Hacking out and foot and mouth

[itsmyparty]

My YO has told all the liveries at my yard that we can't hack out whilst the foot and mouth outbreak is continuing. The yard, in Bucks, is nearly 50 miles from the outbreak, so well outside the the protection and surveillance zone. I know the movement of cows, sheep and pigs is banned nationwide but does that affect the horse-riding community ? Also, racing seems to be going on around the country today. Any ideas anyone ? I don't want to risk infecting any poor farmer's stock but is my YO being over cautious ?

 

[seansheep]

yes she is - the countryside is open

however if your yard has resident sheep,cattle, pigs, goats, llamas then your YO will be protecting her livestock as well

so her reaction is understandable

if your yard is only horse (and poultry e.g.) then you should be able to ride out as normal

the wind direction if this has been spread by wind was from the NEast at the time of the infection from Pirbright - so Berkshire is north and not even at risk of airborne infection

 

[itsmyparty]

Thanks for the reply - it's her other livestock YO must be thinking of, which is fair enough.

 

[Blizzard]

I think she is just being as cautious as possible.