Quality Policy
Kawell Horseback Expeditions and the other companies offering their products on this website are obliged to abide by the following:
- To have adequate means of communication (phone, voice mail, email or fax) in order to answer clients’ requests and enquiries in a reasonable timeframe.
- To be able to give clear and detailed information on the services, detailing the services in – and excluded from - the price. To make sure all parties are informed on the conditions and obligations beforehand.
- To plan and provide a tasty and nutritional range of food and beverages on a daily basis, corresponding to the needs of those practicing outdoor sports and activities.
- To hold a survey after each trip in order to optimize the services with the feedback given.
- To use horses which are in good physical condition, good natured, well trained and familiar with the environment.
- To have equipment that is in a good state (with special attention to belly belts, re-adjustable stirrup straps and stirrups that can accommodate big shoe sizes).
- To inform clients on preventative measures to follow.
- To inform clients beforehand on the general weather conditions, the personal items to bring and to recommend the use of a safety helmet.
- To verify the client’s fitness level and physical condition will enable them to complete and enjoy the trip they have chosen. This requires informing the client in advance of the technical level of difficulty of the route, the remoteness of the destination, the number of hours on horseback and the pace of the trip.
- To verify weather forecasts before the trip and to take adequate measures to ensure the comfort and safety of clients.
- To have a sufficient number of competent guides in order to guarantee the satisfaction and security of the group, no matter how small or large.
- To be in the possession of a medium of communication (cell phone, radio or satellite phone) and a means of navigation (map, compass or GPS) which is appropriate to the terrain and the destination.
- To have an emergency plan.
- To have first-aid skills and equipment which are appropriate to the trip’s duration and isolation and the size of the group
- To respect and preserve the environment. To inform the clients on appropriate protection measures. .
- To follow the “Don’t leave a trace” program which is promoted in Chile:
- Plan and prepare your trip beforehand
- Travel and camp on appropriate, resilient surfaces
- Dispose of garbage in an appropriate way
- Leave things as they are
- Minimize use and impact of fire
- Respect wildlife and flora
- Consider other visitors
- To encourage small groups in order to minimize environmental impact.
- In respect of the horses and/or mules used during the expedition:
- To maintain the animals in good health and to keep them clean, well fed and watered.
- To use saddles that fit the back of each individual horse, and to use a blanket thick enough to protect the back of the horse in order to prevent saddle sores.
- To keep the belly belts in good condition and use soft bridles where possible.
- To keep all horses/mules with good horseshoes during long trips, and to be able to replace them in case of loss.
- To have a first-aid kit for the animals during long trips (containing anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, antibiotics, disinfectant, cream to aid the formation of scar-tissue and to heal wounds, syringes and needles).
- To treat our trail companions well and not to use violent methods while riding. .