Open T.R.A.I.L. Ranch COVID-19 Operating Procedures
Open T.R.A.I.L. Ranch seeks to maintain the health and safety of all those who visit the property. In order to support programming amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic, OTR has implemented policies and procedures as outlined below to protect our participants, staff, volunteers, and family. OTR is following state and local guidelines, CDC and PATH, Intl. guidelines, as well as recommendations by local public and health officials.
To ensure the safety of all visitors to the barn, OTR has implemented the following safeguards and protocols to reduce the spread of COVID-19 at our facility:
General Precautions and Best Practices:
● Do not come to the barn if you think you may have been exposed to someone who has tested positive, have been exposed to someone who has symptoms of COVID-19, or are experiencing any of the symptoms listed below in the “Daily Health Screening” section.
● Maintain at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and others.
● Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
● Frequently use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
● Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, and wash after touching your face.
● Cover all coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow. Wash hands after.
● Wear a mask.
● Avoid contact with those who are sick.
● Regularly disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects.
● Travel continues to not be recommended if it can be helped, however if traveling, especially by plane, the CDC recommends strict masking protocols, including double masking.
OTR Daily Health Screening: All staff, volunteers, parents/caregivers of participants (including other individuals in the vehicle), participants, and visitors will have their temperature checked upon arrival. Temperature must not be over 99.5 degrees. If so, they will not be permitted to stay at the facility.
All will also be asked if they have the following symptoms:
● Headache
● Sore Throat
● Fever
● Cough
● Shortness of Breath
● Body Aches
● Ear Aches
● Diarrhea
● Fatigue
● Vomiting
● Abdominal Pain
● Recent Inability to Smell or Taste
● Has been exposed to someone with a confirmed COVID-19 case in the past 2 weeks
If “yes” to any of these questions, individuals will not be able to participate that day.
Daily Precautions:
● All participants and their families will need to stay in their vehicle until daily health screening has been completed by an OTR staff member or designated person.
● All volunteers will be allowed to self check in once they have been cleared and trained by a staff member.
● All individuals will be asked to wash hands and/or use hand sanitizer upon arrival to the facility.
● Hand soap and hand sanitizer will be available at all times.
● All individuals will be required to wear a mask at all times when on the property, no neck gators or loose fitting face coverings are allowed.
● Volunteers and participants will wear clean cloth gloves provided by OTR when on site.
● Staff will wear clean disposable gloves when working with individuals in lessons.
● Restrooms will be available, but will need to be cleaned after each use with cleaning wipes by the person who used it and the door left open behind them.
● Social distancing of 6 feet or more will be encouraged and maintained at all opportunities.
● Pens will be labeled “clean” or “dirty.” Volunteers will use a clean pen and place it in the dirty pen holder when finished. Pens will be cleaned daily by staff.
● Volunteers and participants are asked to only come at their designated time and leave promptly after their time slot to limit possible exposure.
● Outside food and drink are not permitted in the barn. Water will be provided on site.
Lesson Protocols:
● Participants will be limited to 2-3 for group lessons and private lessons as deemed necessary.
● Participants who are able to phase back in and return for services will be at the discretion of the Executive Director and Lead Instructor as determined by OTR’s ability to serve the individual safely and with an appropriate amount of support.
● Instructors will wear 2 masks and clean gloves when working with participants and regularly sanitize hands.
● All tack, equipment, and helmets will be regularly sanitized.
● Any equipment contaminated by body fluids will be immediately sanitized at the end of the session.
● Social distancing will be maintained as appropriate to ensure safety of participants in sessions.
● Volunteers may be required to double mask while in session with a medically fragile participant. If this is the case we will let you know in advance. OTR will provide an additional surgical mask in these instances.
Confirmed Case of COVID-19 on the OTR Property:
● If any person tests positive for COVID-19 and has been on site within the past 14 days or has interacted with someone within 14 days of testing positive, then that individual must inform OTR as soon as possible. OTR will determine next steps based on current CDC guidelines.
● Any person who is found to have interacted with a confirmed COVID-19 positive person while at OTR will be notified by OTR staff while adhering to HIPPA Privacy guidelines.
● Should there be a confirmed positive COVID-19 exposure at OTR, the facility will be cleaned and disinfected before reopening.
● Individuals who test positive will be able to return to the facility 10 days after the positive COVID-19 test if all symptoms have resolved, including no fever for 48 hours.
● Individuals who have a documented exposure to a positive COVID-19 case will be allowed to return to the facility 14 days after exposure if no symptoms present.





The safety, health, and well-being of our clients, their families, our staff and volunteers is of utmost importance. The above rules, procedures and protocols reflect our commitment and dedication to the safety of our community.
Thank you for helping us to safely continue to provide our vital services and carry out our mission!
For more information on COVID-19 please visit CDC.gov/coronavirus