COVID-19 Virus
For the moment, AHEAD With Horses is continuing to offer lessons on a normal schedule. None of our activity involves large groups of people in confined spaces. We are outdoors, typically in groups of 2 to 4 people around one horse. Importantly, current information indicates the virus is less dangerous to children, the main group we serve. The AHEAD With Horses ranch is low risk itself, but we realize many of our riders are vulnerable with pre-existing conditions. We will evaluate this continuously in light of emerging events. We want to keep all of the AHEAD With Horses students, volunteers and staff healthy.
We are asking for your help with a few precautions such as:
Your health: If you or your child are sick, please stay home. If you or a family member are unwell with symptoms such as a fever, nausea, or cough please stay home until you have been fever-free, without fever-reducing medicine, for a minimum of 24 hours. This is our policy in general. If you or a family member, or someone you live with has a COVID-19 diagnosis please let us know as soon as possible. We want to notify any people you may have come in contact with while you were at the ranch. We will credit any lesson fees paid for future lessons when all are better.
When you arrive at the ranch: Please wash your hands! We are encouraging hand washing for a 20-second duration. It’s the single best way to stop the spread of the virus. We don’t know where you have been prior to arriving, and want to make sure that all that you touched before stays outside our gates. Our hands-free sink is located next to the port-o-potties very close to our arena.
Handles: We will be wiping down the handles (vaulting surcingles) that the children hold onto while on the horse in between riders.
Helmets: If your child wears a helmet: we are encouraging all riders to purchase their own helmets. They are very close to the face and the small parts are very difficult to sanitize thoroughly. (We spray them with Lysol, but that might not get in all of the small straps and buckles.) Troxel sells a perfectly fine helmet for $38 (https://www.troxelhelmets.com/products/sport?variant=2333277891) and there are many choices from $50 to $100. If you don’t know your size or have any questions, please call or email and we will try and figure out what size your child normally wears. Please do not buy a second hand helmet! (You do not know if it is old and the materials have deteriorated or has been compromised by a fall.)
Bandanas/Bibs: If your child has the tendency to drool or have an excess amount of saliva, we ask that you please send them to their lesson with a bib, bandana or towel to try and keep that fluid from touching other surfaces.
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions and stay healthy!
