Auslander
Well-Known Member
Yes it would. Whilst they are not multi million pound industries people’s livelihoods depend on horses being able to compete and hunt. If worst case scenario transport is ceased for a few weeks these are some of the ‘smaller guys’ that could take a hit:
Grooms preparing and doing second horses for hunting may not get that work for these few weeks. I know of someone who if hunting is stopped for a few weeks will be taking their horses off hunting livery and home. This is a huge pay cut to the livery owner.
Dealers who can’t get horses out hunting or competing still have to pay to feed/keep them. Unless the horse is very green it’s not building the experiences it needs to be sold at home.
Eventing season starts in a little over a month so many people are upping their training. There will no doubt be withdrawals if people don’t feel prepared enough if unable to get out before. This impacts the venue/competition organiser. For professionals this delays getting runs for more high profile events and could even impact their entries I.e Badminton??
A couple of weeks off won't create as a big a hit to peoples livelihoods as a major epidemic of equine flu!