Program boundary: Resilient Riders provides equine-assisted wellness and educational activities. It does not diagnose, cure, or treat anxiety, autism, PTSD, depression, or any other medical or mental-health condition.
For children
- Wait for staff before you go near a horse.
- Walk—do not run or shout.
- Ask before touching a horse, and never walk behind one.
For preteens
- A horse can react quickly to sudden movement, noise, or pressure.
- Stay in the area assigned by staff and do not feed a horse without permission.
- Do not guess what a horse will do; ask staff.
For teens and adults
- Consider behavior with the whole situation, not one signal alone.
- Follow the handler’s directions for approach, leading, equipment, mounting, and dismounting.
- Horse welfare and human safety take priority over completing an activity.
Practical choices
Respectful communication
- Approach only with staff permission.
- Use calm movement and an ordinary voice.
- Keep ropes away from hands and body parts.
- Stop and report unsafe ground, equipment, or behavior.
Shared responsibility and Texas notice
Participants follow directions; trained staff make handling decisions. A horse is a living animal whose response cannot be guaranteed. Texas law addresses risks associated with farm-animal activities; this overview is not legal advice and does not replace the program waiver, posted warnings, or staff instructions.
Evidence and attribution
Sources and review information
Resilient Riders wrote this page in original language after reviewing the sources below. No third-party image, worksheet, logo, assessment, or downloadable file is reproduced.
American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP)
AAEP Principles of Equine Welfare- Publication or review date
- Published March 30, 2023; revised 2023
- Resilient Riders reviewed
- August 21, 2026
- How this source was used
- Copyrighted professional guidance is not copied. Resilient Riders provides an original summary and links to the source.
PATH International
PATH International Standards Manual- Publication or review date
- Current standards page; publication date not stated
- Resilient Riders reviewed
- August 21, 2026
- How this source was used
- Copyrighted standards are not reproduced. Resilient Riders provides an original high-level safety summary and links to PATH International.
American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org)
Horseback Riding Safety for Children- Publication or review date
- Last updated August 8, 2022
- Resilient Riders reviewed
- August 21, 2026
- How this source was used
- Copyrighted article is not copied. Resilient Riders provides an original safety summary and links to the source.
Texas Legislature Online
Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Chapter 87- Publication or review date
- Current Texas code; page does not state a publication date
- Resilient Riders reviewed
- August 21, 2026
- How this source was used
- Official legal source is linked for reference. This educational page is not legal advice and does not replace the program waiver or staff instructions.