Back in the Saddle Equine Therapy Center

Back in the Saddle Equine Therapy Center
(aka BITS ETC)

334 College Hill Road, Hopkinton, New Hampshire 03229 603-746-5681

May 22, 2020
Hello to all BITS Clients,
We hope you are well, having weathered this pandemic as best as can be expected. The horses are chomping at the bit for your return, and we can’t wait to see you all again. I am so happy to announce the three phased re-opening of our campus with Phase 1 to begin on June 1, 2020:

Phase 1: For INDEPENDENT clients requiring no Leader, Side walker, or help mounting or dismounting.
Phase 2: For clients requiring light support, such as a Horse Leader.
Phase 3: For clients requiring full support, with parent or family member trained as a Side Walker.

To protect our returning clients, volunteers, and staff we have instituted changes in the way we do business to follow State and Federal guidelines as well as P.A.T.H. International suggestions for best practices in Equine Facilities. Everyone upon entering the campus will be required to wash their hands and wear masks. We cannot safely disinfect helmets, so require each rider to supply their own ASTMI approved riding helmet. Your instructor will reach out individually to each rider to discuss the phase and timing for your return, and to help you in purchasing the helmet, to ensure a proper fit. All lessons and volunteer times are scheduled so that no more than ten people are on campus at any given time. Please arrive promptly, but no earlier than fifteen minutes before your scheduled time. We ask that only the minimum number of people necessary to support the participant come for the lesson. If this is not possible, all others MUST remain in the car. No “drop-ins” or spectators allowed. The number of lessons we can provide each day is significantly reduced (fewer than fifty percent of pre-Covid -19 levels) due to time scheduled between lessons for cleaning of the facility and tack. Because of this and the increased cost of Covid -19 restrictions, we must levy a $5.00 per lesson “Covid -19 Safety fee.” Should this present a hardship, please talk to us about your options. A client survey has been mailed to all current riders. Please send it back to us in the stamped, self-addressed envelope included, so we may contact those interested in returning for lessons. We will schedule phase one lessons starting June 1, with participants needing more support coming as Volunteers are trained to provide that in a safe and effective manner. I hope to see you all “back in the saddle!"
Stay Safe, See you soon!
Pauline Meridien, Director, BITS ETC

Back in the Saddle Equine Therapy Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit association located in central New Hampshire. BITS ETC is dedicated to providing quality time with a horse for people from 2 to 92.

Certified instructors and therapists provide safe and effective treatment for people living with disabilities. Therapeutic riding can improve physical strength and balance. Lessons are provided all year round.

Learning to lead.

We depend on individual and corporate donations in order to keep our programs going. Please consider making a donation today so those with special needs can continue their progress.