Our Standards
Safety & Ethics
Trust is the foundation of everything we are building. These are the standards we are putting in place to protect participants, horses, and our community, set before the first cohort, not after.
Our Commitment to Safety
Safety is foundational, for people and horses alike. These are commitments the Foundation is holding itself to from day one.
Clear horse-handling protocols
Youth protection boundaries
Non-clinical, trauma-aware practices
Incident reporting and review
Ongoing staff and volunteer training
Horse Safety Standards
- Every horse will be thoroughly evaluated before any program participation
- Daily health checks and regular veterinary care from the day a horse arrives
- Horses will never be overworked: rest and wellbeing come first
- Clear written protocols for horse-human interactions
- Equipment maintained and inspected on a set schedule
Participant Safety
- A comprehensive safety orientation for every participant before they go near a horse
- Appropriate staff-to-participant ratios
- Emergency procedures and first aid training
- Clear behavioral expectations and boundaries
- Supervised interactions at all times, with no adult alone with a young person
Youth Protection
- Background checks completed for all staff and regular volunteers before they work with participants
- A two-adult rule for all youth interactions, as required by California Business and Professions Code section 18975
- Clear reporting procedures for concerns
- Safeguarding and mandated reporter training for everyone in a regular role
- Parent/guardian communication protocols
Understanding the Risks
Horses are large, powerful animals. While we take every precaution to ensure safety, working with horses carries inherent risk that cannot be eliminated. All participants (and guardians for minors) must acknowledge these risks and sign appropriate waiver documentation before participating in our programs.
The Foundation will carry comprehensive liability insurance before any program begins, and we are committed to being straightforward about both the rewards and the risks of ground-based horsemanship.
Our Ethical Principles
These principles guide every decision we make as we build the Foundation.
Horse Welfare First
Horses are partners, not tools. Their physical and emotional wellbeing will never be compromised for program goals. If a horse isn't having a good day, they don't work.
Informed Consent
All participants (and guardians for minors) receive clear information about what our programs are and aren't. We never promise clinical outcomes or medical benefits.
Dignity & Respect
Every person who comes through our gate will be treated with unconditional respect. We meet people where they are, without judgment or expectation.
Transparency
We are open about our practices and our finances. As a newly launching organisation we have no results to report yet, and we would rather say so than overstate. We welcome questions from families, volunteers, and the community.
Continuous Improvement
We will review and update our practices as we go, guided by participant feedback, recognised standards, and emerging best practice.
Reporting Concerns
If you have any concerns about safety, ethics, or conduct at Saved by the Saddle, we encourage you to report them. All reports are taken seriously and investigated promptly.
You can raise a concern with anyone on the Foundation's founding team or board, or anonymously through our online reporting form, which asks for no name, no email address and no login.