Using my horse for pony rides

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sandr

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It was asked at the fun day meeting if i could use my horse for pony rides - i have NO idea!!!

Technically, yes, horse would be fine, he is 100% safe, young kids have ridden him before.

But would his / their insurance cover us? what would be the practicalities be - obvious one being hats and body protectors?

I'm guessing its a complete no no, but thought id ask before we completely write the idea off!

Thank you.
 
We used to do it about 15yrs ago but that was before the world got H&S conscious and risk adverse! Nowadays if the school(?) are happy then it should be fine- just be sure to get the parents of the child riding to sign a short paragraph explaining horses are living creatures and could spook, kick, bite etc just to cover yourself
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I looked into this, no one would even look at insuring us unless I was qualified upto AI and held a riding school certificate, I'm not and I dont so that was the end of it!!
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I did it for a private party for family friends. I told them I would be happy to do pony rides for the kiddies up until the point ponio got bored. Which she soon let me know my biting my shoulder and dragging her hoof down the back of my leg!

I didn't have cover or anything, but to be honest I didn't think about it as it was for friends!
 
Things may have changed but it used to be OK to just ask for ''suggested donation to...............' but do not charge for the ride.
Hats yes--BPs debatable
Maybe check with your horse insurers or BHS legal helpline if you are a member

It seems very sad that in these litigious times kids dont get to have a bit of fun
 
When I was in primary school (about 8 years ago - God that makes me feel young!
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) my friend's mum used to bring her pony in for the school summer fete to do pony rides. Being a rural school, half the kids there knew how to ride and had their own hats and whatnot anyway. As far as I'm aware, she didn't have any special insurance - maybe the school's insurance covered it, I don't know. Mind you, it was quite a small, friendly school where I can't imagine anyone suing even if something did happen, so she probably didn't bother with insurance at all!
 
I wouldn't do it. You don't expect nice people to sue, and they don't, until something goes wrong. Disclaimers signed by the parents aren't worth the paper they are written on. Most kids won't be wearing safe footwear and how many hats can be found to make sure they all wear one that fits correctly and meets current standards?
I know, that's a miserable pouring of cold water on the idea, but personally I wouldn't risk it in today's blame culture.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I wouldn't do it. You don't expect nice people to sue, and they don't, until something goes wrong. Disclaimers signed by the parents aren't worth the paper they are written on. Most kids won't be wearing safe footwear and how many hats can be found to make sure they all wear one that fits correctly and meets current standards?
I know, that's a miserable pouring of cold water on the idea, but personally I wouldn't risk it in today's blame culture.

[/ QUOTE ]

I's 2nd that. It's fine to say 'there nice people' or 'I know them so they wont sue' but people change when bad things happen. Maybe if a kid had a little fall or a foot got stood on they wouldnt sue but if (a bit dramatic but could happen) a child was killed it would be a very different story! I would love to do pony treks, we live in the perfect place and I have some wonderful ponys but it's just not worth the risk. If I could find someone to insure it I think the premiums would be that high it would be hard to break even.
 
You will need a Riding School licence, which takes time (and money) to obtain, and requires a veterinary inspecion and a Council Inspection. It will not really be worth the time and money for one or two days work. Insurance will also be expensive.
 
Bleedin' health and safety's such a nightmare :-( I used two of my ponies for pony rides at my former primary school. This must have been about 10 years ago. I don't remember there being any formailities, my former headmaster knew we had ponies and asked if we would be willing to pony rides at the June fair. Of course, being kids with ponies my sister and I jumped at the chance to earn a few quid. The first one went well, a year later we did it again - however some idiot kicked a football in the direction of the ponies, and it went right underneath Misty whom I was leading at the time. Got dragged across the field with a kid on board and ended up with a nice hole in the inside of my ankle. Thankfully the kid was fine :-)

Strange how times change, 10 years ago I don't think anyone would consider suing anyone else. I was loaning Penny (11.3hh) to a little'un, her mum was leading her around. Penny stood still when asked and the kid just dropped off. Broken elbow - I came out of the tack room and it was swinging both ways, poor kid :-( She went to the hospital and had it operated on, luckily it was fine in the end. Dread to think that these days I could have been sued!

Sorry for the rant!
 
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