Hawkins Equine (“Hawkins Equine,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) provides equine services including, but not limited to, hunter/jumper training, general equine training, riding instruction, horse boarding, handling, conditioning, and related activities (collectively, “Equine Activities”).

By accessing this website and/or participating in any Equine Activities or boarding services offered by Hawkins Equine, you acknowledge and agree to the following:

1. Washington State Statutory Warning – RCW 4.24.540

WARNING
Under Washington law, an equine activity sponsor or 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 RCW 4.24.540.

“Inherent risks of equine activities” include, but are not limited to:

• The propensity of a horse to behave in ways that may result in injury, harm, or death

• The unpredictability of a horse’s reaction to sounds, sudden movement, unfamiliar objects, people, or other animals

• Hazards such as surface and subsurface conditions

• Collisions with other animals or objects

• The potential for a participant to act negligently, contributing to their own injury

2. Inherent Risk & Assumption of Risk

You understand and expressly acknowledge that equine activities are inherently dangerous. Horses are large, powerful, and unpredictable animals, and serious injury or death can occur even when proper precautions are taken.

By participating in Equine Activities or boarding horses at Hawkins Equine, you voluntarily assume all risks, known and unknown, foreseeable and unforeseeable, including those arising from the inherent nature of horses, the condition of the premises, weather, equipment, and the actions or inactions of other participants or third parties.

3. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by Washington law, Hawkins Equine shall not be liable for any injury, illness, death, loss, theft, or damage to persons, horses, equipment, vehicles, or personal property arising from or related to:

• Riding, handling, training, or conditioning horses

• Boarding or stabling horses

• Presence on the premises

• Acts or omissions of staff, trainers, contractors, other clients, visitors, or spectators

This limitation applies whether the claim sounds in negligence, contract, premises liability, or otherwise, except where liability cannot be waived under Washington law.

4. No Guarantee of Training or Performance Results

Hawkins Equine makes no representations or guarantees regarding:

• Training outcomes or competition results

• Horse behavior, temperament, rideability, or suitability

• Continued soundness, health, or performance

Training results depend on numerous variables outside our control, including the horse, rider, consistency of training, management, and environment.

5. Boarding-Specific Terms

a. Risk of Loss or Injury to Horses

All horses boarded at Hawkins Equine are boarded at the owner’s sole risk. Hawkins Equine is not an insurer of any horse and is not responsible for loss, injury, illness, escape, theft, death, or damage to any horse, except as required by law.

b. Stableman’s Lien (Washington Law)

In accordance with Washington law, Hawkins Equine retains a stableman’s lien on any horse boarded or trained on the premises for unpaid fees, including but not limited to board, training, veterinary care, farrier services, and other charges incurred on behalf of the horse.

Hawkins Equine may retain possession of the horse until all outstanding balances are paid in full and may enforce such lien as permitted by law.

c. Emergency Veterinary Authorization

In the event of illness, injury, or emergency involving a boarded horse, and if the owner or responsible party cannot be reached promptly, Hawkins Equine is authorized to obtain veterinary care deemed reasonably necessary for the health or welfare of the horse.

The horse owner agrees to be fully responsible for all veterinary, farrier, and related expenses incurred and releases Hawkins Equine from liability for decisions made in good faith during such emergencies.

6. Helmet & Safety Equipment Advisory

Hawkins Equine strongly recommends the use of ASTM/SEI-approved riding helmets and appropriate safety equipment for all mounted activities, regardless of age or experience.

You acknowledge that:

• No helmet or safety equipment can prevent all injuries

• The decision to wear or not wear safety equipment is voluntary

• Failure to wear protective equipment increases the risk of serious injury or death

Participation in Equine Activities without a helmet or safety gear is done entirely at your own risk.

7. Minors

Minors may only participate in Equine Activities with the express consent of a parent or legal guardian, who assumes all risks and responsibility on the minor’s behalf.

8. Third Parties & Visitors

Hawkins Equine is not responsible for the actions, omissions, or conduct of veterinarians, farriers, transporters, spectators, guests, or other third parties present on or near the premises.

9. Health & Suitability

Participants are responsible for ensuring they are physically and mentally capable of participating in Equine Activities. Hawkins Equine does not provide medical, therapeutic, or veterinary advice.

Consult a physician or veterinarian before engaging in equine activities.

10. Acknowledgment

By using this website and/or participating in any services offered by Hawkins Equine, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and accepted this disclaimer and the risks inherent in equine activities.