inherent risks of equine activities

WARNING: Under Colorado Law, an equine professional is not liable for an injury to or the death of a participant in equine activities resulting from the inherent risks of equine activities, pursuant to section 13-21-119, Colorado Revised Statutes.

WARNING: Under Colorado Law, there is no liability for the death of or injury to a participant in an agricultural recreation or agritourism activity resulting from the inherent risks of the agricultural recreation or agritourism activity, pursuant to section 13-21-121, Colorado Revised Statutes. Reference to equine includes horses, ponies, mules, donkeys, or hinnies.

There are risks associated with participating in Equestrian Activities (whether observing or actively participating). Equestrian Activities include but are not limited to donkey activities and running of any kind, such as trail running, running through obstacles, jumping, and ground work; handling donkeys on the ground; and activities incidental to  handling of donkey es such as grooming, leading, saddling, feeding and simply being on the premises.

Participating in Equestrian Activities includes significant risks. Donkeys are unpredictable in all circumstances. For example, without warning, donkeys can kick, strike, bite, rear, bolt, fall down, and react to the environment, sudden movements, noise, people and other animals or objects (regardless of training, usual past behavior, or characteristics). Equipment may break; saddles may slip; and other runners or handlers may not control their animals. In running especially, donkeys may spook, balk at a hazard such as creek or street curb, run off a trail, or otherwise cause the rider to runner control, creating risks for the runners and other participants. The Participant or other participants may overestimate their ability or fitness to run with or handle donkeys; be inattentive; lose control of their horse; misunderstand or misuse equipment. Equipment used in an activity may be misused, or may break, fail or malfunction. 

There are many other risks involved with equine activities. All participants will be required to execute an Agreement for Release of Liability, Assumption of Risk, and Indemnity in consideration for receiving permission to participate in Equestrian Activities.