Are people riding?

[Upthecreek]

Well yes, you are wrong. One form of exercise, which was unspecified, and thus can include riding a horse. Animal care where you're the sole / primary carer is also considered essential.

Personally, I'm substituting a ride for a run/walk/cycle, because I'd be more at risk (of accident, or of disease transmission) cycling from home than riding from my field.

This is the problem. I am not wrong. People are interpreting what has been said in so many different ways. Of course animal care for sole/primary carers is considered essential. Riding a horse can count as exercise and if you can do it close to home without putting yourself or anyone else at risk great. For those lucky enough to keep their horses at home on private land the risk is smaller (unless you fall off and require the services of the NHS). But it is impossible to make rules to fit every given situation or circumstance and you most definitely cannot rely on people to use their common sense and good judgement (look at people travelling on the tube today). The only way to stop this virus spreading is to stop it moving and this will only happen if people stop moving. If people don't stay at home further measures will be imposed. We all love our horses and our riding, but the sad fact is many people are dying so it seems wrong to be moaning about having to curtail our leisure activities for a while.

 

[JFTDWS]

This is the problem. I am not wrong. People are interpreting what has been said in so many different ways.

Well you are wrong. The advice doesn't state walk / run / cycle, it states for example, walk / run / cycle. Therefore it includes other forms of exercise than those stated here. That categorically does include riding, although it would not include any contact sports (for example, horseball) which have been previously banned for the duration of this outbreak.

There is also no mention, in the official guidelines about "close to home". Some other countries have introduced limits of travel, but the UK has not at this point. The limit is on non-essential travel.

Those who are riding either have horses at home, or have to travel to them anyway to provide basic care. Choosing to ride as their form of exercise having already traveled doesn't incur any inessential travel. If people were making extra trips to ride horses for whose care they aren't responsible, they would be in breach of that, but I'm pretty sure nobody is doing that.

The actual government advice in full:

https://assets.publishing.service.g...e_on_staying_at_home_and_away_from_others.pdf

Boris' address in full:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-52011928

 

[pinkypug1]

Im not riding and my horses are being turned out for a lazy few weeks/months. I am a frontline worker and my sister and brother in law are hospital consultants, perhaps it is because I see and hear 1st hand how much pressure the NHS are under trying to cope with this virus, i couldn’t forgive myself if i ended up taking up vital NHS resources due to a riding accident. We all need to work together to get through this.

 

[Sussexbythesea]

This is the problem. I am not wrong. People are interpreting what has been said in so many different ways. Of course animal care for sole/primary carers is considered essential. Riding a horse can count as exercise and if you can do it close to home without putting yourself or anyone else at risk great. For those lucky enough to keep their horses at home on private land the risk is smaller (unless you fall off and require the services of the NHS). But it is impossible to make rules to fit every given situation or circumstance and you most definitely cannot rely on people to use their common sense and good judgement (look at people travelling on the tube today). The only way to stop this virus spreading is to stop it moving and this will only happen if people stop moving. If people don't stay at home further measures will be imposed. We all love our horses and our riding, but the sad fact is many people are dying so it seems wrong to be moaning about having to curtail our leisure activities for a while.

I get what you’re saying but going to see your horse on a farm well spaced out from other liveries and doing some low key riding in a quiet unpopulated area has got to be one of the least riskiest things to do regarding spread of the virus. The government are not going to specify every single possible exercise one could do particularly horse riding as it’s a minority pastime. They didn’t even mention dog walking as far as I recall. I live alone and I’m working from home and only intend to go to the supermarket once a week and local shop once to top up if needed in between provided I can get what I need. I have all my own equipment and share nothing as do other liveries.

As to accidents - well statistically the majority happen in the home and seeing as more people will be at home doing DIY and gardening that’s likely to rise.

However I’m keeping an eye on the situation and the latest rise in cases in this county are making me uneasy. I may change my mind in the next few days.

 

[Michen]

I am going to ride my young horse in the school and long rein out hacking. May change my mind on the former.

 

[Louby]

We have decided not to ride, we dont have any facilities but are lucky to have a decent field for turnout, so thats whats happening. We are leaving them out later than usual, still coming in at night as shavings are at a premium atm!! Suppliers are now not supplying or are limiting people so we are trying to be sensible with what we have. Plus it would be sods law one of us would come off and put added pressure on our already over stretched NHS.

 

[emilylou]

I work for the NHS and will be riding. I live on a farm and my horses are outside my door. I have two very safe horses and access to miles of offroad hacking away from people. I will not however be riding any other horses or breaking the new pony as I planned to this summer, or challenging my own riding ability, or allowing friends to ride. I will ride my safe horses on my own, away from others, operating well within my own skill level and capabilites.
Many more accidents happen with horses due to change of routine or lack of stimulation. My one horse starts jumping fields if he is out of work as gets bored despite being turned out in a herd, his risk of injury provides far more complications than a simple ride.
I used to work-ride full time, luckily I have had no severe injuries, however I have had many more minor injuries handling horses on the ground than I have under saddle.
I also think that riding for me, is going to be a great stress reliever. Stress being something that quickly drains your immune system I think that is important.
I fully understand the risks I am taking, but I think that the level of risk is acceptable and dare I say it.. sensible. Certainly less risky than going into work every day. My husband and I are socially distancing at home and sleeping in separate beds. I'm keeping everything normal with the animals to keep them calm and sane and am staying away from everyone else.
Obviously we cant assume that everyone will act responsibly but I think in regard to riding, whether or not it is a good idea is definately a case by case scenario.

 

[doodle]

Like I say it is not the spread of the virus that is making me worry. I agree if going to yard anyway and riding alone in a field is not increasing the risk. What I am stopping for is the risk I am putting myself in. The last time I came off him was in walk on a quiet country lane. The worst injury I have had is from the “safest” horse I have had, she tripped.

i guess I have seen the stress the NHS are under, both in terms of being discharged early and seeing the nurses in the ward (in the office and supposedly hidden) crying at having to discharge patients that I worry at adding to that.

 

[Fifty Bales of Hay]

One of the questions that has come up since the lockdown is:

Q. Can I play Golf or do any other outdoor sports?
A. No, Golf and other team games are banned. The only exercise you should do is running, cycling or walking and only with members of your household.


This was printed on The Sun under the heading VIRUS LOCKDOWN Key coronavirus lockdown questions answered — from leaving your home to public transport

 

[JFTDWS]

Yea, 'cos the Sun are a reputable source. They're conflating team sports (golf does usually involve human interactions) and "everything that is not walking / cycling / running".

 

[Michen]

Actually am massively on the fence with the riding thing. I’d be interested to know if those who are so insistent people shouldn’t be riding also don’t smoke for example. Something that also puts unnecessary strain on the NHS consistently rather than just during this crises. I appreciate this is “different” but our NHS has always been under immense pressure and seems somewhat hypocritical to only just care about it now, if you didn’t before, IMO.

Oh and I say that as someone who probably smokes a pack a month or so. Albeit not recently!

 

[JFTDWS]

Actually am massively on the fence with the riding thing.

I don't have an issue with the risk thing - I can see why people would feel it was an unnecessary risk for them to ride. I don't agree, for my circumstances, but it's a reasonable point of view for someone with different risk perception to me.

I do object to people claiming the government have said things they haven't, or using The Sun to support their rhetoric thought

 

[Fifty Bales of Hay]

I don't have an issue with the risk thing - I can see why people would feel it was an unnecessary risk for them to ride. I don't agree, for my circumstances, but it's a reasonable point of view for someone with different risk perception to me.

I do object to people claiming the government have said things they haven't, or using The Sun to support their rhetoric thought

I don't actually have any rhetoric thoughts on the subject at all. I just found this and thought I would post it up. Not saying whether its correct or incorrect, as I've absolutely no idea. It would have been interesting I guess to have known who was answering the question and as to their knowledge about it all? If I'd just put it up people would have asked where I saw it, so I did it there and then when I had the page open. Nothing more really. Was trying to be helpful sorry if you found me objectionable or thought I was claiming something I wasn't.

 

[ester]

It's just that some basic fact checking would help before things get posted. I would have been surprised had the official announcement listed every outdoor activity/transportation method you can do on your own.

but then someone just told me that having given them the entire paper for viral survival on various surfaces didn't mention covid at all because they call it SARS-CoV-2 . (they had said <1 h, which is a bit different to 72)

At least people seem to have got over saying 'it's just another influenza'.

 

[Winters100]

Im not riding and my horses are being turned out for a lazy few weeks/months. I am a frontline worker and my sister and brother in law are hospital consultants, perhaps it is because I see and hear 1st hand how much pressure the NHS are under trying to cope with this virus, i couldn’t forgive myself if i ended up taking up vital NHS resources due to a riding accident. We all need to work together to get through this.

You are 100% right. I am also not riding or going to the yard at present. It seems to me that many people would like to interpret the rules in their own way to justify doing what they would like to do. It doesn't matter what the rules say, it is clear that it is to the benefit of society if we leave our homes as little as possible. I live with an orthopaedic doctor who does some of his shifts in the emergency room. He would think anyone who came in for treatment from a riding accident at present incredibly selfish. My horses are both fit, but so what? I can get them fit again later. Although there are no restrictions on me going to the yard where I live, and similar to the UK it is possible to go, I put arrangements in place and stopped going before any restrictions on general movement were imposed. It is quite likely that we will have the virus in our household at some point, and I would certainly like to avoid passing it on if I possibly can. Right now I am going nowhere and seeing no one from outside our household. I have enough shopping in and if we are missing something we will do without if we can. It is clear to me that we need to look at what we should do, not what we can do. I now have essential care for my horses. It is not what I would ideally want, but it is sufficient and they will not suffer. In my opinion anyone who is able to do this should do so, and those who cannot should go and do the essentials for their horses as quickly as possible if anyone else shares the yard. None of us like this, but you simply cannot argue that riding is essential to life - we would all take time off for a lame horse after all.

 

[JFTDWS]

Was trying to be helpful sorry if you found me objectionable or thought I was claiming something I wasn't.

Nope I don't find it objectionable at all, and I'm very glad you posted where you'd found the Q&A you posted. It's good to quote sources.

It's even better to use reputable sources, though. I linked to the government guidance above. If the Sun had more to go on than that, they should've quoted their source. However, being the Sun, one suspects they've probably just vomited something onto the internet and left it at that!

 

[Pinkvboots]

Actually am massively on the fence with the riding thing. I’d be interested to know if those who are so insistent people shouldn’t be riding also don’t smoke for example. Something that also puts unnecessary strain on the NHS consistently rather than just during this crises. I appreciate this is “different” but our NHS has always been under immense pressure and seems somewhat hypocritical to only just care about it now, if you didn’t before, IMO.

Oh and I say that as someone who probably smokes a pack a month or so. Albeit not recently!

Me too and I broke my ankle badly when my horse fell on me a few years back, previously never had an equine hospital related injury ever but it has made me think about the consequences!

I don't smoke but I like a drink is that any better any worse!!

 

[Winters100]

Actually am massively on the fence with the riding thing. I’d be interested to know if those who are so insistent people shouldn’t be riding also don’t smoke for example. Something that also puts unnecessary strain on the NHS consistently rather than just during this crises. I appreciate this is “different” but our NHS has always been under immense pressure and seems somewhat hypocritical to only just care about it now, if you didn’t before, IMO.

Oh and I say that as someone who probably smokes a pack a month or so. Albeit not recently!

As someone who does not smoke, is not overweight and drinks only moderately I agree - these things do out pressure on health services. We should remember however that regarding smoking and weight some people have genuine problems controlling it. Also the problems are ongoing and predictable, so the health service can plan for them.

The big difference is that if someone is overweight or smokes in their own house they do not infect others, and they do not totally paralyse the health service in the same way that this virus does. Doctors and nurses can safely treat weight and lung issues without risking sickness themself. Your elderly neighbor will not become sick and die because an overweight person serves them in the local shop.

So while of course the ideal would be for everyone to adopt a healthy lifestyle I do not feel that someone who smokes or is overweight is selfish in the same way that I feel someone who refuses to stay home as much as possible is.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

I'm another who's on the fence; was talking about it to another horsey friend and in thinking the whole thing through we came up with the following two questions which we asked ourselves:-

(1) "when was the last time an ambulance had to be called for YOU as a direct result of a riding/equine incident"

and (2) "when was the last time an ambulance had to be called for someone else - either a person you know or a total stranger - as a direct result of a riding/equine incident"

I have never (touch wood) had to have an ambulance called to me out riding and I've been in the saddle for nearly 55 years now.

However, one of my liveries had to call an ambulance recently as her teenager fell off just up the road from here: bit of a scatty pony anyway which spooked at a pig.

About a year ago now I was on my way home from work and encountered a kid who'd fallen off, lying on the grass verge with pony (and concerned friend) standing there. I called an ambulance.

Gives pause for thought doesn't it.

Having said that; I rather suspect that there will be more drain on NHS resources and ambulances called for silly old gits doing DIY at home and falling off-of ladders, injuring themselves with power tools etc, and/or doing too much out in the garden and then having a seizure/heart attack, than the likes of me and others like me poodling around quiet lanes on our bombproof cobs .....

The other thing is that I'm sure that there will be those who will see the whole Corona Virus episode as an opportunity (now they're not having to go in to work) to sally off down to the beach and go surfing, hang-gliding or go out in the boat, or head to the hills and go climbing/mountaineering etc - and then get into a situation necessitating rescue and taking to hospital! Am just waiting to read about that happening somewhere; I live near the Jurrassic coast in Devon and my local beach apparently was way busier than any Bank Holiday last weekend with no parking available anywhere! The problem is that if this DOES happen (and I rather suspect that yes it will), then Boris would be forced to issue an edict concerning "high risk" sports and then we WOULD be totally forbidden to ride, End Of.

 

[Crazy_cat_lady]

I mainly hack as prefer that however the only current "rule" YO has put in is no hacking or jumping so I'll still ride or lunge but in the school. However her riding school is currently closed so the schools are more likely to be free.
Mine is pretty sensible as in doesnt buck or rear and well known to me. Hes also older so it will keep him moving a bit.

OH seemed to think his parents could still come round ours, er no it says no meeting people from other houses!

 

[DabDab]

As someone who does not smoke, is not overweight and drinks only moderately I agree - these things do out pressure on health services. We should remember however that regarding smoking and weight some people have genuine problems controlling it. Also the problems are ongoing and predictable, so the health service can plan for them.

The big difference is that if someone is overweight or smokes in their own house they do not infect others, and they do not totally paralyse the health service in the same way that this virus does. Doctors and nurses can safely treat weight and lung issues without risking sickness themself. Your elderly neighbor will not become sick and die because an overweight person serves them in the local shop.

So while of course the ideal would be for everyone to adopt a healthy lifestyle I do not feel that someone who smokes or is overweight is selfish in the same way that I feel someone who refuses to stay home as much as possible is.

I think this is the difficulty with horses - atm the judgement of the risk from riding is getting conflated with the issue that people are not staying at home. So the judgments call is a bit more nuanced than just yes or no. My horses are at home and exercise of them keeps everyone on an even keel. There is really no more risk from me being on board than on the ground to exercise them (probably less if I'm honest, I've seen far more lunging, long reining and leading injuries than I have ever seen riding injuries), and as I am perfectly well exercised by doing them at home I will not be leaving my property at all except for food shopping or if i have to go into work.

 

[HashRouge]

I am not riding. However, that is because I have my two retired horses in one location, and then go to another yard to ride my share horse. While going to see my two counts as essential travel, driving to my share horse's yard doesn't! Also, while my two horses are on a completely private yard, I always see my share horse's owner when I am there and she is in the at risk group due to age/ health. All in all, it would involve completely going against government guidance. That said, if he was at the same yard as my two oldies, I would still ride as my exercise. I'd certainly still ride my Arab if she was a few years younger. I don't think we should outright say that people shouldn't ride, but I think people should be as sensible as possible and consider their own situation carefully - how safe is your horse? How well do you know them? Are you going to do a particularly risky activity like jumping?

 

[Leo Walker]

I'm still driving, though a lot less. I'm lunging and I pay someone to hack her out twice a week as well. Shes a lammi risk and I really struggle with her weight. Work is the only thing that seems to make a difference. From my point of view shes an established pony and would never do anything to cause an accident, so if something happens it will be a genuine freak accident. If weight wasnt an issue I'd have turned her away, but it is so I'm just doing the best I can.

 

[Winters100]

I'm still driving, though a lot less. I'm lunging and I pay someone to hack her out twice a week as well. Shes a lammi risk and I really struggle with her weight. Work is the only thing that seems to make a difference. From my point of view shes an established pony and would never do anything to cause an accident, so if something happens it will be a genuine freak accident. If weight wasnt an issue I'd have turned her away, but it is so I'm just doing the best I can.

Yes, I can see that for some people it is necessary to keep the horse moving. But honestly I feel that if everyone who could arrange adequate basic care stayed away then if would leave the yards empty for use by people like you who would have a genuine welfare issue if they do not attend. Whichever way you look at it less people = less risk. I am lucky that my 2 are uncomplicated, so much as I miss them terribly (and worry about them) it is quite possible for me to stay home and leave the yard for others who do need to be there. The level of care that they have now is basic, if you had asked me a month ago what they need it would have been a long list, now it is pared back to turnout, hay, hard food (made simpler for the grooms by taking out all the supplements etc), water, clean box, rugs. I am also grateful that the few owners who really do have to go to our yard are being good about checking things, offering to do jobs, sending photos etc.

 

[vmac66]

Not riding at the moment although that may change in the future. Horse is laminitis risk so really need to start upping her exercise. Had planned on lunging and walking out in hand.

 

[Bernster]

I’ve been on the fence too, but I kind of always knew what the answer was. My take on the latest is - For those who need to care for a horse, they should make arrangements to limit their journeys away from home eg share with another or apply a rota, but they can travel if they have to. And then practice good hygiene etc.

For those who have the ability to have someone else care eg livery, they shouldn’t travel to ride. It’s not essential travel.

Those who do choose to ride, or exercise, should take care and don’t do activities that are likely to put you at risk.

Whilst some of the latest guidance from bhs and bef talks about individual choice, assessing risk and YO choice, it’s the travel bit that we should be more focussed on.

It’s tough though as my travel would involve no contact with anyone, and I’m already social distancing. That would be way less risky than loads of other activities.

Decision out of my hands now as my yard has today locked to liveries.

 

[maya2008]

Risk of putting strain on the NHS from riding: low for us doing low risk activities regularly. Ponies are small and falling distance would be tiny, ponies also are kind and do everything possible to keep their humans attached (shetland excluded but she will stay on the lead!).

Risk of putting strain on the NHS from going to buy food: huge. One Coronavirus filled household (4 people), because one person with a cough chose neither to stay home nor to cough into a tissue/arm/whatever.

To put things into perspective...

 

[wiglet]

My yard (full livery) is on lockdown with only the YO (who lives on site) and the staff allowed to be on the yard. So, no riding and no horse cuddles for me

 

[TotalMadgeness]

Yes - because both of my horses are at risk of lami and both have joint issues. HOWEVER I have them at home and will work with them sensibly - mainly from the ground with minimal riding (even then it would be flatwork). If I do any hacking it will probably be in hand with my husband leading one of them. It will be on a short route where we are extremely unlikely to meet anyone & a route which the horses are very familiar with. Neither horse is prone to dramatics but they do need exercised and turning away is not an option. I am so risk averse anyway I'll be as careful as possible.

 

[mavandkaz]

My horse is on DIY at a yard 10mins from home.
I've been stressing myself out deciding what to do. Horse can have the odd spook and spin out hacking, although these are getting less common. But have never felt unsafe or anywhere near to being unseated. So have decided to only school, and might 'hack' around the field.
Although in theory she may still spook in the field at a rogue pheasant, at least I am then not putting anyone else at risk. E.g, there is always the risk when hacking out that horse could spook into path of a car etc. (I have access to bridleways but need to use quiet roads to get there, plus there now seem to be dog walkers everywhere, so will stick to private land).
Have also decided to have horse turned out for me in the morning, so that I only need to go up once a day, therefore halving my contact with the outside world, and also means I won't have to go to the petrol station as much.
I may yet decide to stop riding completely as would feel absolutely awful if something happened and took resources from the NHS at this time.