Are people riding?

[Upthecreek]

I guess its difficult to work out what the issue or risk truly is, specifically: the journey, the time out of doors, the act of sitting on a sensible horse or what, because all of those seem to be justified ,manageable, or negligible and different people raise different issues with their own interpretation of the existing rules ??‍

We are currently trying to calculate risk in a totally alien environment where things need to be considered that we’ve never had to consider before. Risk is calculated on likely outcomes of actions and potential consequences to 1 person, 100 people, 1 million people, total population. That is not how most people calculate the risks of their own personal actions in everyday life. Unfortunately the world has changed in the last 7 days.

 

[milliepops]

I have to fill in risk matrices as a small bit of my job so I have a vague grasp of what you're saying. The world has gone upside down. I get that too. I just find the assessment that one activity that is not without risk (e.g. cycling on the road) is a-ok and another is not, I dont think its black and white like that. And threads on social media throwing in "facts" like only one hour outside are just muddling the debate

You've clearly got your views; I and others disagree, its interesting to discuss on an objective level

 

[ester]

They definitely aren't taking into account the number and depth of potholes at the moment in the cycling assessment.

 

[milliepops]

They definitely aren't taking into account the number and depth of potholes at the moment in the cycling assessment.

They're only going to get worse ?

 

[shortstuff99]

A good article about riding risk https://groomwithabroom.wordpress.com/2020/03/28/to-ride-or-not-to-ridethat-is-the-question/

 

[SatansLittleHelper]

I don't have an opinion on whether others should be riding or not in the current situation but I do think it's worth pointing (playing devils advocate a little) that cycling could be considered less risky as generally bikes don't have a mind of their own..?? Yes, there are associated risks with traffic etc but a bike will do what you tell it to do.

 

[Caol Ila]

Really appreciated the article, shortstuff. Puts risk into perspective.

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

They're only going to get worse ?

Potholes have been being filled in round here on Thurs and Fri as such light traffic they could use stop go boards instead of holding up with T lights and causing major disruption.

 

[Wheels]

A good article about riding risk https://groomwithabroom.wordpress.com/2020/03/28/to-ride-or-not-to-ridethat-is-the-question/

Great artcle

 

[BBP]

BBP was pretty sure he could see the Coronavirus lurking at the far end of the arena yesterday and decided there was no way in hell he was going anywhere near it. He decided a social distance of about 34 meters was appropriate and wouldn’t go past the first 6m of the arena. I was only wanting to loose school not ride, but dynamic risk assessment said even that wasn’t worth it. I’m taking life one day at a time and thanking my lucky stars I get to see the little weirdo every day as it’s my own land with no liveries. Big socially distanced awkward hugs to anyone unable to see their horse or even leave the house at all.

 

[PapaverFollis]

Personally dont think "other people are cycling" is a valid argument here. It's irrelevant. The focus needs to be in minimising your own risks. Not on using other people not minimising theirs as an excuse! No matter what the "rules" are.

Whereas "I've no option to turn away and my horse turns into an asshat when stabled too much and/or is more dangerous to do groundwork with and I think it is safer for me to keep riding" is fair.

I'm not sure on the stats but suspect horse riding is much more dangerous than cycling anyway. BUT that will include both cross country riding and cycling in bad traffic... but as I say. It's kind of irrelevant.

 

[ihatework]

A good article about riding risk https://groomwithabroom.wordpress.com/2020/03/28/to-ride-or-not-to-ridethat-is-the-question/

It’s a very good article.

I’m not riding but it’s a situation enforced on me (that I don’t mind too much to be honest). If I had my horses at home or I was sole carer at DIY then, provided I had a reasonably sensible/reliable horse I would continue to ride.

As it is the decisions I’m currently taking are mostly financial based. There is no point spending thousands keeping a competition horse ready for no competition. So whilst I can’t see him and he can’t compete (or be sold!!) he may as well sit in the field.

 

[ycbm]

A good article about riding risk https://groomwithabroom.wordpress.com/2020/03/28/to-ride-or-not-to-ridethat-is-the-question/

The problem with this article is that it says

Horse riding is the 9th largest cause of A&E admissions making up 2.8% of sports injuries

And as I'm sure someone above said, that isn't correct. All horse related injuries are recorded as 'horse riding'.

Many injuries take place from horse handling. My own worst injury was. I know someone almost killed by clipping and another just by leading her horse.

It also includes all horse activities, beginners, breaking new horses, falls at BE events.

And if you take out all the stats for those, then hacking close to home or schooling without jumping, for those who have to handle our horses as welfare issue (mine are at home) probably doesn't increase risk of using NHS services, compared to the other things we will do instead, at all.

.

 

[Wheels]

Personally dont think "other people are cycling" is a valid argument here. It's irrelevant. The focus needs to be in minimising your own risks. Not on using other people not minimising theirs as an excuse! No matter what the "rules" are.
.

This is your personal opinion...

Lots of us have those and they all differ. That's why it's just an opinion not fact. If you dont want to ride then dont but also dont expect things of others based on your personal opinion because you will only ever be disappointed

 

[Desert_rider]

My share mare is kept in a privately rented field about 2 miles from my home with 2 other horses. We are on a rota to go up and see to all 3 so that there is only one person up there at each time. We are also being cautious with wearing gloves and hand washing too.

No one is currently riding as however bomb proof a horse is it is still a living creature with a mind of its own and it is just not worth the risk of ending up in a currently over stretched and possibly germ ridden hospital. I am sure cyclists have accidents too, but as previous posters have said a bike is an inanimate object and generally does exactly what it is told!

 

[HashRouge]

I think it boils down to what you consider to be a risk or not. I am quite risk averse, I'm pretty cautious in many aspects of life, I tend towards catastrophising and imagining the worst... the thing I don't consider to be a risk is riding my highly trained horse that I know inside out in a controlled environment doing some dressage training.
Each person will have different experiences and views.

I think this is very true - it is definitely about your own perception of risk. I just don't view hacking/ schooling a sensible horse to be that much of a risk. I can't ride at the moment (for reasons I've explained so won't repeat) but I'm fully envious of those who can and would definitely be riding if it was possible for me to do so!

 

[milliepops]

It's not the bike that's the issue, it's the crazy drivers I think... round here cyclists share space of narrow roads that have 60mph speed limits and are used by all traffic including lots of hgvs. Visibility isn't great and there's lots of impatient drivers. I think they are taking their lives in their hands at the best of times ? main roads here are still quite busy (rural but quite populated) I wouldn't walk along them, yikes.

 

[Bernster]

Please be safe on the roads, or avoid them if you can. I know there’s always a risk riding on the roads and they are clearer now but there’s also an increased risk of drivers going too fast as a result, and not expecting to see riders out. Horrific story on my Facebook this morning of a horse killed by a speeding car last night.

 

[SO1]

I am not riding as I am not going to the yard. In terms of time the one hour exercise a day was mentioned in a interview with Gove who suggested a one hour walk, half an hour run or cycle.

There is also talk of stricter lockdown, & it being extended at least till June if not till Autumn. The timing is lousy as people like to socialise & travel more during summer so as soon as restrictions are lifted people will flock to areas of natural beauty, have BBQ, visit friends & virus could get out of control again so I can see why the government may wish to continue to winter. A whole summer of no riding or very strict restrictions on how long we can leave the house for monitored by army or police such as the situation in other European countries could be very bad for equine welfare for those of us with horses that need weight control to prevent laminitis but can't use exercise or ride them due to restrictions.

My native pony is on box rest at the moment due to a ligament injury but if he was out at grass I would be seriously getting worried about laminitis risk.

 

[mustardsmum]

I am very rural and I am riding. After a 12.5 hour shift in A&E, I allow myself this small luxury. I am careful and am only going out for 30/40 mins, and I'll admit I am often crying as I ride due to the state of some of the patients I have cared for at work, but until the government advise us not to ride, I will do so.

Enjoy your riding while you can; you need it more than any of us and given what you are facing each day, you shouldn’t have to justify it. You people are awesome, and any comfort you can take from your horse should be grabbed with both hands. Stay well and look after yourself.

 

[Winters100]

Personally dont think "other people are cycling" is a valid argument here. It's irrelevant. The focus needs to be in minimising your own risks. Not on using other people not minimising theirs as an excuse! No matter what the "rules" are.

Whereas "I've no option to turn away and my horse turns into an asshat when stabled too much and/or is more dangerous to do groundwork with and I think it is safer for me to keep riding" is fair.

I'm not sure on the stats but suspect horse riding is much more dangerous than cycling anyway. BUT that will include both cross country riding and cycling in bad traffic... but as I say. It's kind of irrelevant.

Agree. Reality is that there are 2 camps here:

1. Trying to minimise all contact and stay at home as much as possible, avoiding anything that might increase risk however small, going outside for only those tasks which are absolutely unavoidable. For some their unavoidable trips outside will include horses, while others can arrange acceptable care from yard staff etc

2. Trying to interpret the regulations to be able to do as they wish as much as possible while staying just inside the regulations. Justifying what they do by comparing to others and finding reasons that they HAVE to do something.

All I can say is that if the vast majority can be in camp 1 then the restrictions will be lifted much sooner than if camp 2 forms the majority. This is not easy for anyone, but we now have to think about our actions in the context of society as a whole. We should also remember that probably the majority of us live in rural locations and have our own outside space, so spare a thought for those living in tiny apartments in the city.

 

[scruffyponies]

Risk is relative:
I am very worried about the number of trips my OH has to take to the supermarket. There are 7 of us at home (all >14), plus 4 dogs. The shop limits purchases, so forces us to go every other day just to get basics. These are journeys we don't want to, and shouldn't need to make. We managed to avoid one yesterday by rationing the remaining milk and eating a pheasant that the dog caught.

I am not worried about hacking out our quiet ponies from our own doorstep on empty bridleways for a bit of exercise.

 

[PapaverFollis]

As I've said repeatedly I'm not judging anyone for riding or "expecting" anything of anyone "based on my personal opinion".

Just think the cycling argument is a complete red herring.

Minimise movement. Minimise risk. If, for some individuals, that involves riding... then that is valid.

But if the only argument for riding is "well Bloggins is still riding his bike so it's not fair that I can't ride my horse" it just comes across as kind of missing the point.

 

[HBB]

I've taken this from the official Covid-19 Govt. guidance. We can leave the house to provide care, where does it say ride or exercise your horse?

Advice if you do not have symptoms of coronavirus
You may leave your house to exercise once a day and you should combine this with leaving your house to provide care for your horse or livestock.
It is essential that you minimise the time spent outside of the home and remain 2 metres away from others. You should remember to wash your hands before and after contact with any animals.

 

[Winters100]

Risk is relative:
I am very worried about the number of trips my OH has to take to the supermarket. There are 7 of us at home (all >14), plus 4 dogs. The shop limits purchases, so forces us to go every other day just to get basics. These are journeys we don't want to, and shouldn't need to make. We managed to avoid one yesterday by rationing the remaining milk and eating a pheasant that the dog caught.

Yes the shopping thing is really difficult, I agree. If it is a small village shop are you able to phone in your order and have them bring it out and put it in the boot of the car? My Mother has poor lungs as a result of polio when she was a girl, so must avoid even colds, and for many years now the local shop has done that for her. Of course now I am making other arrangements, but maybe this is possible for you?

I am strangely lucky in this in that the chap I live with has always insisted that I keep a months worth of essentials in the house in case of emergencies. I previously found it a bit ridiculous, but now I am very glad of it, even if the diet is a bit repetitive, and supplies are going down fast as we are also supplying a few older people in the village. When this is all over I am going to write a book '1000 things to do with tinned tomatoes and tuna'!

Good luck, and I hope that your shop can find some better solution, as when I think about it now it would be much better for them too if they offered this service to everyone and could limit their own contact.

 

[SO1]

I am in camp 1, & I live in a small flat, on my own in an urban area. I am working from home, go out and run or walk every day for an hour, & am not seeing my pony who is on part livery. I don't go to supermarket I am using well stocked local corner shops which are not busy. This is a miserable existence for me not being able to have close contact with living beings. Normally I might spend 3 evenings a week in the flat & spend lots of time with my pony & friends, & work colleagues. I am now on my own in the flat 23 hours a day. The thought that this may go on for another 6 months or longer because not enough people are restricting their movements is depressing. All made more depressing due to the partner of the person in the ground floor flat disregarding the restrictions & still driving down this weekend to spend the weekend visiting her.

If people don't make enough effort those high risk people who on are on the 12 weeks not allowed to leave the house at all, may get this extended to 6 months.

Maybe if you are still riding/visiting & your horse you can think about other ways you can reduce your journeys & time outside the house or encourage others to do the same. The less people/cars seen out the less likely the restrictions will get stricter.

Agree. Reality is that there are 2 camps here:

1. Trying to minimise all contact and stay at home as much as possible, avoiding anything that might increase risk however small, going outside for only those tasks which are absolutely unavoidable. For some their unavoidable trips outside will include horses, while others can arrange acceptable care from yard staff etc

2. Trying to interpret the regulations to be able to do as they wish as much as possible while staying just inside the regulations. Justifying what they do by comparing to others and finding reasons that they HAVE to do something.

All I can say is that if the vast majority can be in camp 1 then the restrictions will be lifted much sooner than if camp 2 forms the majority. This is not easy for anyone, but we now have to think about our actions in the context of society as a whole. We should also remember that probably the majority of us live in rural locations and have our own outside space, so spare a thought for those living in tiny apartments in the city.

 

[Peregrine Falcon]

I work in our local supermarket. My friend had asked me to get a few items for her. I rang as unable to get some but then ended up doing a shop for her once we had closed. It is difficult for people to shop for larger households as we have had to place restrictions on how many items people can buy. Our shop will take months to recover. I appreciate the frustration it causes. Believe me, it is difficult for me too when I want to shop. I only shop when we are closed now and often there isn't stock left for me to purchase.

 

[ester]

I do think from a human behaviour/psychology point of view that those who are still working might not register the difference that much/their other activities seem less risky than their work trips.

 

[Abi90]

I do think from a human behaviour/psychology point of view that those who are still working might not register the difference that much/their other activities seem less risky than their work trips.

I can categorically say that if I was to go and ride my horse then it is 99% less risky than my job currently. I was in an isolation block delivering food to 14 people with mild symptoms 3 times yesterday, no PPE provided.

I’m not going to ride my horse because I’m certain that I’m going to be getting it soon so don’t want to take it to the yard where the YO’s dad Is vulnerable. She is riding my arthritic horse in the arena a few times a week to keep her moving as pottering round the field is not enough so she doesn’t regress again, she is sensible and not that spooky but I’m not going to risk taking the virus to the yard.

 

[milliepops]

Maybe if you are still riding/visiting & your horse you can think about other ways you can reduce your journeys & time outside the house or encourage others to do the same. The less people/cars seen out the less likely the restrictions will get stricter.

Yes I think this is definitely valid.
I'm doing 5 horses in one trip out, that's the only time I leave the house - at some point it will have to change as the broodmare gets closer to foaling I will simply not be able to leave her for 24 hours between visits.
Other than that, one trip to a supermarket once a week to shop for 2 households. This is pretty much my normal life, when not going to shows, normally the only person I see from one day to the next is my OH as I'm fully home based for work anyway