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) All animals entering the property are expected to have up-to-date vaccinations to minimize the risks of spreading or contracting communicable diseases. Refer to the vaccine guidelines from the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) at the end of these Rules.
3) 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.
4) Keep all vehicle wheels on gravel; do not park on grass or in woods.
5) 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.
6) 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.
7) 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.
8) 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.
9) 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).
10) 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.
11) Do not alter arena footing or any property without express permission from Park management.
HORSE HANDLING
12) No horses in RV spaces #2-15 or in wooded tent camping area.
13) No tying to arena fences, trees or other structures.
14) Horses may not be tied to trailers unattended.
15) All horses on the property overnight must be kept in a stall (one horse per stall) with bedding and water.
16) Turn out/free lunging is not allowed in arenas; please use the round pen or lunge pads.
17) Lunge in designated areas only; no lunging or circling in arenas without prior approval of Park management.
TRAILS
18) Stay on designated pathways and trails; do not forge new paths or disturb vegetation that comprise the Horse Park’s fragile woodland ecosystem.
19) No motorized vehicles or horse-drawn carriages on trails, including dirt roads, except as authorized by Park management.
20) 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.
21) Although not required, it’s a good idea to take a powered-up cell phone with you on the trails.
OTHER VEHICLE PARKING RULES
22) 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.
23) 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.
24) Only licensed persons may operate a motorized vehicle on Horse Park grounds; no children driving ATV’s, scooters, etc.
HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES
25) All users of the Horse Park and its facilities understand and acknowledge being informed that the Horse Park will comply with all regulations regarding COVID-19 and any other serious communicable diseases imposed by the State of Washington Department of Health and/or the Kittitas County Department of Health.
26) Call 911 immediately in the event of an emergency. Other emergency contact information may be posted at/near the Office.
27) 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.
28) Obey any directives pursuant to an Emergency Evacuation or Containment Plan, or Bio-Security Plan, as directed by Park management and local officials.
29) 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.
30) If hazardous conditions occur, (e.g., lightning, heavy rain, ice, heavy wind, etc.) the Horse Park has the right to postpone or cancel any activity or event.
31) 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.
32) 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.
American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP)
Core Vaccination Guidelines
Ask your vet about these and other vaccines that help protect against serious disease and should be administered based on the horse’s activities. AAEP statement: “Core vaccines have clearly demonstrated efficacy and safety, and thus exhibit a high enough level of patient benefit and low enough level of risk to justify their use in the majority of patients.”
Annually:
- Eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE)
- Western equine encephalomyelitis (WEE)
- Rabies
- Tetanus
- West Nile Virus
- Twice annually:
- Influenza/Rhinopnuemonitis (FluRhino)
For more information about these and other vaccines and about other equine health issues, please refer to the AAEP’s website and consult with your own veterinarian.
2-9-2023