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Sagebrush Equine Training Center for the Handicapped Policies and Procedures

Effective June 1, 2010

Sagebrush Equine Training Center for the Handicapped (Sagebrush) has developed policies and procedures to ensure a professional, safe, enjoyable, and successful experience for all our participants, staff, volunteers, and guests. Please review these new policies carefully.

Punctuality

Students are expected to arrive and be prepared for their lesson on time each week. Students arriving more than 15 minutes late for a lesson will not be able to participate in the mounted lesson. A ground lesson may be offered based on staff and volunteer availability. Regardless of arrival time, lessons will end at their scheduled time.

It is our policy that students be supervised at all times. Therefore, if a parent or guardian arrives late to pick up their student, it cuts into another student's lesson time. Out of respect for other students, please arrive prior to the scheduled end of your student's lesson time.

If for some reason you are unable to arrive for your student's lesson or pick up your student on time, please call to notify our staff of any delays. Continued tardiness, regardless of a phone call, may result in the student losing their spot for the remainder of the session.

Cancellation Policy

Please understand that Sagebrush must coordinate staff, volunteers, and horses to provide an effective and safe lesson for each student. If you are unable to make your scheduled lesson, please call us at least 4 hours prior to the start of your lesson to cancel. Students who continually fail to give 4-hour notice may lose their spot for the remainder of the session. Due to our busy schedule, Sagebrush is unable to offer make-up lessons for lessons missed for any reason.

Closing Policy

Sagebrush may close due to severe weather, power outage, or for other reasons that may cause unsafe conditions. In the event of a closing, information will be made available on the program's web site (www.sagebrushequine.org) and automated voicemail system. When in doubt, please call the program office at (208) 578-9111.

Parent, Guardian, or Caregiver Involvement

If you are bringing a participant to our program, please take the opportunity to relax during your student's scheduled lesson time. Our staff is highly trained and does not typically require assistance from caregivers during a riding session. This is your student's opportunity to develop riding skills and/or participate in a therapy session independently.

There are designated waiting areas for parents, guardians, and caregivers. Your instructor will clarify where it is most suitable for you to wait during your student’s lesson. For safety reasons, no guests, parents, guardians, caregivers, or students are allowed in any riding, cross-tie, tacking, or horse pen areas unless escorted by a Sagebrush staff member.

It is our policy that students be supervised at all times. When you arrive for your lesson, please wait with your student in the designated waiting area until the instructor arrives to start your lesson. No student drop-offs are permitted regardless of the age of the participant.

If a rider requires assistance in the bathroom, for the safety of everyone involved, a parent, guardian, or caregiver must remain on the Sagebrush property for the duration of the lesson. Our staff and volunteers are not trained to assist in these situations.

Student Pick Up

Parents or guardians will be asked to provide a list of people who are approved to pick up their student. If someone new will be picking up your student, please call Sagebrush in advance to notify a member of our staff of this change. Sagebrush will not release the student to an unapproved individual without first gaining approval from a parent or guardian.

Guests

Guests are welcome in the observation and waiting areas of our facilities. Guests are the responsibility of the participant, parent, guardian, or caregiver and must adhere to the barn rules and all information outlined within the Sagebrush policies. Guests under the age of 18 must be supervised by an adult at all times.

Conflict Resolution

Problems or complaints are best handled immediately, confidentially, and directly between the parties involved and their Instructor. Parents and/or students who feel that their concerns are not being adequately addressed may contact the Program Director who will follow up appropriately.

Student Dismissal and Discharge Policy

Students may be removed from the program at the discretion of Sagebrush's Program Director. Students who do not adhere to the rules and procedures or meet the guidelines for eligibility are subject to dismissal or discharge. Possible grounds for dismissal may include, but are not limited to: conduct endangering another student, staff member, or volunteer, conduct endangering themselves, or consistent failure to follow safety procedures. Possible grounds for discharge may include, but are not limited to: a student no longer meeting the program’s eligibility requirements, or a change in medical conditions that cause it to become no longer safe or beneficial for a student to continue in the program. No student will be dismissed or discharged without an opportunity to discuss the reasons with the Program Director.