agree to fully indemnify the Host from any and all liabilities PERTAINING TO MY MINOR CHILD’S PARTICIPATION in the Activities, even if arising from the negligence of the Host. The initials in the above sections of this Waiver are my own. Before I signed this Waiver, I read it. I state that I understand it. I am aware that by signing this Waiver, I am waiving certain rights against the Releasees. If I die or my minor child dies, I am waiving all legal rights which my legal representative may have against the Host and which the participant may have against the Host.
Signature: ________________________________ Date: _______________________
