Effective 2009 – 2010 Season

All staff/helpers are restricted to personal cellphone use during breaks only and definitely not whilst on treks, either walking or ridden.

All staff/helpers will be trained by an experienced member of staff/helper in the correct fitting of safety helmets.

All staff/helpers must wear safety helmets whilst riding and giving the safety demonstration prior to clients being mounted.

All staff/helpers must be familiar with Risk Assessment and Management Strategy (RAMS) and agree to abide by it.

All staff/helpers unfamiliar with handling/grooming/saddling etc must accept instruction from an experienced member of staff or the owners prior to carrying out these duties. These duties will then be subject to inspection by an experienced member of staff or helper until they are deemed to be competent.

All staff/helpers who are experienced horse people are instructed/trained in their responsibilities to the clients prior to going out with clients and initially must ride on at least five treks with another experienced member of staff/helper prior to taking out any clients.

All staff/helpers that are experienced horse people must have taken out at least five beginner treks prior to taking out an intermediate trek.

All staff/helpers that are experienced horse people must, either have taken out at least two intermediate treks prior to taking out an experienced trek, or ride as an assistant/observer on at least two experienced treks with another experienced member of staff/helper prior to taking out an experienced trek by themselves.

Any staff/helper under the age of 16 is not permitted to take paying clients on a trek.

All staff/helpers who are experienced enough to take out a trek, takes responsibility for the safety of both the clients and the horses.

All staff/helpers must report any incident to the owners as soon as possible and enter the incident into both the trek guides log-book and the incident book within 24 hours of the incident occurring.

All full time staff must have a current First Aid Certificate.

All staff/helpers who are experienced enough to take out treks must be familiar with the written policy of matching horses to riders.

All full time staff must participate in a mock incident annually to test the safety procedures that are in place.

All staff/helpers are required to be pleasant and friendly to all clients. Any difficulties with clients must be reported to the owners as soon as possible after they have occurred.

Trek leaders have the right to discontinue any trek if they feel that the safety of the clients is compromised. They also have the right to inform clients that they will do this to protect the safety of all riders.

This policy will be reviewed on 1st May 2008.

View RAMS policy

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