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?

BHS have finally come out with their advice and it is good, can travel for lessons and venue hire and can even hack out with up to five people from different households!

www.bhs.org.uk/advice-and-information/coronavirus-covid-19/for-horse-owners

Sorry didn’t read it properly, they haven’t updated it yet.

I was going to say, that would completely go against lockdown!

Personally OP I’d just turn your horses away. The event season is over, your daughter is away. There’s no need to go to the trouble of organising exercise. Leave shoes on, by all means, but rough them off.

Updated guidance from the BHS www.bhs.org.uk/advice-and-information/coronavirus-covid-19/for-horse-owners
I believe this means livery yards do not have to lockdown

Does that mean I can transport my horse to a private facility hire?

I’m not sure. I think the travel for exercise relates to someone travelling from their house to the yard. Rather than boxing up from the yard to travel to the beach for example.

Could be interpreted both ways I guess

One of places I use to school at has just said its staying open and taking bookings...

It annoys me so much that I can’t go to work and earn a full wage but I can take my horse out to a farm ride. Bloody waste of time and money this lockdown, it’s not going to save anyone or help the NHS!

It annoys me that riding schools cannot give private lessons but an eyelash place near us is apparently allowed to take clients as long as they are dealt with by trainees as that’s classed as ongoing education or something . Also since when were garden centres essential shops ?

Riding schools can stay open if they are providing training such as the BHS stages. They cannot provide lessons for ‘leisure riders’ for want of a better term.

@Polkadotties I doubt that is of much consolation to most small riding schools as that is a minimal amount of their business , infact they are probably better off furloughing as many as possible and closing .

Also since when were garden centres essential shops yes that is mad, although i do love my garden

According to the latest advice from the BHS and Sport England, riding schools can now stay open for 1:1 lessons ...

scroll about halfway down the page

@Pleasedontdothat yes I’ve just seen that update , hurray !

I’m not sure riding schools can furlough many staff as lots of them don’t have much winter turnout so need lots of staff at feed/muck out time.

I don’t know how they’ve managed to reach the conclusion about 1-2-1 lessons unless other sports lessons like tennis or golf could also continue 1-2-1, using the “formal” wording in the legislation. It’s really too late for a lot of riding schools and some are now worried that means they can’t claim any support. Not helpful at all to be so unclear and I wouldn’t be surprised if they have to change that advise (although I’m always happy to ride if I can)

Yes my riding school is now taking bookings too for private or family bubbles.

@TheFnozwhowasmirage it doesn’t say anywhere that you can only leave your house for a test.

Unfortunately it now appears that whether a stables can do private lessons is down to individual councils so the stables I go to is still closed and others in the same county are open - very annoying .

@Loshad the child in question is self-isolating because a child on her school bus has tested positive. In that case no, she cannot leave home (except for a test). See guidelines on self isolation www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-and-treatment/when-to-self-isolate-and-what-to-do/

I believe the rules have now changed about arena hire. My local venue initially said they could still do hire in their outdoor have nOw said they are closing.

ah, missed/ forgot that point @MilerVino, was just thinking about lockdown rules, however I do still think she could legally see her own pony on her own land.
And yes Polkadotties, the rules have changed and there is to be no hires of arenas etc.