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Input needed for Saddle Club CODE OF CONDUCT

2K views 15 replies 12 participants last post by  dee 
#1 ·
I did thread several weeks ago about a kid at the new saddle club and his dangerous antics.

In short, this kid runs his horse 99% of the time WIDE OPEN, runs at people, other horses, and the week I posted, had come tearing around a parked vehicle, directly on collision path where I and another woman were sitting in chairs. Only thing that saved me was horse saw me, and swerved, kid did nothing to avoid me.

This kid, and that day two others, got to running, and one of the horses ran bolted, bucked another kid off after running behind another man's trailer where 2 of his horses were tied.

This was before he almost ran me down in the chair. Literally there is no way to keep clear of this demon spawn.

In response to that thread, several of you members made reference to
Codes of Conduct in your clubs for horsepeople.

I mentioned this to my friend who is President of this club, (I am VP) and she said if any of you would be willing to share your club rules, we would build on those to make up something before someone gets killed too.

Western riders so far. Mostly ropers, barrel racers, or people that do some cow work with theirs. Some who mainly want to trail ride too. Only one WP horse so far, mine, and I sure don't want him to get hurt up there, nor my old gelding either. And NOT me!

So please, any help that can be given to us would be appreciated greatly.

Thanks in advance.
 
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#2 ·
I'm not sure what the setup is like where you hold your gatherings, but at every schooling show I've been to there's a rule that says you can't go past a walk outside of the show ring (aka where the trailers, spectators, and people standing around with their horses are).
This kid sounds like an absolute disaster and someone is going to get seriously hurt if something doesn't change ASAP! Good luck!!!
 
#4 ·
To be honest, I'd give the kid a warning of suspension from participating for some amount of time. If he continued, follow through. Needs to learn that if he doesn't slow down, he'll either kill someone, himself, and/or his horse. Especially by running all the time.

Not allowing running unless at a speed event is a good idea, or nothing above a moderate jog/trot unless participating in an event within the arena at the time of riding. As for this kid, though, watch him - if he keeps causing an upset, he might not be right for your club, especially when it involves endangerment of other riders and horses.
 
#5 ·
Hi,
I know when I did 4H years ago there were a few rules and some rules I wanted in place. These are some of my thoughts.
1. no going faster than a walk outside the ring.
2. unless you are warming up for a class, or on your way to a class don't be on your horse. This is my own pet peeve. Do you really need to watch a class on horseback? Warm your horse up, do your class and take him back to wash/cool out and put him back with his hay where he wants to be.
3. parents must accompany children on horseback under ___ age.
4. horses not being prepared for a class need to be in the stabling area.
5. no horses in the spectator area.
Again, no need for you to hand graze or or pull shenanigans on your horse next to the ring.
The other thing to do would be to talk to this young persons parents. If I was a parent and my child was putting himself, his horse and others in danger I would want to know. The final thing I would consider is punishment for breaking the rules. I.e, after one violation you are suspended from your class or activities after two you are asked to leave the show. Three incidents and you are unable to attend future events for a period of time.
 
#13 ·
Hi,
I know when I did 4H years ago there were a few rules and some rules I wanted in place. These are some of my thoughts.
1. no going faster than a walk outside the ring.
2. unless you are warming up for a class, or on your way to a class don't be on your horse. This is my own pet peeve. Do you really need to watch a class on horseback? Warm your horse up, do your class and take him back to wash/cool out and put him back with his hay where he wants to be.
3. parents must accompany children on horseback under ___ age.
4. horses not being prepared for a class need to be in the stabling area.
5. no horses in the spectator area.
Again, no need for you to hand graze or or pull shenanigans on your horse next to the ring.
The other thing to do would be to talk to this young persons parents. If I was a parent and my child was putting himself, his horse and others in danger I would want to know. The final thing I would consider is punishment for breaking the rules. I.e, after one violation you are suspended from your class or activities after two you are asked to leave the show. Three incidents and you are unable to attend future events for a period of time.
Good Morning, Pal Rookie has some ideas that go along my train of thought. However, since your situation has no scheduled classes the wording can be changed accordingly.

In addition here are some more thoughts:

Require a Negative Coggins for each horse present. Volunteers could be on hand as each trailer w/horses enters the area to ask for presentation of a Negative Coggins.

Assign, elect, or again ask for volunteers to be "Technical Delegates" as in "rules enforcers". Or ask for a self-policing among your more dedicated members.

Require each child or young person under 18 to wear a helmet. Otherwise, they can and will be asked to dismount and untack their horse. I know that sounds strict, but it could save a child from a serious head injury.

Suspension if any infractions occur from the Code Of Conduct. Three infractions calls for complete dismissal from priviledges of the facility during a Saddle Club Get-Together.

Best Wishess for a Successful Venture...
 
#6 ·
I am not currently a member of a roundup club, and don't remember exactly what our rules were (other than they were pretty much plain common sense!). HOWEVER, we are going to a playday tomorrow, and will be joining that roundup club, for the social aspect and horsey aspect, even if I can't ride much (grankids may be riding.) I will see if I can pick up a copy of their rules and type them up for you. One of the officers is a retired school teacher (she taught my girls when they were little.) She doesn't stand for any nonsense, so I KNOW there has to be some written rules in the application for membership.
 
#7 ·
Does the land owner or barn manager not have a spine ? Seriously you need to sit around and talk about codes and making up rules to deal with a safety hazard like that ? Kick him off the property. Good grief are people that passive they just sit around and wait for someone else to do something to protect themselves ?
 
#8 ·
To Clarify.

This is held on the NWMO State Fairgrounds, and is NOT a show, nor are there any classes. Just people who show up, offload horses and ride them in the arena of plowed ground, that has just been purchased for "horse activities" at the NWMO State Fair in August.

The Fairgrounds owns the land, there is no "land owner" per se to run the thing. Nor a barn manager, at this point? There isn't a barn, nor stalls, nor even a water hydrant, or potty. Just plowed ground, some panels/fencing, and about 5-10 acres surrounding it. Not even gravel road into it at this point. And south side is bordered by barbed wire fencing between subdivisions yards.
 
#9 ·
The rules I've found so far deal more with showing, trail riding, and classes than with the type of thing going on here.

This is just a bunch showing up with horses in trailers, offloading, and riding, or ripsnorting in the kids case.

And sadly not a lot of more formal training or experience from what I've seen. A couple seem to have it more together, and didn't look impressed with kids, but don't know any more about them.

All I know is that unless something is done? Someone will be getting hurt badly, or their horse will be.

Like I wrote in another thread, I did jump kid about running me down in chair, and could tell from his dad's flipped up lip next time I saw him that kid had told him I had hollered at him, but didn't feel like going into it at that point, sick and wanting to get home.

I too think it is ignorant that this should have to be done, as it would seem that anyone with a horse would have some common sense, but we all know how that goes.

Hey Joe? Want to come be our Sergent at Arms?
 
#10 ·
what a rule something alone the lines of "Actions/activities that may in anyway endaanger horses, riders or spectators is STRICTLY forbidden and will result in suspension and removal from property."
 
#11 · (Edited)
I sent the email Pal. I'll send the other info when it comes in from the attorney, if you'd like.

ETA: I have the stallion sheet on my pc at home, as well as the actual applications we came up with. You'll need to contact the Fairgrounds committee/Chairperson about a couple things....such as the ability to ban users from the facility and how the Fairgrounds are willing to enforce it.
 
#12 ·
These are my ideas.

Elect a chief instructor in charge of ridden activities, where as the more "official board members" such as VP and Sec are in charge of organisational work. Get a stickler for safety, or have a shared position. Draw a schedule with details of what you will focus on each meet.

Ie. 9-10 meet and greet, gear check for children under 18, 10 - 11.30 instruction by *x*. 11.30 - 1pm lunch, 1 - 3pm trail ride led by *x*.

That way when people are sitting down at lunch etc, no horses should be ridden or loose. Then for the ridden sessions, someone is actually in charge and can say "hey, you're doing that wrong/dangerously".

Have rules such as children can ONLY ride under the instruction of a designated person. When the session is finished they dismount and lead their horses back to the trailer etc. Have all the trailers/horses in a designated area so they aren't scattered around, and you can have a horse free area.

Have a one warning policy for all members, the instructor warns once, if they do it again they are suspended for the day, and must put their horse away and leave, or if with other people put away their horse and not ride for the remainder of the session. If they get suspended twice in a row they are suspended for a month etc.

You don't have to be heavy handed about it, just get people aware that there are ways people have to act. If there are children under 16 perhaps make it there has to be an adult always present. Perhaps for ones under 12 or 10 there should always be an unmounted adult ready to assist.
 
#14 ·
You have stated that the property is located on State Fairgrounds and thereby a state owned property. I would be completely shocked if there are not rules and regulations in place to protect the state from liability. If you (the club) are not following those rules, I fear the liability would fall on you. I think you need to contact the person in charge of the fairgrounds. I find it so sad that common sense safety and courtesy need to be mandated these days.
 
#15 ·
As a few others have stated.. You need to contact the state about the horse show regulations for the other shows held on site and what goes as far as the state's liability and such..That said, you should also have a meeting with all of the adults and elect a board of directors..Then when that is in place you should all agree on and write up your own set of rules and regulations that all people on the grounds must follow or be warned once, suspended on the second warning, and the third can lead to further punishment.. I would also try to call and talk to the 4H horse council in your state and see what they have in place as far as rules..

I've attached Georgia Federtaion of Saddle Clubs STATE SHOW rules and regulations. It doesn't have to be these exactly but it would be nice for you to read through and get an idea..
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=6&sqi=2&ved=0CGEQjBAwBQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.georgiafsc.com%2FGFSC_2011_Rules_12-29-11.doc&ei=_knCT4H4KYi49QT7t_DRAw&usg=AFQjCNFW9BVK0ongBhDWur05WOFoZwMM1w&sig2=1Qc_Fh-T9CdvQjV8GjO6kw
A friend is emailing me the home arena rules in a word doc.. I thought it was posted on our website but it isn't..
 
#16 ·
Just got back from the arena. Here are there rules/regulations/code of conduct. Mostly, it's just plain common sense - something that the parents of the demon child seem to be lacking in abundance. :shock:

All contestant members and spectators will at all times conduct themselves in an exemplary manner, upholding the riding club's purpose and ideal, and shall present themselves in a neat, clean and orderly cowboy/cowgirl manner.

At the discretion of the officers of the club, or official in charge, any contestant may be disqualified for any or all events for misconduct or unsportsmanlike conduct by the contestant, his/her parent or any person affiliated with the contestant.

The following are actions considered as misconduct or unsportsmanlike conduct:

Drinking or under the influence of alcoholic beverages and/or use of illegal substances.

Using obscene language

Altercating or arguing with judges or officials

Engaging, or attempting to engage in any action threatening, berating, harassing, intimidating, assaulting, or striking an official, spectator, or another contestant.

Not being ready to compete when called up to compete. (By the third call, once the arena is clear for that person's turn) or running out of turn.

Mistreating livestock or striking horse with playday equipment, or any other means of abuse to the animals.

RULES FOR ARENA USE:

All equipment must be put up after use.

Arena must be worked with tractor after use, if key is available.

All trash and litter must be picked up and disposed of properly.

Water must be turned off

Last member leaving grounds is responsible for locking the gate

All horses on club property must have a current negative EIA Coggins test on file, or registered with the Club. All club members will help in seeing that all Coggins are valid on all horses.

Report any problems or damage to facilities to the President or an official immediately.

Abide by state and local laws at all times (Example: when a burn ban is in effect there is to be no outdoor cooking)

The area between the concession stand and the audience area is off limits at ALL times to horses and trailers. This area is reserved for vehicles without trailers.

Do not ride or lead horses betwen bleachers and the arena fence on either side.

Do NOT run horses outside the arena. Be responsible - have control of your horse and watch out for children.

PARENTS NEED TO BE RESPONSIBLE. Do not allow children to play around trailers and horses in order to prevent injuries. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult when riding horses.

The rules can be adjusted to fit your specific situation. I sure hope this helps!
 
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