Spring COVID-19 Policies & Protocol

Stone Ledge Farm
COVID-19 POLICIES & PROTOCOL

Staff Safety

• Staff showing symptoms will not be permitted to work or enter the facility.
• Staff will practice proper social distancing between each other and clients, with mask wearing wherever social distancing is not possible.
• Staff will follow proper sanitizing best practices of hand washing and hygiene.
• Facility will implement access restrictions to prevent clients from entering staff only areas.
• Daily sanitizing of common areas including restrooms, door handles, faucet handles, and any other commonly touched surfaces.

Access to the Facility

• Access to the facility is by appointment only.
• Clients are encouraged to wait to enter the facility until 5 minutes prior to their scheduled lesson time, so as to limit “overlap”, and to be courteous of the previous lesson.
• Access will be restricted to anyone showing symptoms or signs of fever, and SLF reserves the right to deny access to anyone exhibiting symptoms or signs of fever.
• 2 parents/spectators per rider will be permitted to watch during lessons.
• The viewing room will be available to spectators with mask wearing and 6’ distancing encouraged.
• Hand sanitizer will be available and used at the time of entrance and exit of the facility.

During the Session

• As of 2/28/22, mask wearing is strongly recommended for all individuals while on the ground, in high traffic areas, except while riding and driving. Patrons who are unvaccinated or at higher risk for infection should use their best judgment, and remain masked as an extra measure of safety.
• Clients shall not assist with grooming, tacking or untacking of the horse. SLF staff will be handling getting horses ready and untacked for each session.
• All tack will be properly cleaned following each session. Saddles and reins touched by the client will be wiped down after use.
• Only instructors, clients or appropriate staff members are allowed in the arena or workspace during the session to maintain safety.
• Staff can help with mounting and dismounting, but all present are encouraged to wear a mask.
• Students and instructors will maintain recommended social distancing during the session.
• “Hanging around” after the session is strongly discouraged. All clients must leave the facility after their session so that the next client may enter when cleared by staff.

Protocols are fashioned after the Suggested Best Practices for Operating Barns in the COVID-19 Environment, May 4, 2020 from the Joint Leadership Council, comprised of members from the American Hackney Horse Society, American Morgan Horse Association, American Road Horse & Pony Association, American Saddlebred Horse Association, American Saddlebred Registry and the United Professional Horsemen’s Association.