MIDLAND COUNTY 4-H EXCEPTIONAL RIDERS--TALL IN THE SADDLE

Michigan 4-H Proud Equestrian Program

STUDENT ADMISSION POLICIES

            Tall in the Saddle is a 4-H Proud Equestrian Program which provides therapeutic horseback riding for youth and young adults with disabilities in a fun format and safe environment.  It is operated under the auspices of the MSU Extension of Midland County. Students are accepted into the program by the placement committee according to the following guidelines:

1.  Tall in the Saddle is organized by and dependent upon volunteers for program operation.  Acceptance of applicants

     may depend on the capabilities of our volunteer roster, both horses  and people.

2.       Those eligible for Tall in the Saddle riding classes are the Learning Disabled, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Cognitively Impaired, Physically Impaired, Hearing Impaired, Visually Impaired, Emotionally Impaired or Otherwise Health Impaired.  Tall in the Saddle is a 4-H Proud Equestrian program.  As such it uses the NARHA * guidelines of “who can ride” in it’s decision-making for guidance with all medical and non-medical conditions of applicants.  We strive to make sure that it is safe for a rider to participate.  Our first consideration is to “do no harm”.  The guidelines may indicate that due to a child’s condition it may not be safe or in the child’s best interest to ride horses.

•  North American Riding for the Handicapped Association -- www.NARHA.org

3.  All applicants must be between the ages of 8 and 25 years of age and under 180 pounds to be accepted and to

     participate in the program.   Applicants younger than 8 years will be placed on a waiting list until they are old enough to

     participate. 

4.  Riders may continue riding with Tall in the Saddle as long as:

• They are interested in participating.
• They are under 25 years of age.  (Riders will graduate from Tall in the Saddle at the end of the session during or just before they reach the age of 25.
• They are under 180 pounds,
• The program and its current volunteer roster (horse and people) is capable of safely helping them participate, 
• The rider’s medical condition/s will not be aggravated by participation in the Tall in the Saddle program  (as judged by the NARHA guidelines and the riding instructor/s and therapist advisor/s).
• They are benefiting from participation as judged by the riding instructors.

5.  Applicants will be placed in classes in order of receipt of applications whenever possible.  Availability

     of appropriate class vacancies will affect order of placement.

6.  A waiting list will be maintained.  It is our desire that all applicants, within the criteria of the admissions

     policies, will eventually be placed in an appropriate class.

7.  UPON ACCEPTANCE into the program, and once each year thereafter, all student s will be required

      to complete the following forms prior to riding:

• Physician’s Referral Form (to be completed by rider’s physician)
• Rider Registration & Emergency Treatment Form
• Parent-Guardian/Adult Rider Informed Consent Form
• Liability Release Agreement Form
• Photo Release Form (Optional)

8.  DOWN’S SYNDROME APPLICANTS:  All Down’s Syndrome applicants must provide proof of a negative diagnostic

     x-ray for Atlantoaxial Dislocation Condition (A.D.C.) from their physician prior to riding in their first scheduled class and

     yearly thereafter.  A form will be provided for the physician to complete.  It is not required for initial application, only

     upon acceptance into the riding program.  More information on A.D.C. is available upon request.

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer.  Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status.

Revised 8/9/08