Dear Carousel Ranch families, friends and volunteers,

We are excited to announce that we are working hard to welcome students back to the Ranch beginning next week. Though we wish that we could just open up for everyone at once, the reality is that it will take time to adjust to the “new normal” and to ensure that this slow and cautious re-opening ensures the safety of our students and staff.

We have had many questions over the past month surrounding re-opening – from families, supporters and volunteers. As much as we wish the answers were simple, they are not. And as much as we wish we could have every rider and volunteer back now – we cannot. We must be cautious and responsible as we plan a carefully phased re-opening.

Phase 1 will include our independent riders, allowing us to comply with social distancing requirements and safety measures. Phase 2 will come next bringing back students who will only require one staff member next to them while riding. Return of students will continue in this way, bringing back riders in Phases 1-5 through the beginning of 2021. Some of our students have health needs and concerns that make their return impossible until we have more answers and perhaps a vaccine.

We anticipate that some our RTW Level classes will return in the weeks to come as well, while we work to phase back in others, including those held at College of the Canyons.

We continue to work with every family/student individually to determine the right time to return. We have sent surveys to all families and while many feel ready to return, others do not. We are conveying our new procedures for interactions with students, social distancing, masks and personal protective equipment, cleaning and sanitizing, facility use and so much more. In time we look forward to having all students back on the ranch as well as our amazing volunteers. But for now…it is truly just one step at a time.

A huge thank you to our staff for being amazing and working incredibly hard behind the scenes to make sure that we are safe, sanitized and of course that our horses are well cared for.

In the meantime - stay safe, be well and know that we can’t wait to see you all back at the Ranch!