Life as a UK horse owner in the Covid-19 era
In just a few short weeks, Covid-19 has shattered our normal lives, sending us in directions and to decisions unfathomable in 2019. It was a disease in China. It was a disease in Italy. Then it came for us.
After the brief mad panic of stockpiling as much toilet roll and pasta as you can stuff into your lounge, comes the realisation that this disease isn't going to go away any time soon, and we will all have to adjust to a new way of living.
The question then becomes not one of 'how do we survive?', but rather 'what now?' and 'how long?'
Rationale behind the survey
For horse owners who keep their animals at livery yards, Covid-19 means the imposition of new rules and restrictions, both from the Government and livery yard owners / managers.
Social media is awash with anecdotes about yards and the levels of access they are providing. Some are carrying on as normal, whereas others are at the opposite extreme; removing all access or even charging for services they won't allow their clients to do.
To try and get a clearer picture, I decided to do a short survey for horse owners on livery yards, to see a) what restrictions are in place and b) how they felt about it. It was not aimed at the yard owners themselves, or what restrictions horse owners are placing on their own riding or access.
The survey is anonymous, and you can see the results from the top menu or here
​
A short note about grief and mental health
"Well, if they're being cared for, what does it matter if you can't see them?"
In an interesting interview on Radio2 the other day, the speaker talked about grief in these current times. Not just for the loss of loved ones, but for the loss of normality, jobs, and activities that define our lives.
As an example, when I'm not out riding or writing, I'm a huge Formula 1 fan. I count down the days of the winter off-season, get giddy with anticipation at pre-season testing, and chomp at the bit as the first race beckons. And then complain it's boring because Lewis Hamilton keeps winning all the time. It's a routine, a social activity, and a big part of my life. Covid-19 took all that away. I'm now so desperate I'm watching some of the drivers play racing computer games on the TV.
Horse ownership offers the same rituals. No matter how much we complain about picking up poo in the pouring rain, the lorry failing to start *again*, or worrying about whether we made the right rug choice because it's a bit colder than they said, we're still there doing the same routine over and over. Horses are part of our family, our escape, and if we can't spend time with them it can have an adverse effect on mental well-being. Covid-19 has sucked out the joy of living, and the effects will be felt long after the disease passes.
