SAFETY & ETIQUETTE
Riders’s Release Waiver: Boarder must obtain the signature of any guest, or the parent/guardian of any minor guest, on a “Rider’s Release Agreement” before allowing such guest to ride Boarder’s horse and provide the signed Agreement promptly to Higher Ground Stables management.
Riding Helmet: All riders are to wear a protective headgear which meets or exceeds the quality standards of the SEI certified ASTM standard F 1163 equestrian helmet which must be purchased and worn while riding and being near horses.
Code of Conduct: We are committed to providing our clients a safe and healthy boarding/care environment while maintaining a safe and healthy work environment. We have a zero tolerance policy for the following:
Verbal abuse, malicious or harmful statements, profanity or disrespect directed at any member of our staff.
Any form of harassment including: cyberbullying, discriminatory comments and/or actions, intimidation tactics and/or threats, etc...
Public disclosure of another’s private information.
Any other objectionable behavior that disrupts our business and disturbs our staff, service providers or clients.
Alterations to Higher Ground Stables LLC Property: Do not nail, staple, glue or otherwise affix any material or equipment to the stalls or barn without prior approval from management.
Borrowed Equipment: Do not borrow anything without asking first. Should a boarder’s horse arrive without essential or necessary equipment Higher Ground Stables LLC may lend boarder such necessary or essential equipment at their own discretion for a brief period of time. Each boarder is required to acquire such necessary items in a timely fashion. In case of damage to Higher Ground Stables borrowed equipment, boarder agrees to repair or replace the item.
Trash: Keep barns and grounds clean and litter free.
Injuries: Report injury of horse(s) or rider(s) promptly to barn staff on duty.
Horse Emergency Procedure: If you see a horse rolling in the stall repeatedly or cast up side down with their legs banging against stall walls or paddock fencing, you must contact Higher Ground Stables staff for assistance immediately. Each person will be assuming the risk of their actions by attempting to get the horse up or free the horse.
Children: Children must be supervised. Do not leave them unattended.
Vehicles: Nobody is to drive, ride on or use any Higher Ground Stables LLC vehicles.
Dogs: No outside dogs are permitted without prior written approval by Higher Ground Stables management.
In case of approval, dogs are not permitted off leash. Dogs are not permitted in the arena, pastures, stalls, wash & tack up areas or in any rooms.
Management reserves the right to have the dog owner promptly remove the dog from the property due to disruptive, aggressive and/or dangerous behavioral issues.
Vehicle Speed Limit: 5 MPH is the speed limit on all roads within the property of Higher Ground Stables.
PASTURE/PADDOCK ACCOMMODATIONS:
Management reserves the right to select appropriate pasture/paddock for boarders horse as well as length of time. No turnout will be available in poor or wet conditions to preserve both the horses health/safety and the pasture/paddock quality. Management reserves the right to bar a boarder horse from turn out should the horse exhibit dangerous habits such as but not limited to excessive running, jumping or kicking.
Each individual horse owner is financially responsible for damages to pasture/paddock accommodations including but not limited to breaking of fence boards, automatic waterers, sprinklers and excessive damage to the land from digging or pacing. If a boarders horse exhibits excessive pacing/running/digging which may rut and damage the pasture providing an unsafe environment for other horses, it is the owner's sole responsibility to either prevent or remedy the issue immediately. Should the owner neglect to remedy the issue management reserves the right to bar said horse from turn out.
STABLING ACCOMMODATIONS:
Management reserves the right to assign appropriate stabling for boarders horse.
Each individual horse owner is financially responsible for damages to stabling accommodations. Should a horse exhibit excessive kicking or other dangerous or disruptive behaviors it is the owner's sole responsibility to either prevent or remedy the issue immediately.
VETERINARIAN PROCEDURES:
Veterinarian of Choice: Boarder is required to provide Higher Ground Stables with the name and all phone numbers of the vet of their choice.
Rehabbing, special needs and stall bound horses: Higher Ground Stables will make every attempt to follow all written instructions given by veterinarian. Boarder agrees to provide Higher Ground Stables with a copy of each vet visit. All instructions must be in writing and provided to Higher Ground Stables management.
FEED, MEDICATION & SUPPLEMENTS: Boarder is to advise of any specialty feed, medication or supplement requirements. All instructions must be in writing and provided to Higher Ground Stables management.
HOURS: All visits past 9:00 PM and prior to 6:00 AM will be considered after hours and will require written permission.
ARENA & JUMPING EQUIPMENT POLICIES:
Manure Removal: Each tenant is responsible for promptly removing their horse's manure from the arena.
Painted Show Rails: Painted show rails may only be placed on the ground when absolutely necessary to adjust the height of a jump. Please return the rails to the jump cups after each lesson or training session. Painted show rails may not be used as guide rails, canter/trot rails, or for any purpose other than as a jump pole in cups. Please use the provided ground rails, lats, 4x4’s, or cavaletti for all other exercises.
Broken Equipment: Any damaged jumping equipment—including rails, flower boxes, standards, and fillers—will be billed to the individual horse owner for replacement.
Arena Hours: The arena closes at 6:30 PM. Exceptions may occasionally be made to accommodate busy schedules, but prior approval from management is required.
Monday Maintenance: On Mondays, staff provide property maintenance services, including weed whacking, mowing, arena care, and operation of loud equipment. Arena use is still permitted during this time, but please be advised that maintenance will be in progress.
Footing Maintenance: To keep our footing in optimal condition, we periodically adjust courses. At a minimum of once per month, all jumps are removed from the arena to allow for essential footing maintenance, ensuring our high standards and quality of care. Trainers, riders, and owners may set up necessary exercises or courses prior to HGS staff at any time. Thank you for helping us maintain a safe and enjoyable environment.