The first thing that should be done is to have the staff trained and certified. Or at least the head wrangler needs to be certified, then run the program according to that training. The next thing is to establish some rules for the rides such as no tennis shoes or loafers, but boots or tie shoes with one inch heels and no treaded boots or shoes, long pants only, and a notification that helmets are required for all minors and waivers are required to be signed by all adults who refuse helmets. If people are to sign a valid waiver, they must be offered helmets and there must be enough helmets to make the offer real. The rules should be written and sent to guests with their registration and waiver of liability forms or posted in clear view in cases where the guests are not resident or have not made advance reservation.
People argue less with written or posted rules than they do with the verbal rule.
Staff also respects written procedures more as well. The next way the head wrangler can protect the ranch is to have an orientation which explains in detail the risks of horseback riding, how horses view the world and why we cannot train the horses not to be horses. Riders need to understand a horses instincts and also be aware that when the horse is under mental or physical pressure, the training is replaced by instincts. The riders must be made to understand about spacing on the trail, cinch checks, and the many other procedures for trail riding. Safety should be the obvious chief concern.