Thoughts on riding being allowed with November lockdown

[Spottyappy]

Just wondering what people think the official advice will be.
I really hope we will be allowed to carry on, but I know last time the advice was not to, because of having an accident, and needing the over stretched NHS.
However, the mental health aspect of last lockdown does seem to have been noted, and horse riding is definitely Very beneficial to mental health.

 

[MuddyMonster]

I rode through the last Lockdown and fully intend to through this one, unless it becomes illegal.

ETA: I think people just need to use their common sense and stay within their known capabilities. Now probably isn't the time to back that sharp 4 year old if it's your first time backing a youngster, work through that big issue you've been having or go XC schooling but I'm quite happy carrying on as I am.

 

[ew0855]

Were allowed to in last lock down legally (although our yard went through a period where we weren't allowed on)
NHS is overstretched every winter - and numbers are still going to be high in 5 weeks time
No plan to avoid lockdown 3/4/5 (we've heard about increased testing several times before)
Allowed to exercise outdoors

 

[HashRouge]

Just wondering what people think the official advice will be.
I really hope we will be allowed to carry on, but I know last time the advice was not to, because of having an accident, and needing the over stretched NHS.
However, the mental health aspect of last lockdown does seem to have been noted, and horse riding is definitely Very beneficial to mental health.

I don't think there was ever anything from the government saying not to ride and it counts as daily exercise. I rode all through the last lockdown and intend to ride through this one too.

 

[Goldenstar]

I will ride through this lockdown I did not do so last time .

 

[teddypops]

You were allowed to ride through the last lockdown too.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

I'll be hacking as I did before, but RC clinics and local arena hire will be off the agenda again.
Shame, as I have no surface to ride on, but at least I can aquaplane out....

 

[Wishfilly]

I'm not sure last time there was any specific advice from the government not to ride? I think it was more a general public opinion thing? I think the BHS advice was not to ride unless exercise was necessary for horse welfare reasons.

Given I'll still be working as normal (as a teacher), I feel pretty entitled to ride as normal too! I know that's a bit selfish, but I'm going to need something to keep me sane!

 

[irishdraft]

You are allowed to ride your horse it counts as exercise and welfare reasons for the horse .

 

[Griffin]

I'm not sure last time there was any specific advice from the government not to ride? I think it was more a general public opinion thing? I think the BHS advice was not to ride unless exercise was necessary for horse welfare reasons.

Given I'll still be working as normal (as a teacher), I feel pretty entitled to ride as normal too! I know that's a bit selfish, but I'm going to need something to keep me sane!

Me too! I rode through the last lockdown and will do so during this one. I am still working and spending time with my horse and riding her is pretty essential to good mental health for me.

 

[Red-1]

I believe in sticking to the rules. The rules last time were that you could ride, so I did.

It was just the BHS who said not to, but they also came up with the idea of not posting on FB or wherever anything joyful with your horse. BHS don't make the rules, for private riders anyway.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

I felt so hopeful when it said outdoor exercise still allowed but then I read that riding centres are to be closed so that looks like lessons out of the window for me. I don't know what will happen with share horse, sadly I suspect I won't be allowed to go up to see him. I know (from very difficult personal experience) that this isn't the worst thing to happen from lockdown, but I am so gutted just now. Riding/horse time has been helping me with my mental health (signed off work following said difficult personal experience).

In general I think it makes sense to perhaps be more cautious/risk averse with riding to really reduce risk of accidents requiring hospital in case they really get swamped, but I'm quite cautious anyway so I would say that.

 

[lannerch]

You are only allowed to excercise with one other outside your household which I expect is why riding schools will be closed .

 

[Spottyappy]

I believe in sticking to the rules. The rules last time were that you could ride, so I did.

It was just the BHS who said not to, but they also came up with the idea of not posting on FB or wherever anything joyful with your horse. BHS don't make the rules, for private riders anyway.

However, they insure a lot of us (myself included), so riding against their advice, would surely void the policy?

 

[HashRouge]

I felt so hopeful when it said outdoor exercise still allowed but then I read that riding centres are to be closed so that looks like lessons out of the window for me. I don't know what will happen with share horse, sadly I suspect I won't be allowed to go up to see him. I know (from very difficult personal experience) that this isn't the worst thing to happen from lockdown, but I am so gutted just now. Riding/horse time has been helping me with my mental health (signed off work following said difficult personal experience).

In general I think it makes sense to perhaps be more cautious/risk averse with riding to really reduce risk of accidents requiring hospital in case they really get swamped, but I'm quite cautious anyway so I would say that.

You might be - I rode my share horse all through the last lockdown. Worth asking the owner anyway!

 

[Wishfilly]

I felt so hopeful when it said outdoor exercise still allowed but then I read that riding centres are to be closed so that looks like lessons out of the window for me. I don't know what will happen with share horse, sadly I suspect I won't be allowed to go up to see him. I know (from very difficult personal experience) that this isn't the worst thing to happen from lockdown, but I am so gutted just now. Riding/horse time has been helping me with my mental health (signed off work following said difficult personal experience).

In general I think it makes sense to perhaps be more cautious/risk averse with riding to really reduce risk of accidents requiring hospital in case they really get swamped, but I'm quite cautious anyway so I would say that.

That's really disappointing, especially re your share horse.

Part of what made me decide to buy my own was the lack of access I had to horses during the first lockdown. I am obviously not suggesting you panic buy a horse, though!

I am really pretty risk averse in my riding anyway- I live alone and couldn't afford to have an accident, plus I have "the fear" of jumping, these days.

I don't know what to suggest in terms of access to horses during lockdown, but I really hope you are able to figure something out!

 

[Sossigpoker]

I will carry on doing with my horse what I've been doing which is a little schooling and long lining. I won't be trying anything new or hacking out.
That is unless my yard owner goes a bit mental and doesn't allow us to go.down there or something. There is little Covid in my area so there really isn't a need for a lock down here but needs must I guess.

 

[Wishfilly]

However, they insure a lot of us (myself included), so riding against their advice, would surely void the policy?

Their advice last time was really pretty vague and they acknowledged that many horses needed to be ridden for welfare reasons, so I don't think it would void the policy. I suppose it may be worth checking with them, though!

 

[lannerch]

However, they insure a lot of us (myself included), so riding against their advice, would surely void the policy?

Not if you were not breaking any rules, ie exercising with no more than one other outside your household. You would have to break the law to invalidate your insurance irrespective of their advice.

 

[MuddyMonster]

I'll be hacking as I did before, but RC clinics and local arena hire will be off the agenda again.
Shame, as I have no surface to ride on, but at least I can aquaplane out....

Yeah, I'm a bit gutted about clinics as had a few things booked in to keep me motivated going into winter - I guess I'll have to self motivate!

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

You might be - I rode my share horse all through the last lockdown. Worth asking the owner anyway!

Keeping everything crossed but up to his owner and YO to decide, will have to wait and see what they say. Everyone has to get their heads around the new rules and who can do what. Guess I'm just preparing myself as I'm not really essential to share horse's care and his owner is over 60.

You are only allowed to excercise with one other outside your household which I expect is why riding schools will be closed .

You're probably right. I always have private lessons so sort of hoped those could continue as just me and the instructor but suppose there's other stuff to factor in and might not be that viable for them to run like that anyway, I don't know.

Part of what made me decide to buy my own was the lack of access I had to horses during the first lockdown. I am obviously not suggesting you panic buy a horse, though!

I won't lie, it did cross my mind at one point but I resisted! Long-term it's something I'm aiming for. The horse fund needs a bit more topping up anyway

 

[Wishfilly]

You're probably right. I always have private lessons so sort of hoped those could continue as just me and the instructor but suppose there's other stuff to factor in and might not be that viable for them to run like that anyway, I don't know.



I won't lie, it did cross my mind at one point but I resisted! Long-term it's something I'm aiming for. The horse fund needs a bit more topping up anyway

I think, unfortunately, riding schools will have to close as non-essential businesses?

Can I suggest fantasy horse shopping as a fun lockdown activity, though!

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

I think, unfortunately, riding schools will have to close as non-essential businesses?

Can I suggest fantasy horse shopping as a fun lockdown activity, though!

Yes they come under the list of businesses to close on gov website. Bring on the window shopping!

 

[Bernster]

I haven’t read the new rules but last time the bigger restriction was the travel. I didn’t ride and my yard fully locked down for weeks. Just moved today, and part of the speed was wanting to move before another lock down. Just managed it.! Not sure whether I can travel to ride under this new one but I really hope so. I’ve been pretty cautious throughout especially the last few weeks, and it’s really only riding that gets me out.

 

[Cob Life]

I’m planning on riding as long as owners are still happy for me to. Private yard and only me there so risk is low. TBH I work in a huge school, the risk is going to be much higher there!

 

[SO1]

I did not ride during the first lockdown or visit the yard much but my pony was on box rest at the time for a suspensory injury and his care was done by the yard - he was only able to be ridden in walk which I had been doing and so instead of that he dud exercise on the walker. By the time he was trotting we were out of lockdown but we have a water treadmill on the yard and he can trot on that.

This time round is very different - he needs to be in work and kept fit he needs to canter and that needs a rider - lots of lunging is not good for his leg as it circles. I can pay a member of the yard staff to ride three days a week but the days she does not work there is is no-one available who is small enough to ride. I will wait and see what YO says and if I can be given some slots to come on the days that the rider is not working.

 

[Red-1]

However, they insure a lot of us (myself included), so riding against their advice, would surely void the policy?

I believe they eventually said that no, the policy was not invalidated. You were following govt rules, so the policy would have been in force. It would be a bit like saying you were no longer insured because you posted a photo on Facebook, which was another of their pieces of advice.

 

[teapot]

I think owners/loaners/sharers will be fine subject to any crazed yard manages; it's us centre clients that'll suffer again

ETS: riding schools are mentioned here, section 4. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-nat...aying-safe-outside-the-home-social-distancing

 

[Caol Ila]

I think owners/loaners/sharers will be fine subject to any crazed yard manages; it's us centre clients that'll suffer again

ETS: riding schools are mentioned here, section 4. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-nat...aying-safe-outside-the-home-social-distancing

WTF? That's a bit vague, but surely "stables and riding centres" can potentially mean any yard, not just riding schools? You can't just shut them, as animal welfare demands that horses are cared for. If I was in England, I would be losing my sh*t.

 

[teddypops]

However, they insure a lot of us (myself included), so riding against their advice, would surely void the policy?

They would have to inform you of a change in your policy surely?