The ride

Horses are living animals and can behave unpredictably, however well trained they are. This notice explains the risks you accept when you ride, lead or handle a horse, or spend time in the yard. Please read it together with our terms & conditions. By booking a session and attending it, you accept this notice. Riders under 18 need a parent or guardian to accept it on their behalf and to stay for the whole session.

Nothing in this notice limits our responsibility for death or injury caused by our negligence, or for fraud. It covers only the risks that remain when a yard is run with proper care.

The risks of riding

Riding, handling horses and being in a stable yard all carry real risk. Horses are strong and can react unexpectedly. Any horse may shy, buck, bolt, kick, bite, stumble or refuse, even one that has never done so before. Ground conditions can change during the day. Any jump can end in a fall. Experience reduces these risks, but it never removes them.

Injuries can include bruising, broken bones, concussion, spinal injury, trampling and death. Tack can break. Other riders, horses and people can be hurt. This can happen even when we, the horse and you have all taken proper care.

Our horses are well cared for and well trained, but they are still horses, with the nature described above.

Your responsibilities

Once your session starts, your seat, hands and judgement are your responsibility. Mount, dismount and handle the horse as instructed. Tell us before you mount if you are nervous, unwell, in pain, pregnant, recently concussed, or have been advised not to ride. Tell us if the saddle feels wrong. Be honest about your riding level.

By attending, you confirm that you are fit for the session you booked, and that you are not under the influence of alcohol or any drug that affects your balance or judgement. If you are, please do not come, and do not ride.

Safety equipment, and our right to refuse

Wear a correctly fitted and fastened riding hat that meets a current standard (PAS 015, VG1, or any standard we require at the time), unless we have agreed otherwise in writing. Even then, we may refuse to let you ride without one. Wear a body protector if we ask you to. Do not loosen the girth, bit or any strap unless asked. Wear footwear with a heel (no trainers) and clothing that cannot get caught.

We may refuse a horse, a jump, a trail or a whole session. Our decision on the day is final.

Instruction

Instruction is given in good faith for that session and that horse. It cannot guarantee that you will not fall. If you feel unsafe, stop. No one will think less of you for it.

Our staff may lead, lunge or ride horses during your session, so please give them room. Never strike a horse. Only use spurs, a whip or voice commands as we have agreed with you.

Liability, release and insurance

You accept the risks that come with horses and riding. We are not responsible for injury, death or loss caused by those risks, by your not following instructions, or by your own horse.

You release us and our staff from claims arising from your session, except claims for death or injury caused by our negligence, or for fraud.

You agree to cover any loss we suffer because you broke these rules, or because of your own horse or someone you brought with you, except where the loss was caused by our negligence.

Please have your own riding insurance, and insurance for any horse you bring. We hold the insurance we consider appropriate, but this does not mean you are named on our policies.

Injury and first aid

If you are injured, we may call a doctor or an ambulance and give first aid where we can. You are responsible for the cost of any treatment. Tell us about any allergies, any medical condition a first-aider should know about, and who to contact in an emergency. If you choose not to, whoever helps you will be doing so without that information.

About this notice

If any part of this notice cannot apply, the rest still does. It binds you, and your parent or guardian if you are under 18.

Signing on the day confirms that you accept this notice. If you attend without signing, you still accept it, provided you have had a fair chance to read it. This page is that chance.

If you cannot accept these risks, please do not book a ride. If you can, we look forward to hearing from you. Please arrive a few minutes early.