Yes, life is full of risks.  Each person makes choices to take action in life by weighing the benefits versus the risks.  When the benefits are greater the person goes ahead as a matter of choice.  Such is the case with horseback riding, an adventure/activity provided by Dude’s Ranch, Inc., Dude's Ranch Equine Rescue Center.

In consideration of the services provided by Dude’s Ranch, Inc., Dude's Ranch Equine Rescue Center, their agents, owners, officers volunteers, participants, employees, and all other person or entities acting in any capacity on their behalf of myself, my children, my parents, my heirs, assigns, personal representative and estate as follows:

1.       I,_________________________ acknowledge that horseback trail rides entails known and unanticipated risks which could result in physical or emotional injury, paralysis, death, or damage to myself, to property or to third parties.  I understand that such risks simply cannot be eliminated without jeopardizing the essential qualities of the activity.

The risks include, among other things; loss of control, collisions, horses, irrespective of their  previous behavior and characteristics, may act or react unpredictably based upon instinct, fright, or lack of proper control by rider, latent or apparent defects or conditions in equipment, animals or property; acts of other participants in this activity, adverse weather conditions; contact with plants or animals; my own physical condition or my own acts or omissions; the conditions of roads, trials waterways, or terrain, and accidents connected with their use; first aid, emergency treatment or other services rendered, consumption of food and drink.

Furthermore, Dude’s Ranch, Inc., Dude's Ranch Equine Rescue Center guides have difficult jobs to perform.  They seek safety, but they are not infallible.  They might be ignorant of a participant’s fitness or abilities.  They might misjudge the weather, the elements or the terrain.  They may give inadequate warnings or instructions, and the equipment being used might malfunction.

2. I expressly agree and promise to accept and assume all of the risks existing in this activity.  My participation in this activity is purely voluntary, and I elect to participate in spite of the risks.
3. I hereby voluntary release, forever discharge, and agree to indemnify and hold harmless Dude’s Ranch, Inc., Dude's Ranch Equine Rescue Center and all of it agent’s and heirs from any and all claims, demands, or causes of action, which are in any way connected with my participation in this activity or my use of Dude’s Ranch, Inc., Dude's Ranch Equine Rescue Center equipment or facilities, including any such claims which allege acts or omissions of Dude’s Ranch, Inc., Dude's Ranch Equine Rescue Center.
4. Should Dude’s Ranch, Inc., Dude's Ranch Equine Rescue Center or anyone acting on their behalf, be required to incur attorney’s fees and costs to enforce this agreement, I agree to indemnify and hold them harmless for all such fees and costs.
5. I certify that I have adequate insurance to cover any injury or damage I may cause or suffer while participating, or else I agree to bear the costs of such injury or damage myself.  I further certify that I have no medical or physical conditions which could interfere with my safety in this activity, or else I am willing to assume and bear the costs of all risks that may be created, directly or indirectly, by any such condition.
6. In the event that I file a lawsuit against Dude’s Ranch, Inc., Dude's Ranch Equine Rescue Center  I agree to do so solely in the State of California and I further agree that the substantive law of that state shall apply in that action without regard to the conflict of law rules of that state.

By signing this document, I acknowledge that if anyone is hurt , including myself  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 Dude’s Ranch, Inc., Dude's Ranch Equine Rescue Center on the basis of any claim form which I have released them herein.

I have had sufficient opportunity to read this entire document.  I have read and understood it, and agree to be bound by its terms.