Terms And Conditions

Heart of the Horse Equine Therapy Ranch

Effective Date: September 2018

Location: Clovis, CA

Contact: heartofthehorseranch@gmail.com

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing, booking, or participating in services offered by Heart of the Horse Equine Therapy Ranch (“we,” “us,” or “our”), you agree to comply with and be bound by these Terms and Conditions. These terms apply to all clients, visitors, volunteers, and participants (“you”).

2. Information You Need to Read Before You Come to the Ranch

Welcome to The Heart of The Horse Therapy Ranch. We are honored to support your journey, and thank you for your patience as we worked through our waiting list. To ensure your experience is safe, meaningful, and consistent with our mission, please carefully review the following:

Timeliness: Please arrive on time. Sessions are scheduled, and late arrivals will only receive the remaining portion of their allotted time.

Gate Code: Always bring your gate code. This is essential for smooth entry and to maintain good relationships with our neighbors.

Courtesy Cancellations: If you cannot attend a session, please call us. We have horses and volunteers scheduled specifically for you. A simple call allows us to offer the time to another family in need.

No-Call, No-Show Policy: It is the policy of The Heart of the Horse Therapy Ranch to maximize the use of riding time, volunteer time and horse availability. Approved by BOD on 09/2018.

  • First no-show: Counts as one of your eight sessions.
  • Second no-show: Rider will be removed from the program schedule.

Attendance Commitment: Illness and emergencies happen, and we understand. However, due to a high demand and a waitlist over a year long, we require commitment to your weekly sessions. Habitual no-shows may result in removal from the program to allow other families access to these life-changing services.

Safety and Consent for Riding: We never force anyone onto a horse. If a child or adult is showing significant anxiety or we deem the situation unsafe, we will not proceed with riding. In the case of adults, if mounting cannot be done safely, sessions will be discontinued.

Dress Code:

  • Closed-toed shoes are mandatory.
  • Long pants are preferred.
  • No sandals or open-toed shoes.
  • Helmets are required for all riders. If a helmet is removed during a session, the rider will be taken off the horse.

Driving: Please respect our community. Drive the posted speed limit and no more than 5 mph once on the ranch road.

Additional Children or Guests:

  • Your own children must stay with you at all times.
  • Do not bring other people’s children.
  • All visitors must be approved in advance and must sign a liability waiver.
  • Please limit additional guests and avoid showing up unannounced.

Animal Boundaries:

  • Do not feed the horses treats.
  • Do not wander the property to pet horses. Please stay in the main barn and riding areas only.

Weather Closures: Sessions may be canceled due to rain, extreme wind or heat, lightning, poor air quality, or scheduled off-site events. We appreciate your understanding—these events help sustain the ranch’s operations.

3. Health and Safety

Your physical and emotional well-being is our priority. To participate in any equine-assisted activity:

  • A doctor's release may be required.
  • You must disclose any physical, psychological, or emotional conditions that could impact your safety or participation.
  • You must follow the safety instructions provided by our staff at all times.
  • Closed-toed shoes and appropriate attire are required.
  • We reserve the right to refuse participation if we believe it may compromise the safety of any person or animal.

4. Risk Acknowledgment and Liability Waiver

Equine therapy involves interaction with large animals, which carries inherent risks. By participating, you acknowledge and assume all such risks, including but not limited to injuries, allergic reactions, or emotional responses. You agree to:

  • Waive any claims against Heart of the Horse Equine Therapy Ranch, its staff, volunteers, and property owners for injuries or losses incurred.
  • Release Heart of the Horse Equine Therapy Ranch from liability, to the extent permitted by law, for any personal injury, illness, or property damage.

A signed liability waiver is required before participation in any session.

5. No-Call, No-Show Policy

It is the policy of The Heart of the Horse Therapy Ranch to maximize the use of riding time, volunteer time, and horse availability. Approved by BOD on 09/2018.

  • First no-show: Counts as one of your eight sessions. 
  • Second no-show: Rider will be removed from the program schedule.

6. Animal Welfare

All animals at Heart of the Horse Therapy Ranch are treated with the utmost care and respect. Anyone found to be mistreating, taunting, or harming any animal will be immediately removed from the premises and barred from future participation.

Do not feed the horses treats.

Do not wander the property to pet horses. 

Please stay in the main barn and riding areas only.

7. Confidentiality

We respect your privacy. All personal information shared with our team is confidential and used only to support your care and experience. Exceptions include disclosures required by law (e.g., abuse or harm to self or others).

8. Photography & Media

Photos may be taken during sessions for promotional purposes. You will be asked to sign a separate media release form. You may opt out at any time through written communication via email to heartofthehorseranch@gmail.com.

9. Code of Conduct

Participants agree to:

  • Treat staff, volunteers, animals, and other guests with kindness and respect.
  • Refrain from bringing alcohol, illegal substances, or weapons onto the property.
  • Avoid aggressive or disruptive behavior.

10. Property Use

You agree not to damage any equipment, facilities, or property. Heart of the Horse Ranch is not liable for lost or stolen items. Please keep valuables secured or leave them at home.

11. Modifications to Terms

We reserve the right to update these Terms and Conditions at any time. Continued use of our services after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the new terms.

12. Contact

If you have questions about these Terms and Conditions or your participation in our services, please contact us at:📧 heartofthehorseranch@gmail.com

We honor your courage to show up and seek healing. These terms are here not just to protect us, but to protect the sanctity of the healing space we co-create together. Thank you for being a part of our herd.

Warmly,

The Heart of the Horse Therapy Ranch Team