Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy

At Horse & Horizon, the safety, dignity, and wellbeing of every child in our programs are central to everything we do. We are committed to providing a secure, supportive, and respectful environment where children can learn, grow, and build confidence through horsemanship.

This Safeguarding Policy outlines the standards, responsibilities, and procedures we follow to protect children from harm and ensure their physical and emotional wellbeing at all times.

Our Commitment to Child Safety

Horse & Horizon is committed to:

Protecting children from physical, emotional, and verbal harm
Creating an environment where children feel safe, respected, and heard
Promoting positive, healthy relationships between instructors, staff, volunteers, and students
Acting promptly and responsibly if a concern about a child’s wellbeing arises

All staff members share responsibility for maintaining a safe and supportive environment.

Supervision & Safety During Activities

Children participating in Horse & Horizon programs are supervised at all times during scheduled activities.

We maintain:

Active supervision during all mounted and unmounted horse activities
Clearly defined safety procedures in the barn, arena, and surrounding areas
Age-appropriate instruction tailored to the child’s experience and ability level
Structured lesson formats that reduce risk and provide consistent guidance

Children are never permitted to handle horses independently without instructor approval and supervision.

Appropriate Conduct Between Adults and Children

Horse & Horizon requires all staff, instructors, and volunteers to maintain clear professional boundaries with students at all times.

Expected standards include:

Treating all children with respect, patience, and fairness
Using appropriate language and behavior at all times
Avoiding favoritism or exclusion
Ensuring that any physical contact (such as helping with riding position or safety) is appropriate, necessary, and explained to the child

Private, unsupervised one-on-one situations between an adult and a child are avoided whenever possible. Instruction is conducted in open, observable environments.

Communication with Children

Communication with students must always be appropriate, transparent, and related to program activities.

Horse & Horizon staff and instructors:

Do not engage in private or secretive communication with minors
Communicate with children in a manner that is respectful and age-appropriate
Include parents or guardians in important communications regarding scheduling, progress, or concerns

Digital communication, when necessary, should include a parent or guardian whenever possible.

Anti-Bullying & Emotional Wellbeing

We are committed to creating a positive and encouraging learning environment. Bullying, teasing, intimidation, or exclusion are not tolerated.

Horse & Horizon promotes:

Kindness and teamwork among students
Respect for different abilities, backgrounds, and personalities
Immediate intervention if harmful behavior is observed

Children are encouraged to speak up if they feel uncomfortable, unsafe, or treated unfairly.

Reporting Concerns

Any concern regarding the safety or wellbeing of a child must be taken seriously.

Staff members are expected to:

Report concerns about inappropriate behavior, neglect, or possible abuse to program leadership immediately
Document relevant information factually and promptly
Maintain confidentiality while prioritizing the child’s safety

Horse & Horizon will follow applicable local and state laws regarding mandatory reporting if there is reasonable suspicion that a child may be at risk.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to share any concerns directly with Horse & Horizon leadership.

Staff Awareness & Responsibility

All staff, instructors, and volunteers are expected to:

Understand and follow this Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy
Model respectful and responsible behavior at all times
Prioritize the physical and emotional safety of children above convenience or routine

Failure to follow safeguarding expectations may result in removal from duties or termination of involvement with Horse & Horizon.

Partnership with Parents & Guardians

We believe child safety is strongest when families and instructors work together.

Horse & Horizon commits to:

Open communication with parents and guardians
Clear expectations regarding behavior, safety rules, and supervision
Addressing concerns respectfully and promptly

Parents are encouraged to inform us of any medical, emotional, or behavioral considerations that may help us better support their child.