Volunteer Program

Volunteer Criteria

• All applicable forms must be completed.
• Minimum age: 13 years old.
• Attire: solid-colored shirt, free from graphic designs and print.
• Closed-toe shoes are required.
• Shorts must be fingertip length, or volunteers may wear pants.
• Maximum of two hours of volunteering per day.
• A minimum of two volunteer hours in each of the three levels is required before testing for level-up eligibility, with Volunteer Coordinator approval.
• Volunteer hour verification is available as needed; please allow 14 days for return of forms.
• Volunteer appreciation: 10 volunteer hours = Sun Horse Ranch volunteer T-shirt.
• Volunteer of the Month spotlights may be featured on social media.
• Yearly volunteer appreciation gathering.
• Volunteer Levels 1–3 certificates of completion.

Safety Rules and Policies

1. Know and observe all state laws, local rules, and regulations regarding equestrian activity on the Ranch, always protecting the safety and security of customers, guests, contractors, employees, and the owners.
2. Know and observe best practices for training, grooming, riding, or walking Ranch animals to minimize the risk of injury or accident.
3. All customers of the Ranch must wear a riding helmet when seated on a horse.
4. During activities, training, and lessons, no dogs or other pets are allowed on the Ranch grounds.
5. Do not feed the ponies and horses unless approved in advance by the Ranch owner or director.
6. No child under the age of 18 may be on Ranch grounds without a supervising adult who has signed the required releases.
7. No observer adult or volunteer is allowed inside the Round Pen or Arena unless they have signed a release and are involved in the equine-assisted program activities.
8. All volunteers used in equine-assisted programs and the arena/round pen must be at least 13 years old and trained regarding duties and safety by a Sun Horse Ranch employee or trainer.
9. A violation of Ranch rules may result in removal from Ranch property.
10. Use of the Round Pen and Arena is subject to Ranch rules and instructions.

Code of Conduct

SAFETY

• Think about the safety of others around you.
• Think about the safety of the animals.
• DO NOT feed the horses and ponies without permission.
• DO NOT enter a paddock without permission.
• DO NOT interact on your own with the horses or ponies.
• Children must be watched carefully around the animals.
• Do not stand behind a horse or pony.
• A signed liability release is required for participation in designated Ranch areas and activities.

GOOD MANNERS AND RESPECT

• Respect for the animals is important.
• Animals must not be frightened by humans.
• Adults must demonstrate the respect that we expect children to learn.

CONFIDENTIALITY POLICY/STATEMENT

1. Riders and their families, staff members, and volunteers have a right to privacy and control over the sharing of their medical or other sensitive information. Sun Horse Ranch will preserve confidentiality for all individuals in its programs.
2. Staff and volunteers must keep confidential all medical, social, referral, personal, and financial information regarding a person and their family. Anyone who accidentally obtains such information must not disclose it without proper authorization.
3. Anyone who works, volunteers, or provides services at Sun Horse Ranch is bound by this confidentiality policy, including staff, independent contractors, temporary employees, and volunteers.
4. A person must be over the age of 18 to give consent for disclosure of medical or sensitive information. For anyone under 18, only a parent, legal guardian, or other legal representative may provide such consent.
5. Private or sensitive information will not be disclosed without proper consent. Everyone should follow appropriate infection-control procedures with all riders and volunteers.
6. Information will be disclosed to outside agencies or individuals only with specific written consent, except when necessary in a medical emergency.
7. A breach of this confidentiality policy may result in reprimand or loss of volunteer responsibilities, depending on the severity of the breach.

Other grounds for dismissal of volunteers may include:

• Use of drugs or alcohol on Sun Horse Ranch property or at a Sun Horse Ranch event
• Verbal or physical abuse, sexual harassment, or other inappropriate behavior
• Mistreatment of horses or other animals
• Vulgar language, inappropriate jokes, or disrespectful language
• Frequent missed volunteer times without prior explanation
• Abuse of phone privileges
• Smoking or vapin
• Persistent failure to follow Ranch rules or staff instructions, or disruption of equine-assisted activities.

SUN HORSE RANCH WAIVER AND NOTICE

I choose to participate in equestrian activities with Sun Horse Ranch, and in order to do so, I agree to the following waiver of liability:

I recognize that there are risks inherent in participating in any equine activity, including:

1. The propensity of an equine to behave in dangerous ways which may result in injury or death of the participant.
2. The inability to predict an equine’s reaction to sounds, movements, objects, persons, or animals.
3. Certain hazards such as surface or subsurface conditions.

The undersigned, on behalf of himself/herself or minors under my care, custody, or control, and all members of his or her immediate family and household, heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns, collectively referred to as the “PARTICIPANT,” hereby forever releases and discharges SUN HORSE RANCH, its employees, contractors, and members from any and all claims, demands, causes of action, and liability of any nature which may arise from or in connection with participation in activities at SUN HORSE RANCH.

The PARTICIPANT agrees to waive and not assert or bring any action at law, in equity, or otherwise, any claim, demand, cause of action, or liability against SUN HORSE RANCH or its members.