Safety Aspects of Horse-related Activities for online Students

 
SECTION A. Preparing for Practice Client Sessions

 
I acknowledge that I have been advised to ensure the following are all undertaken in respect of all practice client interactions.

 
A completed client information form – example form provided in Athena Herd Foundation training materials.
A liability waiver form signed and dated by each client – example form provided in the Athena Herd Foundation training materials.
Appropriate guidance provided to practice clients around protective attire for the sessions. Advice should always include the wearing of hard-soled, fully enclosed shoes or boots and socks to protect feet, and long trousers to protect legs while working around or interacting with horses. We also recommend that hard hats and protective gloves are also offered.
Further guidance should be provided in respect of appropriate clothing for weather conditions, this includes warm clothing in cold conditions and any necessary protection from direct sunlight.
If planning to work at a third-party venue I should obtain a clear outline of the services being provided by the venue and ensure understanding of all pertinent and applicable policies and procedures.

Section B. The Nature and Physical Character of the Horse

Domesticated, well-trained horses are usually obedient, docile and affectionate; however, it is important to understand that their innate survival instincts. The following information has been collated with your safety, and the safety of your practice clients, in mind. We recommend you that act on the following advice when working with practice clients around horses.

 
In facilitating activities alongside horses, I understand and accept that there are unavoidable inherent risks including but not limited to bodily injury, physical harm, loss of property, damage or loss of lives. I am advised that horses:

 
can be unpredictable by nature, with minds of their own, as are all animals both domestic and wild.
can be very responsive to human energy so be aware of how anyone in the interaction is feeling;
when frightened, angry, under stress or feels threatened, it is the horse’s instinct to move forward or sideways, to run away from danger or gallop to safety. Please be aware of your position / where you are standing when around horses. I am advised not to stand between multiple horses. I am advised to stand out of the way of the horses flight path;
if frightened or feeling threatened from behind, may kick out. Please be aware of your and your client’s distance;
should always be approached calmly and quietly with caution, preferably to the horse’s shoulder or lower neck;
react to loud and/or sudden unexpected movements, such as dropping an object near a horse, can provoke a domesticated horse to react according to natural, protective instincts as described above;
first show signs of anger or fear in sudden tensing of the muscles of the body, possibly laying the ears flat back against the head, or quickly tossing or raising the head. I understand that as the person taking responsibility for myself or practice clients. I will manage any of these signs should they be evident;
can see independently with each eye, looking in one direction with one eye and another direction with the other eye. The horse can also focus both eyes on one object somewhere in front of him/her. Typically the direction in which the ear is pointing will tell an observer where the same-side-eye is looking and what the horse is listening to;
have two blind areas around which he/she cannot see. Those areas are directly behind the horse and directly in front. When a horse has his/her head lowered to the ground, the spot directly at the end of the nostrils is a blind area. 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, muzzle area, and;
are very sure-footed by nature, horses may accidentally step on an object such as a human’s foot when they are balancing or turning around. When a horse is worked on unstable ground or slippery grass or footing, the horse could be unbalanced and/or fall over and be injured.

SECTION C. Physical and Mental Wellbeing

I acknowledge that practices such as mindfulness, experiential and equine facilitated learning are recognised as having therapeutic value. In context I will confirm with my practice clients that they remain responsible for their own personal physical and emotional well-being, at all times during the sessions.

SECTION D. Client Information and Video Recordings

I acknowledge that I will comply with the Athena Herd Foundation Data Protection Policy available online at athenaherd.org and maintain compliance with GDPR regulations for all client personal information, particularly around ensuring appropriate consent for the sharing of any personal data held by myself in support of these sessions.
I acknowledge that video recordings will need to be captured of my practice client sessions. In addition, I will accordingly obtain specific consent to share as needed with Athena Herd Foundation and their team members for the purpose of training programmes.
I will give, and obtain consent for, said videos to be occasionally shared by the Athena Herd Foundation team privately in support of future training programmes.
I consent to my personal details being shared with other members of my training cohort. Similarly, I will delete any personal details of other cohort members at the end of the programme unless retention has been mutually agreed.

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It is important that you have read and understand this Safety Aspects of Horse-related Activities for online Students. If there is anything that you are unsure of, or do not understand, please discuss with a member of the Athena Herd Foundation team before signing. By ACCEPTING below, I confirm that I have read and understand the content of the same.