FAQ: Meadowbrook’s Infectious Disease Control Protocols

With Covid cases surging in the Washington DC region, and the introduction of the new Omicron variant, it is more critical than ever that all members of the Meadowbrook community strictly adhere to Covid prevention protocols. These include the following:
  • Masks must be worn PROPERLY at all times while indoors and outdoors, including in the barn! Masks must cover both the nose and mouth, and may ONLY be removed while mounted. We encourage use of KN95 masks.
  • The tack room is closed, except to jumping level riders picking up or replacing tack. 
  • You may not clean tack or hang out in the tack room. All other indoor spaces, including the lounge and office, are closed to everyone but Meadowbrook staff.
  • No more than one person should be in a stall at a time, except only as needed to assist young riders.
  • Do not come to Meadowbrook if (1) you have tested positive for Covid within the last ten days or (2) you have any of the following symptoms:

      • Loss of taste or smell

      • Sore throat

      • Headache or muscle pain

      • Fever or chills

      • Cough

      • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

To reduce community spread, and keep our staff and riders safe, we need to rely on all of you to follow these guidelines. Therefore, Meadowbrook staff have been instructed to politely but firmly enforce these rules as needed. Riders will be asked to leave the premises after more than one reminder. Please contact Katrina if you have any questions about this!

What are the arrival procedures?

  • Riders and parent/guardian should enter by the northeast gate off of Meadowbrook Lane directly across from the parking area. Look for the green “Rider Entrance” sign.
  • Check your rider in at the farrier shed (small white shed near center of property) by locating your rider’s name on the schedule and placing a check mark next to the name.
  • Once riders are checked in , the parent/guardian (only 1 permitted on the property at a time) may wait at the picnic tables in the middle of the property, or watch their riders from ringside. Parents/guardians are not allowed in the barn, office, or any other indoor spaces.

What about after riding?

  • Riders in Young Horsemanship and Junior Short Stirrup will dismount in the ring and their horses/ponies will be taken care of for them. Those riders should proceed directly to the exit gate to meet their parents.
  • Parents are responsible for being at the exit gate to meet their child at the scheduled conclusion of the lesson. Please make sure your child knows not to leave the property without a parent/guardian.
  • Riders at Beginner -Walk/Trot/Canter levels  should untack and care for their horse/pony as usual.  Clean tack at the stall, and leave it at the stall.
  • Riders at Fundametals level and above  should untack and care for their horse/pony as usual. Clean  your tack at the stall and put away in the tack room.
  • If your horse/pony is being used in a lesson when you arrive, please wait at the central picnic tables until the horse is available.

What should I do while my child’s riding?

  • One parent/guardian may wait on the property while their child is riding. Other family members may not enter Meadowbrook until further notice, as we are legally limited to a certain number of people on the premises at any given time.
  • Parents are welcome to wait at the picnic tables in the middle of the property, or to watch their riders from ringside.