Your Horse and Covid-19

• If you are the sole carer for your horse you can travel to provide care for your horse. You should have a care plan set in place in the case of emergency if you are unwell/ need to isolate. Try buddy up with other friends who may be in the same position, or speak to family members who may be able to help. It would be an idea to write all your animals needs down for whoever is going to help out, this will include any feed, medication etc.
• BHS advise that you respect the protocol of the livery yard and all work as a team to agree a care plan for your horse. If on a shared livery yard it is important to always wear gloves, use your own equipment and try not to share tools, buckets etc. where possible.
• Be safe, be mindful of the potential impact for yourselves and others. The BHS advice on riding:

“There are no specific government guidelines for the question around whether we should still be out riding at present. Our strong advice is that it is not appropriate to put unnecessary pressure on the emergency services now or for the foreseeable future. It is incumbent on all of us to make an individual decision as to whether riding is necessary at all, at this time. Decisions can only be taken based on individual circumstances but our choices should always be mindful of the potential impact for ourselves and others.”

• The health and welfare of your horse is your priority:

Any concerns contact your vet, yard manager or BHS  

Email Equine@oaktreeanimals.org.uk where our team are more than happy to help give advice or guidance when they are able to pick up emails, please understand this is a busy time and replies may be staggered.

• Farrier visits:

It is agreed that the FRC interpretation of the Government guidance is that farriers can continue to provide essential services to equines, using their judgement of priority and/or urgency.

Any concerns contact your farrier or FRC  

All must follow the NHS guidance on covid-19