The Non Ridden Equine Association UK Constitution

Our Aims: 

To play a part in relieving the equine crisis in the UK. The UK is in the grip of a dreadful equine crisis. Non ridden equines often get treated as second class citizens and are seen to have little value. The non ridden equines are the most disadvantaged and the hardest to place from welfare organisations. We aim to encourage people to adopt non ridden equines from welfare organisations. There is a world of fun with horses that has nothing to do with riding. 

  • How – By providing a free information website promoting the many benefits and pleasures of owning a non ridden equine. The website will be educational, informative and showcase good practice. It will highlight there is more to horse ownership than riding. We will also work with welfare organisations to promote the rehoming of their non ridden equines. On the website we will provide links to welfare organisations who wish to sign up to being included on our listing. 
To influence cultural shift, as many people who choose not to ride are often isolated and feel the need to justify horse ownership of a non ridden equine. Many face pressures and ridicule. 

  • How - We have already provided an on-line platform for people to meet up, discuss, share ideas and support each other. We launched the Non Ridden Equine Facebook Group on 4th May 2017 and even without any marketing it currently is attracting about 400 members per month and is growing fast. There is a very active posting from members and a community spirit. However there is still far more that needs to be done. Facebook works at one level our vision is for a comprehensive website that is a one stop shop for non ridden equine owners. 
To raise the bar of welfare for non-ridden equines. Non ridden equines can have full and rewarding lives far beyond being a companion to a ridden equine. There are ethical and rewarding activities that provide equines with life enrichment. 

  • How - We aim to promote via our website the many physical and emotional benefits of non ridden horsemanship activities for equines and humans. We will showcase good practice. Provide information on day to day activities for the non ridden equine that promote good physical and emotional health and well being for both horse and human. 
Promote and develop a resource bank packed full of horsemanship resources with activities aimed just for non ridden equines. A place people can visit for ideas and inspiration for activities they can do with their non ridden horse. 

  • How – We will invite equine professionals and the public to contribute to the on-line resource library. Our aim is to have different perspectives and voices from the equine world contributing. So it is rich and diverse. Our passion is to provide resources that inspire and encourage people to enjoy activities with their equines. It will be about education, gaining insights, knowledge and expertise. It will be promotion of good ethical practice in non ridden horsemanship. 
In the future we would like to provide on-line a section on the website that lists useful local contacts for each area. As working one to one with a professional can make a huge difference. Plus supply information on local networks and groups. 

  • How – Researching for each area groups, networks and organisations that provide complimentary services for non ridden equines. This will include horsemanship professionals who are happy to provide horsemanship for non ridden equines. As we are not in the business of promoting one type of horsemanship over another; we will ask that these organisations and professionals to agree to a broad ethical code of practice as set out by the Association. Once data has been collected we will use this to create listings for each geographical region within the UK. 
To be a signposting service. So a section of the website will be dedicated to helping people find information on good husbandry and welfare. We aim to provide links to FREE information on good equine husbandry and care. Along with links to a host of organisations that already provide opportunities for engaging in competing non ridden. Such as horse agility, on-line showing, on-line horsemanship etc... 

  • How – Researching relevant organisations that can provide expert information and advice for the non ridden horse. Once collected a brief overview will be made available on the website with links to direct people for in depth information. 
Showcase good practice of the therapy aspect of non ridden equines. Share how horses can help with personal development and aiding individuals with social integration. Horses are great for mind, body, spirit and soul. 

  • How – The website will have a dedicated section which will promote the various different approaches in equine facilitated learning / therapy. With links to experts for further reading. The website will also providing space on the website for individuals to contribute their stories if they want to share their experiences. The association is a collective voice for the horse. What we can learn from our horses is incredible. It is said when the student is ready the teacher will arrive. Some teachers have two legs, some four. The interactions and what we learn from horses can be life changing, profound and magical. 
How will all the above be done? Vicki Jayne Yates will firstly research funding. As this is a huge task which will need a dedicated amount of time to complete and on-going management. 

Membership 

The Non Ridden Equine Association UK is passionate about providing equal opportunity. The non ridden equine faces discrimination and the association members are the collective voice for change. Therefore the association will not discriminate on the grounds of the horsemanship approach followed, gender, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, sexuality, disability, religious or political belief, marital status or age. We are a platform promoting many voices with a shared vision. Therefore the group is open to: 

  • Horse owners and non horse owners. 
  • Anyone who has an equine they do not ride. 
  • People who ride but have an interest in non ridden activities.
  • Any age and stage of horsemanship from novices through to equine professionals. 
Members will be asked to be supportive to others, be mindful and willing to learn from each other. We all have horses in our lives for very different and personal reasons. It doesn’t make one reason or approach to engaging with equines right and another wrong. We are all on a very personal journey of discovery and enlightenment. By sharing, being open minded and listening to understand each other we have a golden opportunity to make a difference. 

Membership Fees If funding can be secured the aim would be to make the membership FREE. This is so it can be as inclusive as possible. 

Benefits of Membership 

  • Free access to all the on-line resources. 
  • Members have the opportunity to be involved in creation of resources for the website. This will include credit for their input. 
  • Professionals can have FREE listing in directories to promote their work and practices with a link to their website. 
  • Opportunities to work with like-minded people. As their will be a greater awareness of each other and the skills sets people bring. 
  • Opportunities to be part of development of The Non Ridden Equine Association UK. 
How Can People Join? People can join by completing a simple on-line form on the website. Once completed their membership request will be automatically sent from the website via e-mail to be processed. Their details will be placed on a secure database and not shared with third parties. They will receive a welcome e-mail.  

So there will be the need for administration of membership. The membership list will be used to communicate to members via e-mail. They will receive updates on new information appearing on the website. Plus details of meetings and how if they choose they can get involved. The circumstance of removal of a member from the group will be if they done something that goes against the ethos and aims of the group. Anyone who wishes to cease being a member can e-mail and cancel their membership at any time. 

The Association Structure 

The Non Ridden Equine Association UK is a membership association that brings together the public and professionals under one roof. Vicki Jayne Yates and her husband Steve Yates are the founding members of the association. It is a network. It will is a not for profit association. Any profits after running costs will be put back into the running of the association. 

Management Committee and Officers 

Chair – Vicki Jayne Yates. The Chair is responsible for the smooth and fair running of the organisation. Her main job is the day to day running of the association and to chair the meetings of the organisation. 

Secretary – Steve Yates  

Treasurer – Christine Hopkins 

Fundraiser - Di Davenport

Other Roles Other roles such as Press Officer, Membership Secretary, Website Manager, Marketing, etc…are likely to fall under the remit of Vicki Jayne Yates at the moment.  

The Steering Committee are a number of professionals who support The Non Ridden Equine Association UK. They provide advice on the running of the association and we will consult with them on funded project work we undertake. 

Professional Team The association is run by volunteers who freely give up their time and expertise for free. We are an association run by members for it's members. 

The Non Ridden Equine Facebook Group has a team of professionals who run our Non Ridden Equine Facebook group, who we can call upon to help with the Non Ridden Equine Association UK. 

Co-opting. We will from time to time co-opt people into the running of the association because they have particular skills or knowledge (such as fundraising or accountancy). 

Themed Focus Groups 

When The Non Ridden Equine Association UK is working on a theme or project a focus groups will be created by Vicki Jayne Yates to call upon specialist expertise. These focus groups can provide advice, support, input and direction. 

The aim is to bring together this network of professionals and the public. Vicki Jayne Yates has vast experience in network development as she successfully ran for Campaign for Learning with funding from the Learning Skills Council the National Family Learning Network which had over 6,000 professional practitioners working with approximately 5 million families a year. She has a wealth of experience working at national strategic level within education, plus hands on grass roots experience of education of horsemanship. This along with being a multi-published horsemanship practitioner will enable her to have a good rounded knowledge for the task in hand.

Meetings 

An Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held within fifteen months of the previous AGM. All members will be notified via email at least 3 weeks before the date of the meeting, giving the venue, date and time. Nominations for the committee may be made to the Secretary before the meeting, or at the meeting. The quorum for the AGM will be a minimum of 4 members. At the AGM:- 

  • The Committee will present a report of the work of the association over the year.  
  • The Committee will present the accounts of the association for the previous year. 
  • The officers and Committee for the next year will be elected. 
  • Any agenda items given to the Secretary at least 7 days in advance of the meeting will be discussed. 

Committee Meetings 

Committee meetings may be called by the Chair or Secretary. Committee members must receive notice of meetings at least 7 days before the meeting. The quorum for Committee meetings is three Committee members. 

Rules of Procedure for Meetings Agenda items at any meeting will be discussed openly and the meeting will seek to find general agreement that everyone present can agree to. If a consensus cannot be reached a vote will be taken and a decision will be made by a simple majority of members present. If the number of votes cast on each side is equal, the chair of the meeting shall have an additional casting vote. 

Finances 

A bank account will be maintained on behalf of the Association. Records of income and expenditure will be maintained by Vicki Jayne Yates and Steve Yates and sent to the Treasurer (Who is an accountant) so a financial statement can be provided for meetings. All money raised by or on behalf of the association is only to be used to further the aims of the group.

Amendments to the Constitution

Amendments to the constitution may only be made at the Annual General Meeting or a Steering Group Meeting. Any proposal to amend the constitution must be given to the Secretary in writing. The proposal must then be circulated with the notice of meeting. Any proposal to amend the constitution will require a two thirds majority of those present and entitled to vote. 

Dissolution 

If a meeting, by simple majority, decides that it is necessary to close down the group it may call a Special General Meeting to do so. The sole business of this meeting will be to dissolve the group. If it is agreed to dissolve the group, all remaining money and other assets, once outstanding debts have been paid, will be donated to a local charitable organisation. The organisation will be agreed at the meeting which agrees the dissolution.