HORSE RELATED ACTIVITIES COME WITH THIS WARNING

PROTECTIVE ATTIRE

I am hereby advised to purchase and wear a well-fitted ASTM approved equestrian helmet fastened securely under the chin, while working around or riding horses to prevent injuries.

I am hereby advised to always wear hard-soled fully enclosed boots with a minimum 1” heel and socks to protect feet and long pants to protect legs while working around or riding horses.

THE NATURE AND PHSICAL CHARACTER OF THE HORSE

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

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 powerful physically.  Horses are extremely heavy weighing from 600-1300 pounds on the average.  These characteristics deserve a human being’s utmost respect.

I am advised that when a horse is frightened or feels threatened from behind, it may kick straight back, sideways in either direction, or even forward with either of its hind legs with tremendous force.

I am advised that if a horse is frightened or feels threatened from above it or on its back, it may hunch its 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.

I am advised that if a horse is frightened or feels threatened from the front, it may naturally react by rearing up with its front legs, strike with one or both legs, bite with its teeth, throw its head up or from side to side, or run directly over whatever it fears in front of it.

I am advised that a human must always approach a horse calmly and quietly and cautiously, preferably from its shoulder or lower neck, talking soothingly to it.

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 his natural instincts. 

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 its ears flat back against its head, or quickly tossing or raising its head, or sudden snorting through the nostrils accompanying at least one other warning sign.

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, or it can focus both eyes on one object somewhere n front of it; that usually the direction the ear is pointing will tell an observer where the eye is looking on the same side, and consequently on what the horse is likely concentrating on at that moment.

I have been advised that a horse has two blind areas around it which it cannot see.  It cannot see directly behind it, nor what it is eating.  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.

I have been advised that while a horse is very sure-footed by nature, it may accidentally step on an object such as a human foot, when it is balancing itself or turning about; also that if a horse is ridden or worked on unstable ground or slipper grass or footing it could fall down injuring a rider or handler.

Please write out the following statement on the lines below:

“I have read and do understand the above warnings concerning protective attire and the nature and physical character of the horse.”

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Signed__________________________________________ Date____________________

Guardian or Parents for:            1._____________________________

                                                2._____________________________

                                                3._____________________________

Name and address of stable:  Sundance Farm, N6329 Branch Road, Plymouth, WI 53073