Spring Down Equestrian Center

COVID-19 Guidelines

General Guidelines
SDEC is expected to comply with the most current San Mateo health directives and we must also require clients to comply as well (Reference Order No. c19-5c. Please refer to these orders)

  1. Personal Protective Equipment
    • All people should park with 10 feet between themselves and the next car
    • All people will have temperatures checked upon arrival
    • Office window will stay closed at all times, and horse assignment will be posted on the window. Payments to be placed in mail slot on office door. If you are paying cash, please make sure you have the exact amount for the lesson or pay with a check as change will not be given. Leave cash on the windowsill and we will collect it after you have gone.
    • SDEC staff will wear masks when interacting with lesson clients
    • Lesson clients are required to wear masks while on SDEC property except when riding in a lesson
    • Lesson clients are required to wear gloves (leather or cloth) when riding to limit contamination of tack
    • Parents/those accompanying minors are required to wear masks on SDEC property
  2. Tack Ups
    • Only staff tack ups are permitted at this time
    • Staff will sanitize tack between lessons (wipe down with disinfectant, alcohol or lysol, etc) or a UV sanitizing wand
    • (There may be exceptions if clients wear masks and gloves when handling tack and horses, but not at this time)
  3. Horse Handling
    • Staff will take horse(s) to the arena for lessons
    • Staff will return horse(s) to stall when lessons are finished
    • Lessons will need to be limited to 5 - 6 persons per group lesson
    • Note: clients are asked to wait in/or near their car until their exact lesson time. At that point in time you are to walk directly to the arena and your horse will be handed to you by SDEC staff
  4. Safe Social Distancing
    • We ask that all continue to practice 6-ft social distancing when not mounted
    • This includes parents on the bleachers
    • We ask that only parents or a caregiver attend lessons to limit the number of people at SDEC (no guests for now)
  5. Time at SDEC
    • While SDEC normally encourages spending time with horses, for now clients are asked to leave following lessons
    • Lesson ride times will be 45 minutes for all group lessons to allow the last 15 minutes to sanitize tack and for clients to leave the property
  6. No Shared Safety Equipment (Helmets / Boots)
    • During this period, lesson clients will need to provide their own boots and helmets
    • SDEC can provide online links to obtain these items (Stateline Tack, Dover Saddlery, etc.) as local tack stores are not open at this time , except Carousel Saddlery which is open Tuesday - Saturday from 1 - 4pm.
  7. Hand Washing / Sanitizer
    • To the extent possible, SDEC will provide a washing station and/or hand sanitizer
Thank you for your support in adhering to San Mateo County mandates that will allow us all to safely resume riding and keep Spring Down open within safety/health guidelines.

Camp Guidelines

  • When parking make sure cars are at least 10 feet apart and social distancing beginning when you step out of your car.
  • All campers must have their temperature taken and answer the following questions daily before being allowed into camp. The questions are as follows: 1. Are you feeling all right? 2. Is anyone at home sick? 3. Do you have any underlying medical problem? (ie: asthma etc.)
  • All campers must have their own riding helmets, boots and gloves. Masks must be worn by all campers unless they are riding. Gloves are a must have.
  • Campers will be placed into group of 12 of fewer and will stay in those groups for the entire camp sessions. Campers will not be allowed to intermingle with other groups.
  • Campers must maintain social distancing from others.
  • All tack will be disinfectanted after every rider with UV wands. There will be hand sanitizer and wipes available for campers at various stations.
  • Bathrooms are cleaned after each use.