Merry-Go-Round is home to a large equestrian facility and abundant wildlife. These practical rules and tips are designed to keep both humans and animals safe.
Horses, Barns and Rings
Non-Boarders: Do not enter the barns, paddocks or rings if you are not a boarder/lessee (unless you are with a boarder/lessee).
Feeding/Petting: Do not feed any horse or put your hands near a horse unless you know the owner of the horse and the owner has given you express permission to feed and/or pet the horse.
Noise/Movements: Horses are easily startled. Do not run or make loud noises around the horses. Do not approach a horse from behind or make quick movements around them. Call "door" when passing the indoor ring or approaching rings. This alerts the riders and horses to your approach.
Children:
- Barns -- Children must be accompanied by an adult when in the barns.
- Horse Fields -- Children may not go into the horse fields unless they are getting a horse out for a ride.
- Bicycles and Strollers -- Bicycles and baby strollers are not permitted in the barn aisles.
Dogs: No dogs are allowed in the barns, rings, or horse pastures.
Smoking: Absolutely no smoking in or around the barns.
Haylofts: Please stay out of the haylofts or any other unsupervised areas of the barns.
Driving: When driving past a rider with a horse, please slow down or pull over to let them pass safely, and never honk your horn!
Dogs
- Keep your dogs on a leash in MGRF common areas. MGRF follows Montgomery county regulations when it comes to dogs. This means that dogs must be on a leash whenever they are off the owner's premises. The common areas of MGRF are NOT considered any owner's premises.
- No dogs are allowed in the barns, rings and horse pastures, and be considerate of horses and riders. You may not realize how a dog can startle a horse. Both horses and people do not necessarily know that a running dog will stop at an “invisible fence.”
- When walking on the trails or around the barns with your pets, make sure you keep them on a leash and under control.
Snakes
We have a number of varieties of snakes on MGRF. Most are quite harmless and help keep the mice out of our barns and homes. Some however, like the Northern Copperhead, are venomous, and warrant caution.
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Northern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen)
Most snakes prefer to avoid people, but some species can become aggressive if disturbed. Click
here for more information on venomous snakes in Maryland.
Foxes
Red Fox (Vulpes Vulpes)
We have many foxes on the grounds, and most
instinctively avoid people. Be wary of an overly friendly fox. If you are ever
unsure or concerned regarding the health of a fox on MGRF property, please contact Dave Chambers at 301-580-9361 and let him know where you last saw the fox and the nature of your concern.
Deer
MGRF is home to several herds of Whitetail Deer. Although they may eat your landscaping, hunting on MGRF property is strictly prohibited.
Whitetail Deer Fawn (Ipsum bellus animalis)
