Covid impact of our Equestrian Lives

[Shoei]

Hi Guys,

I'm just sat here wondering about the impact on this year and if it how it has impacted on everyone's lives.

For me, I have been working from home since before the 1st lockdown.

Luckily, I have the horses at home so this has been a positive impact. I have a rather stressful job and it means that I can have a longer lunch break and go and ride or do jobs resulting in a better work/life horse/husband balance.

I'm less likely to plan however, so competitions are pencilled in where as before they would be booked early on.

It also meant that I got to spend my beautiful danes last few months with her 24/7 which really helped.

 

[Tarragon]

The two main differences to me has been that firstly I have gained two hours a day as I no longer have to commute and secondly I have actually entered in a few online competitions which is new for me because I don't really compete! I have found that being able to do something at home, where I don't feel the pressure of being publicly judged has been liberating.

 

[Scotsbadboy]

I've worked all the way through. I was horseless for the start of the lockdown but got itchy feet for a new horse in the May so went and bought one. That didnt work out so she was sold via the same dealer and has a wonderful home now much more suitable. I then found the horse market too ridiculous to buy again, i just wasnt going to spend 12k on a 6k horse!

I did pick up a new horse a couple of weeks ago (again during lockdown ... sorry not sorry!) and all seems to be going well although not great buying this time of the year. I keep at home with limited facilities but he's sane and sensible so weekend hacks are fine.

The only real impact was not eating out/ cinema and visiting family and friends (no real issue for a recluse like me anyway) Work has been busier than ever and anyone who gives me the 'poor me, ive been furloughed/ having to stay at home to work' .. get a prompt slap round the face!

 

[milliepops]

Work has been busier than ever and anyone who gives me the 'poor me, ive been furloughed/ having to stay at home to work' .. get a prompt slap round the face!

haha! this! I have WFH for 8 years anyway, but covid has increased the workload and stress significantly, I used to have lunchbreaks and be able to flex my hours quite easily, now it's long old days totally flat out and being too exhausted to do much else. it's making home life quite difficult because OH doesn't understand what it is to be a wage slave and I've definitely got too many horses to manage with the work-life balance skewed this way

 

[SpotsandBays]

I’m in the same boat as you OP. Im also WFH (have been since April!) and my horses are at home so I can go out morning, lunch and evening - and be done in the evening before it’s too dark! I’m summer I would ride before I had to log on which was lovely.

 

[Scotsbadboy]

I’m in the same boat as you OP. Im also WFH (have been since April!) and my horses are at home so I can go out morning, lunch and evening - and be done in the evening before it’s too dark! I’m summer I would ride before I had to log on which was lovely.

Post a picture or two .. go on, rub it in a bit more heheee x

 

[SpotsandBays]

Post a picture or two .. go on, rub it in a bit more heheee x

You wouldn’t want to see my camera roll at the moment! Blood bath! Despite telling my horses that I’m WFH, they insist on waiting until the weekend to injure themselves ? (all are fine, for now!)

 

[MuddyMonster]

I moved yards. My old yard turned out to be not quite right but hadn't wanted to move again as hadn't been there that long. Lockdown helped to me to decide that life is too short to be unhappy in my downtime, so I left I bit the bullet and moved to part/full livery and so far, it's been a mainly positive experience. I can now make the most of flexi-time and ride during daylight hours which is a huge help.

A lot of lessons and clinics got cancelled & I've lost my schooling mojo as a result so 'just' hacking at the moment but having lots of fun at the moment which I think is most important, so not worrying too much about our lack of schooling. I assume we'll still be able to canter a circle without falling over, but if we can't, I'll fix it later on when my mojo is back

 

[Shysmum]

I live in France, and currently we are only allowed to exercise up to 1km from your house. So I ride a circuit of 1km, carrying my obligatory paperwork with me ?

 

[Roxylola]

I've been working throughout - switched to home working at easter and the time save is a huge bonus. I can ride before work some days which is far better. Work and everything else is just as busy as ever if not more so. Having got started with our eventing training, and had a plan for arena eventing and gallop training as well as winter BD, we've had to put all that on hold at the moment. Which is frustrating especially not really knowing if we will be able to resume in December. Feels like its constant false starts and having to step back and try again

 

[ihatework]

I have to say, not a great deal (sorry to anyone it has!).

Lost the beginning of the event season with the big fella and fearing the whole season was going to be a write off it did just spur me on to actively get him sold. Which is a good thing, it needed to happen and he is in a great home. Just a shame not to get to do a couple of the events we were hoping to. First world problems though.

I work remotely anyway, so although my regular work trips to Ireland have stopped, work is pretty much the same old.

The 2 babies arrived but I think that would have happened regardless.

The 4yo hasn’t done a show and I think Covid has probably done me a favour with him. No real need to get him out and about so he has just had a quiet education and doing well for it.

I have friends whose horsey lives have been impacted in huge ways, sadly, due to Covid soon feel quite lucky really.

 

[HollyWoozle]

I sell riding holidays for a living and get my riding fix by testing or escorting a few rides each year. I got back from riding in Egypt in early March, made it home on one of the last flights, and then have been working from home... although not selling all that many holidays as you can imagine! My own horse is retired and I have missed riding so I have been on my Mum's horse a few times recently (he hadn't been ridden in 4 years) but lockdown didn't seem the right time to start him hacking again, so that is on hold for now too.

 

[dorsetladette]

I made the decision to send my mentally broken pony back to my sister. I would of got him out to a few in hand shows if they had been running and maybe got him a bit of experience showing rather than just being a field ornament. But it wasn't to be. He went back and we got ourselves a real bargain of a colt foal to show next year. Bert is enjoying his plods round the block showing Robin the ropes and I'm enjoying having a confident little pony around.
We've sold the lorry and I'll get a trailer and a tow car and get out and about with both the boys enjoying not having any pressure on me to achieve anything other than having fun.

Covids taught me life's to short to not get on and enjoy it. I've stopped putting things off and started getting on and having fun.

 

[oldie48]

It's been a very strange year for a number of reasons but the greatest impact of covid has been how it has affected my ability to get the treatment that I need to enable me to ride! I'm lucky to be retired and not affected financially or worried about losing my job but it has been very tough for one of my daughters who saw her business fold overnight and the other is a doctor who looks after Covid patients in intensive care (well not ATM as she has covid!) so it has been a worrying time. I chose not to ride in Lock down 1 and can't ride in Lock down 2 but generally I feel quite lucky.

 

[Xmasha]

From an equestrian POV, we have a foal on the way. When first lockdown hit, i thought we would try and put the timeout good use. So had Aria covered, and shes now in foal( To Avanti amorous Archie) Which has worked out great, as she really hasnt missed anything this year, so hoping she pops bambino out in April, and can come back into work at the end of the year and then back out competing the year after.
Work wise, weve been very busy and worked through both lockdowns, ive worked from home for many years so no difference on that score. Just really missing my lessons/outings at the minute as its the only thing i do, (apart from work and come on here !)

 

[emilylou]

I now get to work two days from home so commute time is less and I can ride during daylight hours in the week. Glorious!

 

[Winters100]

anyone who gives me the 'poor me, ive been furloughed/ having to stay at home to work' .. get a prompt slap round the face!

Personally I fee very sorry for anyone furloughed. Income is not 100% and there is a limit, and the uncertainty must be very worrying indeed. Same for many who are not used to working from home, uncertainty, plus for some unsuitable working conditions. Luckily does not affect me, but I do believe that people in this position deserve a little more kindness.

 

[Snow Falcon]

Son missed out on his potential last season with his current pony. I wanted to get out dressaging with my girl. Wanted to show the mare and foal. Husband lost his job so ended up selling the foal as didn't need an extra mouth to feed over winter. ?

 

[Abi90]

From an equestrian POV, we have a foal on the way. When first lockdown hit, i thought we would try and put the timeout good use. So had Aria covered, and shes now in foal( To Avanti amorous Archie) Which has worked out great, as she really hasnt missed anything this year, so hoping she pops bambino out in April, and can come back into work at the end of the year and then back out competing the year after.
Work wise, weve been very busy and worked through both lockdowns, ive worked from home for many years so no difference on that score. Just really missing my lessons/outings at the minute as its the only thing i do, (apart from work and come on here !)

Same! My ID mare is now in foal to a lovely KWPN stallion and it’s proven to be a good decision so far.

Have also worked through and been busier than normal

 

[AdorableAlice]

From an equestrian POV, we have a foal on the way. When first lockdown hit, i thought we would try and put the timeout good use. So had Aria covered, and shes now in foal( To Avanti amorous Archie) Which has worked out great, as she really hasnt missed anything this year, so hoping she pops bambino out in April, and can come back into work at the end of the year and then back out competing the year after.
Work wise, weve been very busy and worked through both lockdowns, ive worked from home for many years so no difference on that score. Just really missing my lessons/outings at the minute as its the only thing i do, (apart from work and come on here !)

A half brother or sister for Adorable Alice, how exciting. Good luck with the mare.

My equine year never got off the ground. Alice was measured in January and a plan made for her raid on the County shows, didn't get to one. Not that she was bothered, lazy bint at the best of times. Really missed supporting all our local countryside shows too. Plenty of visits from the vet and to the equine hospital in the second half of the year. I am now destitute, depressed and exhausted ! It can only get better on the equine front surely.

Never been busier at work with covid causing a lot more more work, I have most of my annual leave left so lots of long weekends to be had in mid winter which makes horse keeping easier, which will be useful as I am single handed at the moment.

 

[Xmasha]

Same! My ID mare is now in foal to a lovely KWPN stallion and it’s proven to be a good decision so far.

Have also worked through and been busier than normal

Ohhh ! Exciting, which stallion did you go with ? I put my ID mare In foal to a fabulous WB and got an amazing lad , he was super talented . Then the same mare was put to a WBX TB stallion and out came Aria , she’s the one now in foal . I’m hoping that by putting the ID back in , I get something with less sparkle ??

A half brother or sister for Adorable Alice, how exciting. Good luck with the mare.

t.

Thanks ! I’m very excited , it’s my first grand foal ( as I bred Aria too ) couldn’t have picked a better stallion ? hope he/she is as nice as Alice x

 

[Abi90]

Ohhh ! Exciting, which stallion did you go with ? I put my ID mare In foal to a fabulous WB and got an amazing lad , he was super talented .x

Challenge. He’s a big grey grade A showjumper who has a temperament to die for and his babies follow suit. She’s a real useful RC type So hoping to get something a bit more peppy but still sensible

 

[racebuddy]

I have worked all the way through as key worker , been demanding / stressful working in vet profession , if anything worked harder / longer hours and less work life balance now than had before , but have to be grateful we have a job but sometimes feeling very run down and tired xx in terms of horses ,
kept him ticking over and areaa hired not bothees with shows due to being very expensive and no fun , feel like we wont get any season anytime soon Even with tiers system in place

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

This year my horsebox has done very few miles, in fact I don't think I've had a horse in it. It's been out to collect bedding a few times but that's about it. I've had to recharge my batteries because with the lorry sitting doing nothing they go flat. We have strict time slots to go to the livery yard so we don't mix with anyone else. We have signs up everywhere & antiseptic gel which we use on arrival & when we leave. We only use our own tools & these & stable door latches are disinfected when we've finished. The worst thing about the lockdowns is I haven't hugged my eldest daughter in about 9 months.

 

[SatansLittleHelper]

From a horse POV it's mainly been my younger horse that hasn't gone to plan. He went off at the beginning of March to be backed etc and I was supposed to go and watch/help out but the lockdown put a stop to that. I've struggled to lose the weight I needed to plus been unable to see physio/counsellor/doctor etc so mentally I've not really been in the right place to do much with him as I want to be present and consistent when I do start doing more.
Socially covid has has very little impact as I'm an anti social cow at the best of times ??

Shoei your Dane looks beautiful. I lost of of my Dane boys in May but still have the youngster....covid has impacted there as puppy prices are ridiculous and I refuse to pay stupid money for another so my boy will have to wait a bit longer for a new House Horse sibling x

 

[Mrs G]

Im self employed and the type of work I do dried up immediately when the first lock down hit. I managed to get some work and therefore earn some money in between lock down 1 and 2 but I’m back to living off savings and whatever the government schemes will give me. It may be a bit ‘head in the sand’ but I’m avoiding thinking about my financial situation too much and I’m making the most of my ‘time off’ instead. My poor horse has never been ridden so much!

 

[Izzwall]

Im self employed and the type of work I do dried up immediately when the first lock down hit. I managed to get some work and therefore earn some money in between lock down 1 and 2 but I’m back to living off savings and whatever the government schemes will give me. It may be a bit ‘head in the sand’ but I’m avoiding thinking about my financial situation too much and I’m making the most of my ‘time off’ instead. My poor horse has never been ridden so much!

I'm exactly in the same boat! I've literally almost had the whole year off, I had an operation in February and then the week after I started working again lockdown 1 happened. Financially I'm crying inside but OH worked all through both lockdowns so managed to keep a roof over our heads! So all I do now is ride my horse ? I've never had her so fit and turns out the bridleways further from the yard are amazing, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't enjoying it! And not having any time limit on my day is great! Never been so happy

 

[vmac66]

I was furloughed. When the prospect of going back to work with my bullying manager loomed I decided I couldn't go back to that. I handed my notice in after being in the job for 14years, it was a, huge weight of my shoulders. I'd been unhappy in the job for a long time. I've started working for myself and so far it's going OK. Fingers crossed it was the right move.
I put the money I would have spent competing with the horse on weekly lessons, we've both improved so much.

 

[scats]

Equestrian wise it’s not really impacted me too much. As soon as the first lockdown was over, I was out and about with Millie every weekend until this recent lockdown. In fact, I’d go as far as today we’ve had an amazing year!

From a personal point of view, I started my business in February and had to shut for 6 weeks in March. I got no government help due to being a new business and working from my garage so I had zero income. I’d put my savings into setting up so I was in a bit of a tricky situation. Fortunately I chucked the horses out pretty much 24/7 and my Dad kindly gave me a helping hand money wise to cover some things. Although I’ve been open again since May, it’s definitely not been a normal year to start a business, though I think I’ve done pretty well considering.

During that first lockdown it was quite difficult to bite my tongue when a friend was hung up about being furloughed from one of her part time jobs and I was sat there with zero income... but I recognise that everyone comes at things from their own perspective and for her it was a big deal.

 

[caileag]

I have worked from home all the way through so managed to get in some more rides after work (initially just on the yard until it was deemed 'acceptable' to hack out). I am on a small yard so no issues about distancing from other liveries - YO imposed some disinfection rules for in and around the yard which I have been happy to follow.

The hacking out has been a bit up and down. Loads more people/bikes/loose dogs on the bridle paths than normal which has made it a bit more fraught. Once the schools went back things calmed down a bit.

I was made redundant at start of October, I thought oh well at least I'll have a good bit of time to ride as much as I want until I find a new job - I got one week of that - then fractured a bone in my foot! Just as that's starting to come good we got put into second lockdown. Have now ridden twice in about 6 weeks, horse has been lunged but not been off the yard in that time - confidence is pretty low at the moment but I'm starting out on the road back.