CHAPTER 773

773.01

Definitions.

(1) “Engages in an equine activity” means riding, training, assisting in veterinary treatment of, driving, or being a passenger upon an equine, whether mounted or unmounted, visiting or touring or utilizing an equine facility as part of an organized event or activity, or any person assisting a participant or show management. The term “engages in an equine activity” does not include being a spectator at an equine activity, except in cases where a spectator places himself or herself in an unauthorized area.

(2) “Equine” means a horse, pony, mule, or donkey.

(3) “Equine activity” means:

(4) “Equine activity sponsor” means an individual, group, club, partnership, or corporation, whether or not the sponsor is operating for profit or nonprofit, which sponsors, organizes, or provides the facilities for an equine activity, including, but not limited to: pony clubs, 4-H clubs, hunt clubs, riding clubs, school and college-sponsored classes, programs, and activities, therapeutic riding programs, stable and farm owners and operators, instructors, and promoters of equine facilities, including, but not limited to, farms, stables, clubhouses, pony ride strings, fairs, and arenas at which the activity is held.

(5) “Equine professional” means a person engaged for compensation:

(6) “Inherent risks of equine activities” means those dangers or conditions which are an integral part of equine activities, including, but not limited to:

(7) “Participant” means any person, whether amateur or professional, who engages in or any equine that participates in an equine activity, whether or not a fee is paid to participate in the equine activity.

History. — s. 88, ch. 93-169; s. 1182, ch. 97-102; s. 29, ch. 2000-354.

773.02 General provisions.

History. — s. 89, ch. 93-169; s. 93, ch. 99-3.

773.03 Limitation on liability for equine activity; exceptions.

(1) This

section applies to the horseracing industry as defined in

chapter 550.

(2) Nothing in s. 773.02 shall prevent or limit the liability of an equine activity sponsor, an equine professional, or any other person if the equine activity sponsor, equine professional, or person:

History. — s. 90, ch. 93-169; s. 1183, ch. 97-102; s. 30, ch. 2000-354.

773.04 Posting and notification.

(1) Every equine activity sponsor and equine professional shall:

(2) The signs and document described in subsection (1) shall contain the following warning notice:

History. — s. 91, ch. 93-169.

773.05 Limitation on liability of persons making land available to public for recreational purposes.

History. — s. 92, ch. 93-169; s. 94, ch. 99-3.

773.06 Helmet requirements; penalties.

(1) As used in this section, the term “equine” has the same meaning as provided in s. 773.01.

(2) A child who is younger than 16 years of age must wear a helmet that meets the current applicable standards of the American Society of Testing and Materials for protective headgear used in horseback riding and that is properly fitted and fastened securely upon the child’s head by a strap when the child is riding an equine upon:

(3) A trainer, instructor, supervisor, or other person may not knowingly rent or lease an equine to be ridden by a child younger than 16 years of age unless the child possesses a helmet meeting the requirements of this

section or the trainer, instructor, supervisor, or other person renting or leasing the equine supplies the child with a helmet meeting the standards of this section.

(4) A parent or guardian of a child younger than 16 years of age may not authorize or knowingly permit the child to violate this section.

(5) A person who violates subsection (3) or subsection (4) commits a noncriminal violation, punishable as provided in s. 775.083.

(6) This

section does not apply to a child younger than 16 years of age who is riding an equine when the child is:

History. — s. 3, ch. 2009-105.