Washington State Horse Park
2021 RULES AND REGULATIONS
The Washington State Horse Park Authority strives to operate the Horse Park in a safe, sustainable manner; to provide a healthy environment for recreation and enjoyment, and to preserve the natural beauty of the setting to the fullest extent possible.
GENERAL RULES
1) Obey all permanent and temporary signs posted by the Horse Park.
2) Prior to unloading, visitors bringing a horse onto the property are to immediately register using the master registration form either at the Visitors Registration kiosk or on line at wahorsepark.org which includes signing the liability release and paying relevant fees. 3) Keep all vehicle wheels on gravel; do not park on grass or in woods.
4) Be aware that wildlife may be present in and around the Park: be prepared for sudden interactions, keep dogs on leash, carry your cell phone, etc.
5) Dogs must be on leash and under control at all times to protect people, horses and other animals; in addition, barking, aggression and destructive behavior of dogs is not allowed. 6) Serious fire hazards!!
- Only propane-fueled fires are allowed at any time, and only on gravel or bare dirt surfaces at least 8 feet from the nearest vegetation in RV and parking areas. No charcoal, wood or other cinder- producing fire materials allowed at any time.
- No smoking near vegetation of any kind, near stalls, arenas, or in any building. All smoking material is to be fully extinguished and disposed in nonflammable containers, not in trash cans.
7) Any person riding or driving a horse should wear protective head gear. Any adult choosing not to do so, or parent of a child who allows their child to ride/drive without protective head gear, assumes all risks which may result from their decision, including injury or death.
8) Anyone jumping obstacles is required to wear protective headgear and shoes with a heel; those jumping outside of an arena must wear a safety vest. Anyone jumping any man-made cross-country obstacle must be supervised by a professional trainer with proper insurance certificates (see cross country procedures at registration kiosk or on the Park’s website).
9) Consumption of alcohol is strictly prohibited while mounted, and no one impaired by any substance will be permitted to ride or be present around stabling, competition or recreational areas.
10) Do not alter arena footing or any property without express permission from Park management.
HORSE HANDLING
11) No horses in RV spaces #2-15 or in wooded tent camping area
12) Horses may not be tied to trailers or other structures unattended.
13) All horses on the property overnight must be kept in a stall (one horse per stall) with bedding and water.
14) Do not tie horses to trees
15) No turn out in arenas
16) Lunge in designated areas by the stalls; no lunging in arenas without prior approval of Horse Park management.
TRAILS
17) Stay on designated pathways and trails; do not forge new paths or disturb the undeveloped ground and vegetation that comprise the Horse Park’s fragile woodland ecosystem. 18) No motorized vehicles or horse-drawn carriages on trails, including dirt roads, except as authorized by Park management.
19) Be aware that wildlife may be present in and around the Park: be prepared for sudden interactions, keep dogs on leash, carry your cell phone on trails, etc.
20) Although not required, it’s a good idea to take a powered-up cell phone with you on the trails.
OTHER VEHICLE & PARKING RULES
21) All vehicles (including cars, trucks, trailers, vans, motor homes, RVs and golf carts) must be parked in designated areas and not on or in vegetation.
22) Any vehicle parked in numbered RV spaces supplied with utility services is required to pay for a hook-up space, whether plugged into utilities or not.
23) Only licensed persons may operate a motorized vehicle on Horse Park grounds.
COVID-19 PANDEMIC RULES
24) All users of the Horse Park and its facilities understand and acknowledge being informed that during the COVID-19 pandemic emergency, the Horse Park will comply with all regulations imposed by the State of Washington Department of Health and/or the Kittitas County Department of Health. These regulations may require Horse Park users to refrain from certain activities within the Horse Park. Each user of the Horse Park facilities agrees to comply with such rules and regulations implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19. If a user is not complying, he/she agrees to leave the Horse Park property at the request of the Horse Park.
25) All users of the Horse Park agree they will cease using its facilities and will leave the property if any of the following occur:
- The user feels sick with fever, cough or difficulty breathing.
- The user has been exposed to a person with a confirmed COVID-19 case; then, in that event, the Horse Park user will not return to the Horse Park or use its facilities until the user has self-isolated for a minimum of 14 days consistent with applicable health department guidelines.
- The Kittitas County Public Health Department has required the Horse Park user to self-quarantine.
26) Each Horse Park user agrees to do the following while at the Horse Park and using its facilities:
- Maintain at least a 6-foot distance from other people.
- Wash hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer after visits to high-traffic areas or upon leaving and returning to the Horse Park.
- Not touch their eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Not shake hands with anyone.
- Not share with anyone tack or horse equipment without sanitizing.
- Use their sleeve to cover their mouth/nose when coughing or sneezing. g. To cover their mouth and nose with some type of mask, bandana or handkerchief when around others while at the Horse Park.
27) All Horse Park users agree to leave the property upon any of the following occurring: a. A user shows signs of COVID-19 (fever, cough, or trouble breathing). 28) An employee requests the user to leave the property because of a violation of these COVID-19 Pandemic Rules.
OTHER HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES
29) Call 911 immediately in the event of an emergency. Other emergency contact information may be posted at/near the Office.
30) The Horse Park must be made aware of any accident or injury requiring emergency medical treatment as soon as practical after qualified medical assistance is contacted. 31) Obey any directives pursuant to an Emergency Evacuation or Containment Plan, or Bio Security Plan, as directed by Park management and local officials.
32) The Horse Park reserves the right to establish areas where alcohol and other mind-altering substances may and may not be consumed, and the right to remove from the Horse Park any visitor if, in the sole judgment of the Horse Park, the individual is unable or unwilling to follow the rules and regulations established by the Horse Park and/or creates a disturbance or unsafe circumstances for themselves, other visitors and/or their horses.
33) If hazardous conditions occur, (e.g., lightning, heavy rain, ice, heavy wind, etc.) Horse Park has the right to postpone or cancel any activity or event.
34) Horse Park reserves the right to require immediate removal of a horse to an isolated location at owner’s expense if a horse is deemed by a licensed veterinarian to have, or be a carrier of, an infectious disease.
35) Horse Park may remove dangerous, disruptive or unlawful persons from Horse Park property or vehicles improperly parked, request the assistance of law enforcement officers in removal of such persons or vehicles and to resolve other problematic situations, and request the assistance of emergency medical personnel, veterinarians or law enforcement officers to address any issues that come to the attention of the Horse Park
The Horse Park will take whatever action is necessary to enforce these Rules and Regulations, which may include towing of offending vehicle(s), fines and/or restrictions on future use of the Horse Park.
The Washington State Equine Limitation of Liability Act, RCW4.24, applies to all horse related activities associated with the Horse Park. Horses by their very nature present a risk of injury, harm or death. Riders represent that they are qualified to participate in the activities and at the levels they elect. All horses on the property participate entirely at the owner’s and rider’s risk and are in their care and custody while at the Park, including transportation in case of an emergency. The owner/rider is personally responsible for damages to third parties caused by themselves or their horse.