Any yards relaxed their lockdown rules/restrictions yet? Specifically DIY yards.

indie1282 said:
What is your current set up? Do you offer part/full livery? Do you have your own horses on the yard? Can you separate them from the other liveries if so?
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It’s DIY with optional assistance. I first started it up on our family farm purely so I would have company. It’s been going 20 years, and it’s not always been plain sailing, however, I’m quite firm, so I don’t let people take the proverbial, though that said, I absolutely hate confrontation? my horses are in separate stabling, but they graze with the liveries. It’s not too bad at the moment because they’re all living out, so I’m not actually coming into close contact with many people, but I’m conscious that I have to touch all the same surfaces. I’m very good with my hand hygiene though, always have been, so this part has been easy for me during this crisis. I think part of what’s going on at the moment, is how much I’ve come to realise how selfish people can be. I didn’t ask for all this crap to be affecting us at the moment, I hate it just as much as the next person, but equally, nothing is worth risking my life for. All I asked for is that government guidance is adhered to, and if I choose to add my own restrictions, that’s my business. I’m guessing all those replies that have been quite flippant and blasé haven’t had anyone close to them die from this virus? Maybe I’m wrong, but I just think too may still aren’t taking it seriously, we still don’t know enough about it to be able to relax our current strategy imo? like I said, I think I’ve got some decisions to make going forward to mitigate the risks as much as possible in the future ?
 
Just out of interest - what is everyones yards doing in relation to supply of disinfectant etc?

Shops all have disinfecting stations outside them and inside the door, supply of wipes/gloves/masks etc (well they do here in Ireland!)

My yard has supplied disinfectant wipes and is spraying the yard themselves aswell. So as a business, do you think yards have a responsibility for some of the cleaning, same as shops or other businesses?? Just be interesting if yards are protecting themselves especially if its also peoples homes - or are you just relying on everyone to do their own disinfecting? I bring my own wipes aswell, but the yard has plenty of soap, hot water & everything else I could need.
 
chocolategirl said:
It’s DIY with optional assistance. I first started it up on our family farm purely so I would have company. It’s been going 20 years, and it’s not always been plain sailing, however, I’m quite firm, so I don’t let people take the proverbial, though that said, I absolutely hate confrontation? my horses are in separate stabling, but they graze with the liveries. It’s not too bad at the moment because they’re all living out, so I’m not actually coming into close contact with many people, but I’m conscious that I have to touch all the same surfaces. I’m very good with my hand hygiene though, always have been, so this part has been easy for me during this crisis. I think part of what’s going on at the moment, is how much I’ve come to realise how selfish people can be. I didn’t ask for all this crap to be affecting us at the moment, I hate it just as much as the next person, but equally, nothing is worth risking my life for. All I asked for is that government guidance is adhered to, and if I choose to add my own restrictions, that’s my business. I’m guessing all those replies that have been quite flippant and blasé haven’t had anyone close to them die from this virus? Maybe I’m wrong, but I just think too may still aren’t taking it seriously, we still don’t know enough about it to be able to relax our current strategy imo? like I said, I think I’ve got some decisions to make going forward to mitigate the risks as much as possible in the future ?
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I don’t see anyone being flippant. People perceive risk differently and some people are more philosophical about death that doesn’t mean they are wrong.

I follow all hygiene precautions to protect myself and others but I’m not going to live in fear. I’m probably more likely to die horse-riding as that’s a lot harder to control what happens.
 
I’ve heard that smokers do better when they catch it than non smokers.
I would agree it seems the under chronic stress lungs seem to do a bit better.

Maybe it’s the body has adapted to bd able to carry more oxygen in the rbcs the way it does at high altitude?

I only have one functional lung, I caught bacterial pleural pneumonia 1-years ago. I caught COVID at the start of lockdown, the respiratory side was not an issue. I went back to work on the frontline and been there since.

I was offered to be furloughed on medical grounds, prior getting sick I would have been in the incubation phase, and declined it.
 
As its been said several times already, this thing isn't going away anytime soon, so we all have to find a way of living with it. But my husband and I have worked throughout - my husband is front line. He has had no PPE. It is worth you researching just how your local area has been affected by this - in my area we have only had 8 new cases in the last 24 hrs in my entire county and no CV related deaths in 2 days. (population is over 500 000). It's a case of working out the likelihood of you catching this. The survival rate of you do catch it, is very high - 99 to 99.5% chance of survival. So whilst this situation is tragic beyond words, looking at is statistically, the odds of getting through this are pretty good. Ever moreso in rural areas.
I wonder if you are doing your own shopping, getting fuel, animal feeds etc etc? Maybe not at the moment, but will you in time? What about visiting the doc, dentist, hairdresser, gym, pub, restaurants etc etc. Life will resume as some point, albeit with a focus on not spreading CV. Is there anyone you can talk with who may be able to reassure you? There's absolutely no right or wrong in this, but if you are very very worried, and cv has changed your life, then maybe it's time for a change and perhaps close your yard. Tho unless you're very fortunate, you may still have to find emoyment which may mean you're even more exposed than you already are. I guess all the responses on here have given you lots to ponder on and decide where you go from here. Which ever way it is I do wish you well and hope that maybe this has opened up new possibilities for you :)
 
chocolategirl said:
It’s DIY with optional assistance. I first started it up on our family farm purely so I would have company. It’s been going 20 years, and it’s not always been plain sailing, however, I’m quite firm, so I don’t let people take the proverbial, though that said, I absolutely hate confrontation? my horses are in separate stabling, but they graze with the liveries. It’s not too bad at the moment because they’re all living out, so I’m not actually coming into close contact with many people, but I’m conscious that I have to touch all the same surfaces. I’m very good with my hand hygiene though, always have been, so this part has been easy for me during this crisis. I think part of what’s going on at the moment, is how much I’ve come to realise how selfish people can be. I didn’t ask for all this crap to be affecting us at the moment, I hate it just as much as the next person, but equally, nothing is worth risking my life for. All I asked for is that government guidance is adhered to, and if I choose to add my own restrictions, that’s my business. I’m guessing all those replies that have been quite flippant and blasé haven’t had anyone close to them die from this virus? Maybe I’m wrong, but I just think too may still aren’t taking it seriously, we still don’t know enough about it to be able to relax our current strategy imo? like I said, I think I’ve got some decisions to make going forward to mitigate the risks as much as possible in the future ?
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Right. The first thing I would do would be to separate my horses from the liveries in the field. That way only you will be touching the gates etc..

Then I would stop doing any extras if that would make you feel safer. It would help if you said what the liveries are not doing? Because the Government guidelines are basically stay 2 meters apart, wash your hands and now stay alert. You can implicate your own rules as well.

I dont think people are being flippant about people dying but ultimately people do have to get on with their lives at some point.
 
As a yard owner you can set rules to suit you, but if they are not deemed fair by your liveries, then they will move, especially as we are nearly 2 months in. At the end of the day you are running a business, with your home on site. I really think you need to look at ways to minimize your risk, rather than an outright ban. separate your horses, stop offering services, stating a reasonable time every day when only you are on the yard alone, etc. Life is full of risk, minimize it by almeans, but you'll have no business left if you carry on. I'm a sharer and would not be carrying on paying for something I couldn't access if it went on beyond a few weeks, which to me is enough time to make reasonable adjustments. I have not been banned at any point, and the YO parents who live on site are vunerable. We are all being careful of course, but you have to take responsibility for your own health as well. If liveries had to come through your house it would be completely different matter.
 
Sussexbythesea said:
I don’t see anyone being flippant. People perceive risk differently and some people are more philosophical about death that doesn’t mean they are wrong.

I follow all hygiene precautions to protect myself and others but I’m not going to live in fear. I’m probably more likely to die horse-riding as that’s a lot harder to control what happens.
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This, although statistically I'm more likely to die driving to the yard... I'm certainly not going to lose sleep over covid19 - it's only one more risk factor in an already risky world...

If you run a livery, you can set your rules, but if they're not in keeping with what your liveries want, they will move on. It's your call if you want to keep running the yard, or not - nobody is forcing you.
 
LegOn said:
Just out of interest - what is everyones yards doing in relation to supply of disinfectant etc?

Shops all have disinfecting stations outside them and inside the door, supply of wipes/gloves/masks etc (well they do here in Ireland!)

My yard has supplied disinfectant wipes and is spraying the yard themselves aswell. So as a business, do you think yards have a responsibility for some of the cleaning, same as shops or other businesses?? Just be interesting if yards are protecting themselves especially if its also peoples homes - or are you just relying on everyone to do their own disinfecting? I bring my own wipes aswell, but the yard has plenty of soap, hot water & everything else I could need.
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We have nothing provided at our yard. Nothing really has changed except YO takes a wide berth if he's on the yard when there are liveries around. We all keep to our space anyway. I have all my own kit so there's not too much shared stuff, things that I would touch that could probably do with some disinfectant are the gates into the yard and school.
 
milliepops said:
We have nothing provided at our yard. Nothing really has changed except YO takes a wide berth if he's on the yard when there are liveries around. We all keep to our space anyway. I have all my own kit so there's not too much shared stuff, things that I would touch that could probably do with some disinfectant are the gates into the yard and school.
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I have a disinfectant spray by the entrance gate, it gets used by everyone and we all spray on entering, there is a bottle of hand wash by the tap, hands washed on arrival, other than that with just two liveries I am doing nothing else other than distancing, I would not expect the girls to bring their own, it is so easy to provide it and insist on them using it, they are not then having to touch anything other than their own things as I am feeding theirs each day and one gets brought in/ turned out by me daily.
Hand washing on arrival should stop them bringing it in from outside, if they have it and are asymptomatic it will potentially get spread but that is a risk that is unavoidable unless I stopped going anywhere until the virus has gone.
 
be positive said:
I have a disinfectant spray by the entrance gate, it gets used by everyone and we all spray on entering, there is a bottle of hand wash by the tap, hands washed on arrival, other than that with just two liveries I am doing nothing else other than distancing, I would not expect the girls to bring their own, it is so easy to provide it and insist on them using it, they are not then having to touch anything other than their own things as I am feeding theirs each day and one gets brought in/ turned out by me daily.
Hand washing on arrival should stop them bringing it in from outside, if they have it and are asymptomatic it will potentially get spread but that is a risk that is unavoidable unless I stopped going anywhere until the virus has gone.
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I'm a bit surprised tbh as he has made a point of telling us he hasn't been anywhere except home and yard since lockdown began, he sends his wife out to do shopping and is determined not to get the virus... I have my own sanitiser etc obviously so it's not an issue for me but it seems a bit out of step to have nothing at all provided ;)
 
chocolategirl said:
As the title really. Have you made any changes since the last government announcement regarding restrictions? The only thing I’ve changed is that trainers are now allowed on, provided they don’t enter any of the buildings, and don’t touch anything while they’re here. I’ve had requests from some of my clients about their loaners/sharers being allowed back on the yard, but I’ve said not at the moment. I’m asthmatic, so I have an increased mortality risk if I get covid which is why I’ve denied this request. My problem is, despite sending several messages to my clients, they’re being ignored by one or two, and I’m left wondering how much more clearer I can make things??!! I hate confrontation, but I can feel myself getting increasingly cross with them. It shows a distinct lack of respect for the fact that this isn’t just a livery yard, it’s my home too! ?‍♀️?‍♀️ Am I being unreasonable in wanting to reduce my risk as much as possible? ?
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I totally understand your worries about this, and of course it is necessary for everyone to limit contact to try to reduce the spread of this, but I do see a problem with these rules longer term. Some liveries may be having financial worries and not being able to allow their loaners / shareres on the yard might impact their ability to pay.

Could you maybe look at changing your business? Explain to your liveries that you will need to be careful until this is over, which is potentially years, and allow them time to look for somewhere else. You could then maybe consider offering some other form of livery, for example for retired horses whose owners are happy to have them cared for by you and to just drop by once in a while? If you are able to offer this at a discounted price people may be happy to accept whatever rules you see as necessary - for example you could limit visits to only the owner, and perhaps only at pre-arranged times. It won't suit all, but if you are up front and reflect it in the pricing then it should not cause difficulties.
 
Muddywellies said:
I'm asthmatic too. Might be worth a quick chat with your doctor. I had a consultation with the asthma nurse and it was very interesting what I was told about asthma and covid 19. Might ease your worry a bit.

I'm on a DIY yard and we had no rules other than the standard government guidelines.
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I am also asthmatic and also had a consultation with the nurse at the start of it to see if I should be isolating as have 4 clients and wondered if I would be getting a letter saying I was high risk.She said that as my asthma is treated easily and under control that I should be careful but to carry on.I was not considered to be in the high risk category.If my husband can do shopping etc great but if not I should be fine.I had something in January and had the bad cough,temp etc and they don’t know if I had it then.Probably won’t know!.
My clients are very good and sanitise and disinfect where they have touched.I changed from last weekend that they had set time slots so only one here at a time,to 2 here at a time but keep distance etc.I keep my tools separate and we disinfect every night all Boots,taps,headcollars etc.
 
Winters100 said:
I totally understand your worries about this, and of course it is necessary for everyone to limit contact to try to reduce the spread of this, but I do see a problem with these rules longer term. Some liveries may be having financial worries and not being able to allow their loaners / shareres on the yard might impact their ability to pay.

Could you maybe look at changing your business? Explain to your liveries that you will need to be careful until this is over, which is potentially years, and allow them time to look for somewhere else. You could then maybe consider offering some other form of livery, for example for retired horses whose owners are happy to have them cared for by you and to just drop by once in a while? If you are able to offer this at a discounted price people may be happy to accept whatever rules you see as necessary - for example you could limit visits to only the owner, and perhaps only at pre-arranged times. It won't suit all, but if you are up front and reflect it in the pricing then it should not cause difficulties.
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I wasn’t intending it to be long term measures tbh, but I’ve been shocked despite repeated pleas, how some have completely ignored my requests, it’s like they think it doesn’t apply to them? My livery is very affordable, believe me, and I’ve even given a payment holiday to those in financial difficulty, but this isn’t our only business, it’s more of a hobby one. It’s left me, and not for the first time, weather it’s worth carrying on. This is the first time though that’s it’s literally been a life or death issue! Yes that sounds dramatic to some, but as an asthmatic, lifelong, and knowing exactly how it feels to be fighting for breath, my anxiety levels have been high during this pandemic. I know me, and it’ll make no difference speaking to a MHP, it’s a mental problem only I can overcome, or not ?
 
chocolategirl said:
I wasn’t intending it to be long term measures tbh, but I’ve been shocked despite repeated pleas, how some have completely ignored my requests, it’s like they think it doesn’t apply to them?
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Give the piss takers a final warning and kick them off the yard if they don’t shape up.
 
chocolategirl said:
I wasn’t intending it to be long term measures tbh, but I’ve been shocked despite repeated pleas, how some have completely ignored my requests, it’s like they think it doesn’t apply to them? My livery is very affordable, believe me, and I’ve even given a payment holiday to those in financial difficulty, but this isn’t our only business, it’s more of a hobby one. It’s left me, and not for the first time, weather it’s worth carrying on. This is the first time though that’s it’s literally been a life or death issue! Yes that sounds dramatic to some, but as an asthmatic, lifelong, and knowing exactly how it feels to be fighting for breath, my anxiety levels have been high during this pandemic. I know me, and it’ll make no difference speaking to a MHP, it’s a mental problem only I can overcome, or not ?
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It would help us to give you some feedback if you tell us what requests you have implemented and why you feel they have/are ignoring them? You may feel that your requests are valid but it may be too much for others to adhere to.

For example : Are you limiting the time spent at the yard?

Are they not social distancing or washing their hands?

I am on a small yard with 3 other liveries in my block. The stables are in an open fronted barn and we all have our own area for storage, tools etc.. we do not use each others equipment or need to go past each others stables. My 2 are turned out together but the main gate in to the field is used by 2 other liveries. I usually pop my yard gloves on to go up to the fields or if I forget I wash my hands as soon as I get back to the yard before doing anything else.

Luckily our YO has pretty much let is carry on as normal throughout lockdown as we are all sensible and are not usually st the yard all at the same time.

I am Type 1 Diabetic so I understand how it feels to be on extra alert with this virus.

Ultimately though if the livery yard is only a hobby I would personally give your liveries notice if it is worrying you that much. You can always reopen at a later date if you want to.
 
chocolategirl said:
I wasn’t intending it to be long term measures tbh, but I’ve been shocked despite repeated pleas, how some have completely ignored my requests, it’s like they think it doesn’t apply to them? My livery is very affordable, believe me, and I’ve even given a payment holiday to those in financial difficulty, but this isn’t our only business, it’s more of a hobby one. It’s left me, and not for the first time, weather it’s worth carrying on. This is the first time though that’s it’s literally been a life or death issue! Yes that sounds dramatic to some, but as an asthmatic, lifelong, and knowing exactly how it feels to be fighting for breath, my anxiety levels have been high during this pandemic. I know me, and it’ll make no difference speaking to a MHP, it’s a mental problem only I can overcome, or not ?
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I feel for you. This sounds like it might be becoming a phobia for you.

I have severe Emetaphobia (phobia of vomiting), which means I spend most of the winter being terrified of getting Norovirus, so I completely get where you are coming from.

It doesn't matter how many people tell you that your risk of serious illness is low, because it does nothing to make the fear go away.

IIRC you started a thread at the beginning of lockdown about your liveries and it did sound like they were taking the mick and completely disregarded the measures you tried to put in place. So I can understand why you might be reluctant to ease restrictions when they have been shown to be incapable of following instructions. Are you worried that if you give an inch they'll take a mile?

I think ultimately you might need to offer a compromise in some areas in return for strict adherence to the remaining rules.

And maybe sit down and work out what changes you can make yourself feel safe, while still making the business viable.

Hope you find a solution.
 
chocolategirl said:
I wasn’t intending it to be long term measures tbh, but I’ve been shocked despite repeated pleas, how some have completely ignored my requests, it’s like they think it doesn’t apply to them? My livery is very affordable, believe me, and I’ve even given a payment holiday to those in financial difficulty, but this isn’t our only business, it’s more of a hobby one. It’s left me, and not for the first time, weather it’s worth carrying on. This is the first time though that’s it’s literally been a life or death issue! Yes that sounds dramatic to some, but as an asthmatic, lifelong, and knowing exactly how it feels to be fighting for breath, my anxiety levels have been high during this pandemic. I know me, and it’ll make no difference speaking to a MHP, it’s a mental problem only I can overcome, or not ?
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Actually I don't really see this as a mental health issue, in the sense that I think you are justified in being afraid of this virus. My Mother is in the same position, severe asthma, which is complicated by the fact that she had polio in her early 20s so her intercostal muscles are badly damaged on one side. I have no doubt that this virus would kill her. It would be sad for you to give up this part of your business, but I totally understand it, because unfortunately there are people who think that the rules do not apply to them. Also the late lockdown has resulted in the virus being widespread, so there is a genuine risk.

I can only say that in your position you need to be completely clear with your liveries. Since the virus is not going away in the foreseeable future they will need to either accept your terms or find somewhere that suits them better. I can understand that they may feel that their sharers should be allowed, and they are entitled to their opinion, but it does not excuse disregarding the rules. So best solution would be to make a plan, be open with your customers about how the plan looks, and they can then choose whether it suits them or not.

Good luck with everything and I hope that you find a way to work this out that keeps you and your liveries safe and happy.
 
My yard is completely DIY so we've been left to it.
My share horse yard has given everyone allocated time slots, up to an hour and a half 5 times a week, unless the horse has medical requirements which would require you there longer or more frequently.
It's 1 person per horse and that can be the owner or the sharer. Hands to be washed upon arrival and social distancing maintained, with a maximum of 4 owners on the yard at once.
They went on full lockdown initially and only DIYs could come in, again on a timetable basis and with so many at a time only.
I hope you are able to find a happy medium but I think you may have posted about disrespectful liveries in the past. Given the circumstances I'd be inclined to give those ones their notice.
 
My yard didn't really introduce anything too heavy in terms of restrictions, but we are still doing social distancing and not doing anything too unnecessarily risky.
 
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