Safety Policies and Procedure

On arrival, please wait on the parking side of the bridge until a staff member welcomes you. Once welcomed we will guide you over the bridge to the “Horse Side” and give instruction from there.

Always ask first before approaching any of our horses or ponies. When approaching a horse, always speak and alert the horse to your presence. This helps to avoid startling the horse.

All kids must be supervised by their guardians. Under no circumstances can they approach any horses unless supervised by one of our staff members.

Our treks are in “open country” which has fence boundaries that flows through our deer farm. Safety will always come first!! All children and some Beginner riders will be led depending on the size of the group trekking and the horses used from a staff member and will always be under supervision when riding a horse. If parents would like to have their children ride without a lead it will Only be when our guides feel comfortable to do so. If the child is in a large group of 4-6 the child needs to be able to confidently control and stop their pony/horse if any unpredictable adverse conditions arrive. Some children may get to ride along by themselves but not in all circumstances.

-All riders need to wear the proper safety gear, we provide a fitted regulated helmet. It is up to you the customer to wear appropriate clothes, nothing noisy or too long that can flap and upsent the horses and must include proper closed in footwear, something with a heel is preferred

We understand how exciting it is to be around horses, but always both on the ground around our horses or when riding, customers and children must remain calm. Horses do not like loud horses or any sudden noise or screaming. Horses are flight animals so it’s important not to initiate their natural instincts.

The staff instructions are very important; the trek will not begin without full attention to our safety briefing. Our horses are quiet, and we know them well, but they are a large animal and still can have unpredictable moments like tripping or a slight spook, they are not robots and have their own mind. Our staff endeavour to keep everyone safe but instructions in the safety briefing must be always adhered to, to try and prevent any accidents. Our staff pay close attention and supervise while you are riding but while riding its always important to pay attention to your horse, rein length, safety strap and feet position and importantly remain calm while in the saddle.

We have a mounting block for you to mount your pony/horse. With the details you provide we match the best horse to your weight & ability. No matter your weight it’s very import to mount your horse calmly and gently, think of your horse and just sit in the saddle gentle as to prevent any injury to the horse or yourself. When dismounting please wait for instructions from one of our staff and never dismount without supervision. Serious injuries can come from dismounting unsupervised.

We have a mounting block for you to mount your pony/horse. With the details you provide we match the best horse to your weight & ability. No matter your weight it’s very import to mount your horse calmly and gently, think of your horse and just sit in the saddle gentle as to prevent any injury to the horse or yourself. When dismounting please wait for instructions from one of our staff and never dismount without supervision. Serious injuries can come from dismounting unsupervised.

Our staff will notify you of your position in the trek depending on numbers and which horses will be ridden. Our horses are very good with each other but like humans we can all have our off days so its far better to prevent. So, it’s very important for both you and your horse’s safety to never to ride up close to the back of the horse in front on you and always stay in the order that is given at the start of the trek. Leave a horse space in between each one and be prepared to stop at any stage of the trek.

Our horses are very friendly and love a nice pat or cuddle once you have dismounted to let them know they have done a great job. Remember they have four big hooves that when stood on can result in an injury. The safest place to stand is right next to their shoulder paying constant attention to where their feet are (especially in fly season) then you can move forward safely to pat their head. Never stand directly in front (unless on the other side of the hitching rail) or directly behind a horse. When finished walk wide of the horse if safe to do so or straight out between horses. Again, Children must be held either up off the ground or by the hand and wait for a staff member to help them say goodbye.