Rules and Guidelines
Please take a moment to carefully read and familiarize yourself with the following rules and recommendations before booking your ride. Some of these guidelines will be reiterated along with the instructions upon your arrival, though not all will be covered. Therefore, it is important that all members of your party review the following information. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Payment in full is required at the time of booking and is non-refundable.
We do ride in rainy conditions, as well as in hot or cold weather.
We will reschedule in the event of thunderstorms with lightning, as well as during extreme weather conditions, including freezing temperatures, excessive heat or heavy rainfall. Please make sure to include good contact info such as phone numbers when booking.
In the event of cancellation or rescheduling your payment will be held for your next reservation.
It is your responsibility to contact us should you need to reschedule. We understand things happen we just ask that you call at least 24 hours prior to your scheduled ride time if you need to reschedule.
The number of horses that you reserve will be the number you are charged for. (example: If you book 7 horses and only arrive with 4 riders, then you will not get refund for the others.)
If you fail to show up for your scheduled ride without notifying us in advance, you will lose your right to reschedule.
A minimum of one rider in each group must be at least 18 years of age. By making a payment and agreeing to the terms, that individual assumes full responsibility for all underage riders in their party.
Please make sure to choose the correct number of riders on the book online form where it says number of rider 4 years old and older. If you fail to do this part correctly we cannot grantee you the space you need for your ride.
There is a limit to 10 riders per ride, if the number of riders you need isn't available at that ride time please call and to inquire if your party can be accommodated or if there is a different time available.
Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your reservation time.
Everyone must sign a liability waiver upon check in at the stables to participate.
We do have a short safety speech that every person in your party is required to be present for prior to getting on the horses.
Late arrival--You will be given 10 minutes past your scheduled time before you will relinquish that reservation. If you are the only party at a particular ride time then your ride can be cut short, to accommodate following reservations, without any discount.
Dress Code
All shoes must have a backing (no flip flops, crocs without back straps, etc.)
Shorts are acceptable; however we suggest long pants.
All loose articles (hats, shades, cell phones, etc.) must be secure to your person. We can not stop the ride to pick up dropped items. We are not responsible for dropped items.
Horses
Horses will be picked for you based on age, size and riding experience.
Please keep all horses in a single file line throughout the trail ride.
We ask you to please keep all horses approx.. 6ft apart. The horse in front of you would prefer not to have your horse to close behind.
This is a walking trail only! No running/trotting of our horses will be permitted on the ride, you will be asked to dismount and return to the equine parking lot with no refund.
No riding experience is required. Our horses are all older, gentle, and well-experienced horses.
Weight Policy
To ensure the well-being of our horses, we have a overall weight limit of 250 pounds with specific height requirements:
- **151lbs-200lbs:** Minimum height 5'0"
- **201lbs-250lbs:** Minimum height 5'5"
All riders are subject to check in for weight and height compliance before riding.
Guideline Rationale:
Achieving the correct saddle fit, combined with suitable weight balance and distribution, is crucial for the comfort and safety of both the rider and the horse. Factors including weight, height, and saddle dimensions play a significant role in determining this fit.
Prioritizing the comfort and safety of our horses is of utmost importance. These guidelines aim to protect the well-being of our horses and ensure a safe riding experience for everyone involved.
Thank you for your understanding and
PARTICIPANT AGREEMENT, RELEASE AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK
In consideration of the services of Bogue Chitto Horse Rentals, LLC, their agents, owners, officers, volunteers, participants, employees, and all other persons or entities acting in any capacity on their behalf (hereinafter collectively referred to as "BCHR"), I hereby agree to release, indemnify, and discharge BCHR, on behalf of myself, my spouse, my children, my heirs, assigns, personal representative, and estate as follows:
1. I acknowledge that my participation in horseback riding actives entail known and unanticipated risk that could result in physical or emotional injury, paralysis, death, or damage to myself, to property, or to third parties. I understand that such risk simply cannot be eliminated without jeopardizing the essential qualities of the activity.
The risk may include, but not limited to travel in rugged terrain, exposure to potentially dangerous wild animals, insect bites, and hazardous plant life; exposure to temperature and weather extremes; losing control of your horse and falling; my own physical condition, and the physical exertion associated with this activity. A horse, regardless of it's training and usual past behavior, may act unpredictably at times based upon instinct or fright which may cause you to be thrown by from the horse or injured by the horse. Horses may do such things as bite, kick, buck, lie down, or stumble. Saddles may slip and other tack or saddle problems may develop as a result of normal use and wear. Your horse may collide with obstacles or encounter variations in terrain such as creeks, water, bridges, traveled roads, wild animals, birds, stumps, forest growth, debris, rocks, cliffs, and other obstacles whether obvious or not and whether man made or natural. Riding a horse requires the participant to balance on the saddle. Accidents or illness can occur in remote places without medical facilities and emergency treatment or other services rendered.
Furthermore, BCHR employees have difficult jobs to perform. They seek safety, but are not infallible. They might be unaware of a participant's fitness or abilities. They might misjudge the weather or other environmental conditions. They may give incomplete warnings or instructions, and the equipment being used mi8ght malfunction.
2. I expressly agree and promise to accept and assume all of the risk existing in the activity. My participation in this activity is purely voluntary, and I elect to participate in spite of the risk.
3. I hereby voluntarily release, forever discharge, and agree to indemnify and hold harmless BCHR from any and all claims, demands, or causes of action, which are in any way connected to my participation in this activity or my use of BCHR's equipment or facilities, including any such claims which allege negligent acts of omissions of BCHR.
4. Should BCHR or anyone acting on their behalf, be required to incur attorney's fee and cost to enforce the agreement, I agree to indemnify and hold them harmless for all such fees and cost.
5. I certify that I have adequate insurance to cover any injuries or damage I may cause or suffer while participating, or else I agree to bear the cost of such injury or damage myself. I further certify that I am willing to assume the risk of any medical or physical condition I may have.
6. In the event that I file a lawsuit against BCHR, I agree to do so solely in the state of Louisiana, and I further agree that the substantive law of that state shall apply in that action without regard to conflict of law rules of that state. I agree that if any portion of this agreement is found to be void or unenforceable, the remaining portions shall remain in full force and effect.
By checking the “I have read the rules and suggestions“ box, I acknowledge that if anyone is hurt or property is damaged during my participation in this activity, I may be found by a court of law to have waived my right to maintain a lawsuit against BCHR on the basis of any claim from which I have released them herein.
I have read this entire document, understood it, and agree to be bound by its terms.