The Hideout and Spaceport America Vacation Tours
maintain SAFETY RULES for horseback riding:

• Every rider must read and sign a Full and Complete Release of Liability and Indemnity Agreement
  
• Conduct yourself quietly and calmly around all horses.
  
• When approaching a horse from behind, move slowly and speak to the animal in a calm manner.
  
• Be considerate of your fellow riders and avoid behavior around horses which might cause others to be injured.
• Horses are normally quiet animals. However, loud sounds, sudden movements, and hitting a horse can cause the animal to run, kick, shy away and possibly injure you or another person.
• Never, ever hit a horse!!
• Always approach a group of riders at a walk. To do otherwise could be dangerous.
• Always enter and leave the corral or barn at a walk.
• Mount from the left side, keeping your body in close to the horse to avoid jabbing the animal with your toe.
• Dismount to adjust clothing or equipment only after informing your guide.
• Never mount or dismount without the help and guidance of your guide.
• No hacking.
• Rides are all guided.
• Always obey instantly the command of your guide.
• Keep a horse's length distance between horses on the trail, and keep your horse in line. This will prevent horses from biting or kicking each other and endangering the riders.
• When riding on roads, face the traffic on the left of the roadway.  
• No smoking in barns or in the vicinity of stored hay or feed.

Criteria for DENIYING a horse ride:

• Obviously scared and intimidated person.
• Obviously out of shape person.
• Weight limit of 200 lbs.
• Improper clothing. Proper clothing is long sleves, jeans, protective gear.
• Inability to communicate rules and procedures.
• Not following rules or instructions.
• The weather deems it necessary (i.e., lightning, ice, wind).

RULES for trail rides:

• No one may enter the corral or barns without permission of the guide, staff, management or owners.
• All rules and instructions given by a guide must be followed for a safe ride.
• Long pants are required.
• Shirts must be tucked in and no loose clothing.
• Shoes are required. No sandals or open toed shoes. Boots or hard shoes preferred.
• No ponchos. Scares the horses.
• No clothing may be removed or added while on horseback.
• No canteens or sheath knives may be taken.
• Sit up straight and alert with the ball of your foot in the stirrup.
• You, the rider, will have primary control of your horse. We can't ride him for you. So you have to be fit, no alcohol, no drugs.
• For your safety, the guides have final say in determining who may not ride for physical or other reasons. We'd rather disappoint you than have you injured.
• Walking rides only, no trotting, running or racing of horses. 
• Any guest rider violating ride safety rules or good trail etiquette must dismount and walk to the stable.
• Riders under 6 years old may be taken in the front of the saddle with an experienced adult rider.
• No riding double of riders older than 6 years.
• No horseback riding while wearing backpacks or carrying bulky items. Only small backpacks allowed for carrying drinks (water).
• If a rider drops anything from a horse, the guide will pick it up.
  
  
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  We take you places on horseack.
  You will enjoy the great mountain views and the rides through the National Forest.
  Our friendly and knowledgeable guides will give you basic instructions and will make sure that even a novice rider is at ease.
  
  Horseback riding can only be fun if it is done safely. To try insure a safe ride for you and your friends, we are outlining some safety standards. These must be understood and followed by all participants and guest of Alto Hombre Gordito Hidout and Spaceport America Vacation Tours.
  
  Remember a horse is a living and caring animal. Treat it with kindness and respect and your ride will be a happier and safer one.
  
  Safety helmets are available for riders who would like to use one.
  
  We are concerned for your safety. However, horses are large powerful animals even though all rules are followed, because of the nature of the animal, no guarantees can be made.
  
  It is the guide's responsibility to provide a safe ride for all participants. Occasionally, they may be called upon to make a decision that may disappoint a participant by denying that person a horse ride. Such decisions will be made maturely and without malice.
  
  Persons with injuries on spine, neck or knee are not fit for horseback riding. It is your own responsbility to inform your guide about those type of injuries
  
  A system to determine rider experience and capability is in place. Overweight and young riders will be carefully screened by the guide for ability to safely ride.
  
  The guides will explain elementary riding safety, including how to control a runaway horse, and also check to ensure that the rider is physically and mentally fit to ride a horse.
  
  All trail rides are guided by an experienced guide who is at least 18 years old.  An optimum ratio of 4 horses to 1 guide will be maintained.  Guides be provided with GPS systems and cell phones to communicate with the main office in case of emergency.
  
  No bareback riding, it increases the risk to riders, with no stirrups to balance on or saddle to hold onto, to prevent the rider from slipping off. We are always using a Western sadle. Hold on to the horn.
  
  There is no question that weight limitations for riders are an important safety issue. The maximum weight is 200 lbs., and we enforce this rider requirement. You also need to have good balance and muscle control. People rusty in their riding skills with difficulty to mount a horse might be denied to ride.

Enjoy your ride!

WARNING:
Under New Mexico 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.
New Mexico Statutes 42-13