Terms and Conditions

1. Scope

These Terms and Conditions apply to all services offered by Raphaela's Equine Therapy in the areas of equine therapy, horse-assisted developmental support, therapeutically supported pony mornings, holiday, individual and group programmes, coaching and other services involving horses and ponies.

These conditions are accepted when an appointment is made, a registration is submitted or a person participates.

2. Nature of the services

All services are provided within the scope of the provider's work as an equine therapist. They are based on a mindful, developmentally supportive and safe approach to horses and ponies.

Each service is arranged individually and according to the situation, taking account of developmental stage, how participants feel that day, the group situation and the wellbeing of people and animals.

The services do not replace medical, psychiatric, psychotherapeutic or other healthcare treatment. No promise of a cure is made.

3. Interaction with horses and time on the farm

Visitors enter the farm and interact with horses and ponies at their own risk. Horses are flight and herd animals and may react unpredictably despite careful selection and supervision.

Typical risks such as shying, stumbling, sudden movement, kicking, biting, bolting, loss of balance, slipping or falling cannot be entirely excluded, even with careful supervision.

The instructions of the provider and supervising staff must be followed at all times. Animals may be fed, led, tied up or entered into their enclosure only with express permission.

4. Safety areas and farm rules

The hayloft, hay shaft, barn, storage, machine and vehicle areas, feed store, unaccompanied pastures and paddocks, and areas that have not been approved must not be entered.

Running, shouting, pushing and rough play are prohibited near the animals. Stable tools may be used only under instruction. Participants may be excluded from individual activities if there are safety concerns.

5. Safety equipment

Children and young people under the age of 18 must wear a helmet when riding. All participants must wear sturdy, closed footwear. A participant may be excluded from individual activities if clothing is unsuitable or required safety equipment is missing.

6. Minors and duty of supervision

The duty of supervision begins when the child is personally handed over to the provider or a supervising person and ends when the child is handed to an authorised collector. Parents or legal guardians are responsible before and after the service. A child may travel home independently only with written permission.

7. Health requirements

Participants or their legal guardians confirm that no health limitation exists that would prevent participation.

Allergies, chronic illnesses, mental-health considerations, medication and other relevant limitations must be disclosed in full before the service begins. Participation in individual activities may be refused where there are health risks.

Medical assistance may be arranged in an emergency if a parent or legal guardian cannot be reached in time.

8. Health incidents and accidents

Parents or legal guardians will be informed of relevant health incidents or accidents. These include, in particular, falls, blows to the head, kicks, bites, visible injuries and severe shock or anxiety reactions. The provider's assessment does not replace a medical examination; medical advice should be sought if there is any doubt.

9. Delivery and weather arrangements

Regular therapy, developmental and supervised sessions generally take place throughout the year in normal weather. If work with horses or outdoors is temporarily not possible, an alternative educational, therapeutic or horse-assisted activity may take place.

There is no entitlement to particular programme elements or to riding itself. Delivery is decided with regard to safety, weather, the group situation, health and animal welfare.

A service is cancelled completely only in cases of acute danger, severe-weather warnings, illness or injury of a therapy horse, illness of the provider or comparable circumstances.

10. Holiday programmes and pony mornings

Pony mornings, holiday programmes and group services are accompanied therapeutically and designed for the relevant age group. They may include supervised stable duties, grooming and care, groundwork, guided riding, creative activities, and nature and awareness experiences. There is no entitlement to a particular activity.

11. Appointments and lateness

Sessions begin at the agreed time. If a participant is late, the session is shortened accordingly without reducing the fee.

12. Fees and payment

Fees are based on the current price list or an individual agreement. Unless agreed otherwise, payment is made before the service, immediately afterwards or by the agreed payment method. Invoices can be sent electronically on request.

13. Cancellations

Individual appointments must be cancelled at least 48 hours in advance. If an appointment is cancelled later or the participant does not attend, the full fee will be charged unless the appointment can be allocated to someone else. For group services, the price may change according to the current price list if individual participants cancel at short notice.

14. Image and audio recordings

Image and audio recordings are made only in accordance with the law. Publication or use for advertising, including on websites, flyers or social media, takes place only with separate express consent. Consent may be withdrawn at any time with effect for the future.

15. Liability

Liability is governed by law. Liability for loss arising from injury to life, body or health is determined by the statutory provisions. For other loss, liability applies only in cases of intent or gross negligence to the extent permitted by law. Mandatory statutory provisions, in particular those concerning animal-keeper liability, remain unaffected.

16. Exclusion of participants

Participants may be excluded if they disregard safety instructions, endanger people or animals, present health risks or substantially disrupt delivery of the service. In such a case, reimbursement is due only where required by law.

17. Data protection

Personal data is processed only to organise, provide and administer the services. It is disclosed only where permitted by law, necessary to provide the service or required in a medical emergency.

18. Severability

If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is or becomes wholly or partly invalid, the validity of the remaining provisions is not affected.