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| Need advice w/ unsupervised kids | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jan 15 2007, 03:48 PM (574 Views) | |
| HatTrick | Jan 15 2007, 03:48 PM Post #1 |
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Weanling
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I manage a stable where a couple of kids approx. 12 years old are consistently dropped off to ride. As in the parents pull up, the kids jump out and parent drives off. The big problem is that one of the kids is the BO daughter. They drop them off not even knowing if any one else is at the barn. These girls ride, jump, jump on the cross counrty course, and sometimes leave on trail rides without anyone even being at the barn but the two of them. I have talked to both sets of parents about safety and what could happen and neither one seemed overly concerned. One of them even made the statement that their daughter knew to call 911 if something happened.Any suggestions on alternate ways of handling this situation? TIA! |
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| Just My Style | Jan 15 2007, 04:01 PM Post #2 |
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We're on a bridge, Chaaaaaaaaarlie!
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It makes it challenging, because one of the kids is the BO's. That being said, we had very specific rules when I was a kid and it kept us all out of trouble. We could never jump outside of a lesson. That was applied in a ring or cross country. We had to trail ride with at least one other person. We were not allowed to ride alone- meaning we had to have either a buddy riding too or someone wathcing us from the ground. And we always had to have a helmet (probably stating the obvious). I would think that the BO would even agree with those rules. They aren't ridiculously strict, but they are sensible. |
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| nhwr | Jan 15 2007, 04:36 PM Post #3 |
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Schooling
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I think that the barn is a great place for kids. It was an important part of my childhood. And my kids have benefited from it too. But children must be supervised around horses. The problem here is that if anything were to happen to one of these kids, you might be held responsible. I would stop talking about it and put some ideas in writing. Present the BO with a list of reasonable rules, like no unsupervised under the age of, what maybe 14 or 16?, helmet and trail riding policy etc and have them sign releases against you. If the BO hesitates to accept anything that you think is important, start looking for a new situation. |
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| HatTrick | Jan 15 2007, 06:49 PM Post #4 |
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Weanling
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Thanks- We do have rules. I originally wrote up the rules and stated that all children under 14 would need a parent on premises. Go figure the BO changed it to children 10 and under. I just feel like I am stuck between a rock and a hard place. I agree I need to type something up about liability/responsibility and have these parents sign it. My lesson students follow my 14 and under rule. |
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| Black Tack | Jan 15 2007, 07:40 PM Post #5 |
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You're BANNED!
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You really are stuck here, because you know that if anything bad happens to the kids, the BO will end up pointing a finger at you. Our barn also has rules , kids can't jump unless in lessons, everyone has to wear a helmet, etc and it's all discussed with the parents as well as the kids. I can't believe your BO changed it to 10 and under. That's crazy low. Obviously making sure that it doesn't affect them! I would definitely be talking to them and getting something signed or start looking elsewhere. |
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| BelladonnaLily | Jan 16 2007, 05:20 AM Post #6 |
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We're on a bridge, Chaaaaaaaaarlie!
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Well, there isn't much you can do about it really. Especially with the BOs kid. I'd look for a new situation. My oldest daughter is 13 and she has an adult present whenever she rides, even on her trusty pony mare. And normally there are adult eyes directly on her but occassionally I do take a bathroom break or make a quick phone call. My trainer is the only one who rides at my place alone and that even makes me nervous. When I know she is coming, I always give my husband a heads up (he is farm manager but isnt' usually around our house/barn/ring) so he can check in if her truck is there too long. Our ring is fairly secluded. I'd talk to the BO one more time and then if that doesn't work, start looking for new arrangements. JMHO. Good luck. |
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| HatTrick | Jan 16 2007, 06:56 AM Post #7 |
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Weanling
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Thanks for the replies. I think I will type something up and sit down with them one more time. |
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| ElonGrad1997 | Jan 16 2007, 07:27 AM Post #8 |
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Magical Leopluridon
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Another good idea to practice is to have dog tags made up with the barn name, your cell number and barn phone number on them to hook onto the bridle of the horses. This way, (let's assume both riders get dumped on a trail) whoever finds the horses know where they belong and can contact someone. It's also a good practice to have a white board where people going out on a ride MUST leave their name, who they rode, and where they went each time. That would provide more clues if the horses came back riderless. Edited to add: did the kids sign a liability release with you? That may be a good idea. |
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| Black Tack | Jan 16 2007, 01:11 PM Post #9 |
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You're BANNED!
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Good idea Hat Trick. Good luck and let us know how it goes
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| doppelganger | Jan 18 2007, 03:59 PM Post #10 |
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I Visited Candy Mountain and All I Got Was This Lousy Incision
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Have you contacted the insurance carrier on the farm? Assuming there is insurance, there most likely will be specific regulations in the policy with regards to the age allowed unsupervised, number in lessons, etc. In our state, children under the age of 16 MUST be supervised while on the property. That does not mean that while the barn manager is mucking stalls, younger kids can goof around in the outdoor ring. If you are an "employee", and you happen to be on the property during a serious accident, you could potentially be hung out to dry. You may want to change the terms of your employment and how it is viewed. |
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| onthebit | Jan 18 2007, 04:44 PM Post #11 |
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Off visiting Candy Cave, be right back.
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I was going to say also that I would think the farm's insurance policy would have some specific requirements in regards to some of these issues with the unsupervised kids - especially the jumping part. I would make a note of the date/time you do talk to the parents just in case you ever need to remind someone of when the conversation ocurred. |
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| HatTrick | Jan 20 2007, 08:53 PM Post #12 |
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Weanling
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Good point about the insurance policy/carrier. I will try to contact them and see if there are any specifics. I didn't even think about that. Thanks again for the advice! |
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| justdandy | Jan 22 2007, 12:58 PM Post #13 |
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Magical Leopluridon
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Does anyone know the age for when kids can stay home alone? That might help you out a bit. Maybe. If a child can't stay home alone until a certain age, how can it be legal for a parent to drop the child off at the barn without adult supervision?
And if you're the trainer, you should have all parents sign something letting them know that you are not the adult supervision unless the child is in a scheduled lesson. |
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| hidden | Jan 24 2007, 11:50 AM Post #14 |
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Weanling
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I had a parent tell me his daughter was an adult since she was turning 16 soon. Rules are set but without backup from BO you can't enforce. Put it in writing that you are not responsible, I did. Doesn't change things but legal assistance when/if they get hurt. |
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One of them even made the statement that their daughter knew to call 911 if something happened.






7:53 AM Jul 11