email : Webview : Saddle Up! Reopening Update & Plans Aug 2020

Back in the Saddle! Fall Programs Begin September 14!

Saddle Up! will still look and operate differently this fall, but we are excited to resume modified programming for adaptive riding, therapy services, alumni transitions, interactive vaulting, and Saddle Up! Equestrian Club. Our very limited Summer Session went smoothly, and we are now ready to begin Fall Session and move to the next phase of opening.

Of course, we will continue following CDC health and safety protocols and respond immediately to any changes in governmental agency guidance. Everyone on property will be signed in, have temperature and symptoms checked prior to entering the building, and be required to wear a mask. By signing in, we will have a complete list of everyone on property to allow for contact tracing.

Saddle Up! is committed to providing the safest environment possible for our participants, volunteers, and staff. Saddle Up! leadership reviewed Williamson County, State of TN, CDC, and PATH International guidelines and recommendations. We are happy to report that we had a safe summer session, and we are now on a sensible path to modified fall programming!

With an abundance of caution and based on credible common-sense consult, our leadership created the following phased opening plan.

PHASES FOR PROGRAM REOPENING

Phase One: Started June 1, 2020:

Limited Volunteer Feeders phased back into the feeder schedule after infection control training with a staff member.

Limited Pony Pals phased back in on a strict schedule after infection control training with a staff member.

Phase Two: Started June 29, 2020:

4 weeks- revised Summer Session, Adaptive Riding only

Extremely limited enrollment for participants who can mount and ride independently with no physical contact from our staff or volunteers.

Limited to unmounted participants who are independent in their lesson tasks.

Alternative scheduling that is limited to 2 participants at a time for a 40-minute lesson with no grooming or tacking allowed.
Only Volunteer Leaders will be needed for revised summer session.

Phase Three: September 2020: Fall Session begins September 14, 2020

Participants that require physical support return.

Continue scheduling no more than two participants in a lesson with no grooming or tacking.

Participants that require sidewalker will be scheduled for a 40-minute lesson.
Participants that require two sidewalkers will be scheduled for a 40-minute lesson with a volunteer sidewalker and a parent volunteer sidewalker.

Unmounted skills for some programs will be done virtually.

Phase Four: Date To Be Determined All participants can return

Participants that require two sidewalkers may be scheduled with one other rider for a 40-minute lesson.

Unmounted skills can be done on site with limitations.

Phase Five: Date To Be Determined

Programming can return to pre-pandemic scheduling and all volunteers/staff can return to normal operations. Increased cleaning and sanitizing protocols will still be in place.