Latest Equestrians Covid advice

Bookmark this Lingfield Equine Distance Learning page – we will update as soon as we have more information.

12th November update.   It seems that someone decided they should get more clarity on what was allowed – it is a great shame because it appeared to be working well.  What ever is the safest must be considered !

The BHS said:

We have just received the following information from Defra Animal Welfare Team re clarification on the operation of Riding Schools during lockdown, this is also being circulated to all Local Authorities. Riding schools cannot reopen to deliver lessons unless these form part of the core curriculum of formal education or professional/work-related training/development. This includes 1-1 training sessions. Employees of the riding centre may continue to visit the premises to maintain the property, and care for the animals located there (including exercise them). You can continue to visit riding establishments as a member of the public if this is where a horse that you own or care for is kept (presumably in a stable attached). You may continue to exercise a horse you own or care for in a public outdoor place (including ride it) as part of outdoor recreation. This can be within your same household or support bubble, or in a 1-1 meeting with one other person you don’t live with.

This means that: Riding schools can remain open where they provide formal education or training including training for regulated qualifications e.g. BHS stages 2 to 4 Riding schools must close for recreational lessons including one to one sessions You can continue to attend a riding school to care and exercise a horse where you are the owner, loaner or carer of that horse You can continue to visit a livery yard to care for and exercise a horse which you own, loan or share Coaches can continue to travel for work and deliver coaching on a one to one basis

Where a riding school is required to close we suggest that the business owner contact their Local Authority and ask for details of the Business Grants which are available to businesses which have been told to close as part of the National Restrictions in England.

Lingfield Comments:   Why didn’t they leave it alone we wonder

5th November:  BETA / BHS / ABRS / BE / Gov advice: For Horse Owners, Riding Schools and Livery Yards in England : Riding schools are not listed as business which are required to close in the Guidance for the National Restrictions for England.
However Stables are identified as business that should close within the legislation which can be found here. However the legislation includes an exception (Exception 10 in Regulation 6) whereby the care and exercise of an animal must be met. By implication stables can remain open to care for and exercise horses. Exercise outdoors is permitted and this includes horse riding. This can be undertaken with the people who you live with, your support bubble or one other person You can travel for exercise if you need to make a short journey to do so You are permitted to leave your home to care or exercise an animal or horse where they are not kept at home You can leave home to seek advice about the health or welfare of your horse including veterinary, farriery, dentistry and physiotherapy treatments Farriery, veterinary and physiotherapy treatments can continue When visiting a livery yard or stables you should avoid unnecessary social contact and gathering with people who you do not live with You should follow the Covid protocols which are in place and maintain social distancing You should not visit a livery yard if you have coronavirus symptoms, are awaiting a test result, if you live with anyone who is exhibiting symptoms or who has tested positive or if you have been notified to self-isolate via Track and Trace

SportEngland issued guidance during lockdown which has now been removed from their site.

We can now confirm that: One to One training and lessons in a riding school can continue. Any sports coaches or trainers undertaking 1-1 sessions should ensure they are complying with relevant National Governing Body Safeguarding Policies and Procedures and conduct a thorough risk assessment before engaging in any sessions. This should include particular consideration for under 18s and vulnerable adults. You can travel your horse to use an outdoor arena to exercise and an arena can continue to be hired out providing all necessary Covid protocols and social distancing are in place

The British Equestrian Trade Association have today provided some basic information to their members but we are waiting for clarification on some issues.

BETA information provided 4th Nov. Businesses that are permitted to open.

The businesses that are listed are identical – as hoped- as last time, including pet shops and agricultural supplies shops.  Horses are listed as part of the livestock category in the SI meaning that you should assume that products relating to the care and upkeep of them fall into the types of products being sold from an agricultural supplies outlet.

…… Beta goes on to say that their …..

interpretation therefore is that if you remained open during the last lockdown on the basis of providing items for the care and welfare of livestock and pets, there is no reason to think that you should not remain open now with the over-riding principle being that you continue to act in a Covid safe way at all times. Please note that there is no definition of essential goods or services anywhere in the SI so the definition of what is “essential” and not is largely open to (y)our interpretation.

Stables and riding centres have been removed from the guidance under businesses required to close in the leisure sector. For some inexplicable reason the word “stables” has been retained in the SI under the businesses required to close listing. Stables have not however been defined. Those which are businesses must continue for welfare reasons and the people keeping their horses there must be allowed to continue to attend their horses for the purposes of care and exercise.  This is clearly stated in the guidance saying that it is permissible to travel to exercise or care for your pet or livestock and is reinforced in the new guidance issued this evening for animal keepers.  This confirms that “if you have a horse that you don’t keep at home (for example, you keep it in livery, a stables or on private land), you may visit it to maintain its welfare”. I know that this does not largely impact on most of our members but is I hope useful to know.  I expect to see further guidance come out from the BHS and BEF referencing this specific part of the SI and the commercial operation of stables. It is permitted to travel to work including work in other people’s homes.   It is also permitted to travel to attend to the care or exercise of an animal.

BETA continued….. Our interpretation therefore, would be that those of you offering services and products including nutritional advice, delivery of product and fitting services requiring attendance at livery yards whether a commercial establishment or in private premises should be able to continue to provide these, assuming that you follow the requirement to only interact with one person at a time and maintain the necessary Covid secure procedures. I would also suggest that you should risk assess on the basis of importance for the health and welfare of the animal and /or rider.

The overriding principles throughout should be that :

You must:           Continue to act in a Covid-safe way at all times

You should:        Minimise close contact with others and always wear appropriate PPE

Risk assess the services offered and exercise your expert judgement as to what it is appropriate to offer and what is necessary to defer.

You can:              Continue to carry out work in support of equine welfare and in support of other equestrian businesses and trade.

BETA stated that they are unable to provide black and white advice at this stage and will update us asap.

SI – from www.parliament.uk:

Statutory Instruments (SIs) are documents drafted by a government department to make changes to the law. They are published with an explanatory memorandum, which outlines the purpose of the SI and why the change is necessary.