METS

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The Maryland Equine Transition Service (METS) is a statewide equine safety net initiative of the Maryland Horse Council that provides safe alternatives for horses needing homes by helping owners identify and select the best transition options for their horses. METS is a mobile service, meaning we don’t have a farm facility and we never take ownership of the horses we assist. Horses in need of transition come in every shape, size, breed, color, age, training level, and temperament. METS provides individualized services for these horses, including equine assessment, marketing assistance, end-of-life support, and facilitating the transition of horses to new homes. The program is unique because it works with a wide network of industry organizations and professionals to source the best options – from retraining to retirement – for these horses because no horse in Maryland should ever be at-risk of entering the slaughter pipeline. Many obstacles to placing horses in new homes can be removed when the industry works together to create a network of options for horses, to educate owners about these options, to assist owners when needed, and to select options that are based on the horse’s individual needs. With new national initiatives such as The Right Horse Initiative, the effort to provide options for “horses in transition” is on the rise. Maryland has taken the step to create and share resources to help both owners and horses as they transition into different stages of life.

Taproom Thursdays…

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will hopefully begin soon, once the MDA agrees to permit equine activities. Our original dates of    June 4, 18      July 2, 23      August 6, 20  will be updated and announced on our website. Stay tuned!

Summer Camp Update

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Guess what Gayle has planned for this summer! With the impact of Covid 19, Bar T has had to adjust their program significantly, with staffing and transportation being two major issues. We are instead going to offer our own Specialty Riding Camp! Stay tuned to this site for details!!

LESSONS resuming May 23 and 24

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HI Everyone! Good news that the resumption of lessons can begin the weekend of May 23 and 24–Pony Club and our Recreational lessons!! Everyone has been contacted via Email. If you are uncertain about any details, call Gayle 443 564 1276 for the Rec program; Katherine via email for the Pony Club Program.

Also, for everyone at the farm–students, parents, visitors, boarders, ALL must completed and submit an updated Liability/Release Waiver effective May 1 forward. This is only available online on our website; check the Home Page for details.

Looking forward to seeing everyone soon!! The staff…

Update May 20… for June 13 and 14 Spring Horse Trials

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Current Update 5/20.. while hoping to run our event, much depends on the status of Covid restrictions in the state and our county of Maryland. IF WE CAN GET THE STATE AND COUNTY APPROVAL. BEFORE GOING THRU THE MANY LAYERS INVOLVED, IT WOULD BE MOST HELPFUL TO KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE WANTING TO COMPETE THAT WEEKEND? IF YOU DO, PLEASE ENTER THE EVENT, MINUS THE PAYMENT OPTION. WE WILL FOLLOW THE USEF ACTION PLAN FOR COVID 19 MANAGEMENT AND ARE CONFIDENT WE CAN PROVIDE YOU A SAFE AND WELCOME OPPORTUNITY TO COMPETE!

We will announce a decision on June 5. 

TO ENTER…..Until we are confirmed to run…

1. Please enter WITH ALL REQUIRED PAPERWORK but DO NOT INCLUDE PAYMENT 

2. Once/If we are confirmed to run, this will be announced and PAYMENT SHOULD BE DONE TO COMPLETE EACH ENTRY.

3.  NO ENTRY  will be scheduled until it is complete-paperwork and full payment

4.  NO ENTRY REFUNDS after the POST ENTRY/CLOSING DATE OF JUNE 5.

PLEASE CAREFULLY REVIEW OUR CURRENT OMNIBUS LISTING. THE ENTRY PROCESS ALL PAPERLESS, ALL COMPLETED IN ADVANCE OF THE EVENT/YOUR ARRIVAL. The Omnibus listing is current.

 NEW this year… DRESSAGE TEST OF CHOICE!! Now, have the opportunity to ‘practice’ a test before doing your competition ride ! Riders can perform whatever test they wish, in a different arena and under a different judge before riding their competition test! Get exposure to the dressage area and a chance to do your own test ride first! Sign up under ‘other’, identifying your test of choice and including your fee with the total! Easy!! Also NEW…warm ups and performance arenas with improved attention to cross country footing too! 

Any other ENTRY questions, please contact either [email protected] OR [email protected]

We have a great group of people at Waredaca, who could pull off running a proper event if we have 2 weeks of prep time! And are looking forward to the next time we can host our event, especially with so many changes to share—Jeff Kibbie as our course designer, new logistics, improved warm up areas and the inclusion of our new DRESSAGE TEST OF CHOICE!! Now, have the opportunity to ‘practice’ a test before doing your competition ride! Further details in our Omnibus listing.

And if we do not see you in Mid June, we look forward to hopefully seeing everyone in Mid-August! 

Gretchen, Steph, Robert, Rob and the Waredaca staff

Covid 19 Waredaca Policy update May 15

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Hi everyone,

So far, we have been very fortunate that nobody in our community has gotten ill, thankfully! And this must remain as a top priority going forward.  As it would be a grave reality check if this were to change.

With the resumption of our boarders and students returning, who have all been kept in touch with email, here are some important reminders that apply to everyone:

The Top 3 protective measures of MASKS, PHYSICAL DISTANCING AND PROTECTIVE GLOVES remain in effect indefinitely.  Masks and gloves must be worn at all times, unless you are riding, when masks can be in your pocket.  Gloves are to be disposable or easily cleaned yet highly impermeable. Leather like gloves should work.  Knit or cotton types of gloves are not acceptable.

Worth the reminder from last weeks message…DO NOT come to the barn if you have any symptoms such as fever, coughing, or unusual shortness of breath. Or if you have been exposed to anyone with Corona-like symptoms. BE SMART about this!   

Also, for everyone at the farm–students, parents, visitors, boarders, ALL must completed and submit an updated Liability/Release Waiver effective May 1 forward. This is only available online on our website and will be operational Monday, May 18; check the Home Page for details.

Please only use the porta pots. There is disinfectant in each area. Every user is responsible for sanitizing for the next user.

Come out by yourself. We want to limit the number of people on the farm. If you need someone to drive you out, please limit it to one person and have them stay out of the barn areas.  Spectators are not welcome at this time; hopefully soon tho.

Check our home page Latest News for competition and activity updates. YES the June Checkerboard Starter has been rescheduled for July 25. YES, the Taproom Thursdays will resume on schedule even if limited to our in-house population. The fate of the June 13, 14 Recognized Event remains uncertain. A decision will be made by early June.

We are working hard to keep our staff safe and healthy.  Your cooperation is vital. This needs to be ‘our’ policy going forward, following the CDC and Federal recommendations.  We welcome your suggestions of safeguarding our farm too.  Our thanks in advance for your assistance and support to make this happen.

Gretchen, Robert, Steph, Rob, Gayle, Travis, Colleen and Melanie

Melanie Carson, White Barn Manager

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Melanie grew up here in Montgomery County, but also lived in Savannah, Georgia and Chicago for a while. As a child she rode horses for a few years and returned to the the sport as an adult as a form of exercise, focusing on posture, form, and balance. Her training has been focused on biomechanics and dressage, but is interested in a wide variety equestrian sports, including endurance racing, competitive trail riding, and most especially, mounted archery. 

“I’m very passionate about good horse care and ground training, so I went to the Equine Management Training Center at Sandy River in 2018 for their professional groom certificate program to make horses my full-time career. I’ve groomed and cared for 4**** event horses, 3 year-old OTTBs, and 38 year-old retirees with Cushing’s, and believe they all have something valuable to teach us'”

Melanie went to the Savannah College of Art and Design for her bachelor’s degree, and specialized in comics. Drawing and a variety of other crafts fills up her leisure time. On her days off, Melanie usually goes to the archery range or for a hike with her family’s two dogs.