Horses during lockdown

[Noideawottodo]

We have two horses, kept at home. Last lockdown was fine as dd was at home and the weather was great so they got plenty of exercise. This time dd is not around so I'm considering just turning them away for a month, bringing them in at night. Can't see what choice I have really. One of them events so I've considered a month away at a livery being exercised but can't really afford it.

What are you doing with yours?

My horse is on full livery. Last lockdown we were banned from the yard. The horses were out during the day and in at night.

We have just switched over to the winter routine which is turnout on hard standing for an hour or so and some time on the walker.
I really really hope the yard doesn’t ban us. It is not good for the horses mental and physical well-being to ban us, they will need to be exercised while not being turned out all day.

The gvmt rules for businesses state Stables and Riding Centres must close....does that imply not just commercial centres doing lessons, but all livery yards have to close?? How the heck will that work if you're on DIY livery?

That sounds really miserable Polkadotties. When will you know?

@Noideawottodo. Your horses are at home, so how is lockdown affecting you/them?

@Polkadotties
@WatchOutTheSkyIsFalling

I'd be very surprised if a livery has to close as long as they can prove their Covid safe. Hand sanitiser, no sharing equipment & scheduled visits I imagine.

Our pony is on full livery so no change for me as I only go up a couple of times a month anyway , she’s retired and very well cared for by the yard owner . @Polkadotties that sounds like a miserable existence for the horses in the winter at your yard , we have all year daily turnout . It would appear that where I ride will probably close again although I don’t see why private lessons can’t go ahead as the rules state you can meet one person from another household outside .

Liveries don’t have to close, some full liberty yards may choose to close but they don’t have to.

@Noideawottodo if you have people coming to ride atm then I imagine that can continue as they haven’t banned people driving to exercise and I would class this as a welfare issue for the horses. Not good welfare to go from competition fit to turned away overnight.

I am also wondering whether one to one lessons can continue on your own horse. Guess BHS will issue guidance once parliament have voted.

@Noideawottodo. Your horses are at home, so how is lockdown affecting you/them?

Looking after them is fine, its just exercising them. We normally go out and about with them three or four times a week (one is terrible in traffic so hacking impossible)

I am also wondering whether one to one lessons can continue on your own horse. Guess BHS will issue guidance once parliament have voted

My instructor is checking her insurance next week.

Care of horses is essential. If you are the normal main career for your horse then things should continue as normal on a DIY yard subject to Covid restrictions, time spent at yard, number of people there at any one time etc.
You are also allowed to meet up with one other person from another household for exercise. My horse is rubbish on the road on his own, I still intend to ride out with one other person and think it is still within the regulations.
Just don’t go bombing around the countryside and putting yourself at risk of injury.

We have 3 at home. DS(10) loves putting on his head torch and riding through the forest in the dark after school, so there will be a bit of that. The ladies who come to muck out and ride while I am away at work will carry on doing so - it’s no different imo from having a groom come in to do them, and we’ll do the same as last time - only have one family bubble in the yard at any one time.

Our local venue who hire arenas, show jumps and cross country field have cancelled events but hope they can still hire out to individuals and family bubbles. They have said they will have to await the finalised rules though.

Was speaking to my yard manager this afternoon. She is waiting for official guidance from the BHS before she makes her decision.
It’s not a miserable existence at my yard, it’s a brilliant yard. My horse is much happier where he now is compared to where he was previously. He gets to go out every day and have a charge around, it’s just not on wet boggy Essex clay.

My share horse is at a livery only hard, it’s quite small and the manager said today she will carry on as normal, it’s very easy to socially distance and so I don’t see the risk (except for bombing about which I don’t do anyway)

I've only recently started riding and have a private lesson booked for Wednesday. I really hope I am able to continue. As you say, if its 1:1, thats 2 adults (or 1 adult and 1 child) and 2 horses. The stables restarted lessons in about June but only private lessons at the beginning, which I took DC to, before deciding to learn myself.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news @Taswama but riding schools have to close

Why do riding schools have to close? Surely riding is a very socially distanced/outdoor sport?

I've heard that tennis, swimming and golf are being considered as exempt - so why not horseriding.

www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/nov/01/golf-tennis-and-swimming-reprieves-from-covid-ban-government-boris-johnson

Thanks @Polkadotties . Yes it was that article that gave me some hope @Dustballs . Just hope its only 4 weeks.

Ours has closed - just as the horses have had their first clip :(

[quote Dustballs]Why do riding schools have to close? Surely riding is a very socially distanced/outdoor sport?

I've heard that tennis, swimming and golf are being considered as exempt - so why not horseriding.

www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/nov/01/golf-tennis-and-swimming-reprieves-from-covid-ban-government-boris-johnson[/quote]
I agree! Its almost physically impossible NOT to be socially distanced on a horse!

Although I don't think horse riding is banned, just all the venues are shut

Thank you for explaining.

It's very sad.

Our livery yard is remaining open, but riding lessons are cancelled.

This is an extract from an email sent to all pony club members by the CEO

“ There is currently no Government guidance that we are aware of to stop riding, it is down to an individual decision if this is necessary, please consider the needs and welfare of your horse or pony. It is sensible to avoid activities with an increased risk of injury and be mindful of other people if you must hack out. Unnecessary travel is to be avoided, including lessons or training and transporting your horse for anything other than emergency care.”

So does look like lessons and trips out to facilities are off the cards.

Unnecessary travel is to be avoided, including lessons or training and transporting your horse for anything other than emergency care

They've literally made that up

I imagine they have had conversations with officials, it will be interesting to see what the BHS say.

The guidelines say you can leave the house for exercise and a short drive is fine. So why can't you drive a short distance for a lesson with your horse?