Trail Ride Rules:

* No stallions or dogs allowed.
* All horses and riders need to be well mannered. No hot horses allowed. All horses need to be calm around other horses and able to cross water and bridges. Participants must be prepared to take necessary means to keep their horse under control.
* Red ribbons are REQUIRED for all known kickers.
* No young horses in training or ponying additional horses.
* No double riding, each rider must have his or her own capable horse.
* Ride at your own risk. HCYR will not be responsible for accidents that might occur to you or your equine.
* This is a technical trail ride on rugged terrain. No old horses or not fully broken. Horse and rider need to be in ample shape for steep inclines and rocky terrain.
*This ride is for intermediate and advanced riders, not for beginners.
* Wranglers will be on hand to help guide, direct and assist in a situation if your horse will not pass an obstacle, and may ask anyone to step off and walk a horse across, or correct any participant behavior. In any instance, Trail Boss will have final say for the safety of the group.
* Use of non-skid shoes and boots are recommended on horses; this is rocky terrain with steep inclines in areas and some thorny vegetation along the route.
* Current Coggins is required at check in.
* This event takes place at a dry time of year. Absolutely NO SMOKING. Any campfires must be contained so as not to cause pasture fires.
* No alcohol is to be consumed during the ride. There will be adult beverages (beer/wine) at Ranch Manager’s home and at the barn dinner after the ride. You may BYOB at your own trailer camp, if staying across the river in the field behind Ranch Manager’s house or at the campground across the highway.
* There will be accompanying ATV’s with supplies for the ride. Horses should be desensitized to being around ATV’s.
* We will have first aid kits for participants and horses, but are not liable or equipped for any major medical issues.
* ATV’s at back of trail ride will carry water, first aid supplies and be available to shuttle anyone back who needs it.
* Riders must NOT throw any trash along the trail. ATV’s will have trash bags available.
* No firearm may be carried by any participant of this event.
* There shall be no public use of indecent language.
* Each participant is responsible for keeping control of their horse/horses while at camp.
* BSRC has a limited number of stalls and turnouts available on a first come, first served basis. Each rider/horse owner is responsible for keeping their horse in their area whether in a stall, turnout, tied to their trailer or in their own pen at their trailer.
*Trail Boss has final say over all rules and decisions connected to event.

Any infraction of the above rules is grounds to remove a participant from the event


WAIVER & RELEASE OF LIABILITY FOR BIG SPRINGS RANCH
EQUESTRIAN TRAIL RIDE

Under Texas law (Chapter 87, Civil Practice and Remedies Code), an equine professional is not liable for an injury to or death of a participant in equine activities resulting from the inherent risks of equine activities.

This is a Waiver of Your Legal Rights, and an Agreement Not to Sue Hill Country Youth Ranch DBA: Big Springs Ranch for Children.
Serious Injury or Death May Result from Riding or Being Near Horses.

1. Liability Release

In consideration for Hill Country Youth Ranch (dba Big Springs Ranch for Children) allowing me to voluntarily participate in activities at Big Springs Ranch for Children, I agree as follows:

a. I hereby release, waive, and discharge Hill Country Youth Ranch (dba Big Springs Ranch for Children), Hill Country Youth Ranch Foundation, and their respective agents, volunteers, employees, residents, students, officers, directors, trustees and successors (collectively, “Released Parties”) from any and all liability, claims, demands, losses, injuries or damages arising from my participation in activities (including equestrian activities, such as riding use of, or being near horses, whether at an arena, stable, or on a trail ride) at Big Springs Ranch for Children, WHETHER CAUSED IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY THE NEGLIGENCE OF A RELEASED PARTY, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, NEGLIGENT RESCUE, FIRST AID OR EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE.
b. I shall not bring any legal lawsuit, action or proceeding against, and hereby covenant not to sue, any Released Parties, even if they engage in negligent conduct.

c. This agreement, waiver and release shall be binding on myself, my spouse, my children and/or ward, heirs, executors, administrators, successors, representatives and assigns.

2. Activity Risk
I understand that some activities at Big Springs Ranch for Children take place in isolated or wilderness areas over rough terrain, and/or trails of unknown condition. I also understand that horseback riding is a rugged adventure, recreation sport activity. I am aware that there are numerous obvious and non-obvious inherent risks of serious injury or death, or property damage, to me or my horse, which are always present in such activities, on or near horses. I understand that pregnant women are specifically advised to not ride horses. I fully accept and assume all such risks and all responsibility for losses, expenses, costs, bodily injuries, death, property damage and other damages that I may incur while on the Big Springs Ranch for Children.

3. Nature of Horses
I understand that no horse is completely safe, and the Released Parties make no representations or guarantees regarding the safety, training or suitability of any horse. Horses are 5 to 15 times larger, 20 to 40 times more powerful, and 3 to 4 times faster than a human. If I fall from a horse to the ground, it will generally be from a distance of 4 to 6 feet, and the impact will injure me. A horse may divert from its training and act according to its natural survival instincts and may abruptly change directions or speed, trip, slip, fall, stop short, shift its weight, buck, rear, kick, bite, spook, or run from what it perceives to be a danger if it is frightened or provoked, or for no reason whatsoever.

4. Conditions of Nature & Locations
I agree that the Released Parties are not responsible for acts, occurrences, or elements of nature or a particular location that can injure a person or scare a horse, cause it to trip, fall or react in some other manner. These elements include thunder, lightning, rain, wind, wild and domestic animals or insects, other people and horses and reptiles. The aforementioned elements may walk, run, fly near, bite and/or sting a horse or person. Irregular footing on groomed or wild land is subject to constant change according to weather, temperature, natural and man-made objects. The Released Parties make no representations or warranties concerning the safety or condition of any trail or other location on Big Springs Ranch for Children.

5. Helmet Warning
I am aware that protective head gear which meets or exceeds the quality standers of the SEI certified and ASTM standard F1163 equestrian helmet, should be purchased and worn by me while riding and being near horses. I also understand the wearing of such helmet may reduce the severity of some head injuries and may prevent my serious injury or death as a result of a fall or other occurrence. If I do not wear a helmet, it is because I choose not to do so.

I HAVE READ, UNDERSTOOD AND VOLUNTARILY AGREE TO THIS WAIVER & RELEASE. I FURTHER AGREE THAT NO ORAL STATEMENTS, REPRESENTATIONS OR INDUCEMENTS APART FROM THIS WRITTEN AGREEMENT HAVE BEEN MADE TO ME TO OBTAIN MY CONSENT.