Two months ago, if you’d told Paul Sharpe that he’d be writing a weekly e-mail to his staff to check in with them and keep up morale, he’d have told you that was crazy. And yet, here he is, doing what needs to be done to deal with a pandemic that no one could even imagine.
Riding clubs and equine associations will join the long list of those affected by COVID-19. With no show season in the foreseeable future, all levels of group activity will have to adapt to survive.
When a horse person says they’re retiring, you can assume that they will still be working, just doing something different. For Margaret Godson, COVID-19 was a catalyst, pushing ahead retirement plans that were already in the works.
Recognizing the urgent need of our equine friends, Jen Sweet of Lions Bridge Stables of Ayr, along with Jessica Blackwood, came up with a plan to help the horses. They launched a website and program called ‘Helping the Schoolies’ whose goal is to distribute a pandemic relief package for each riding facility in need. Relief will be used to ensure the basic needs, health and welfare of horses during the pandemic.
As Rosemarie described, “Months’ worth of sweat, tears, hard work, and huge community support has seen this project head down the back stretch to now be reaching the finish line, less than one year later!” They’re just finishing staining the boards on 20 new box stalls in a new barn along with tack lockers, a wash stall and grooming stalls. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic struck.
As a 34-year veteran farrier based in Waterdown, he’s trimming fewer horses under tighter biosecurity measures, but he still wakes up with a smile every day, knowing that he’s doing a job he loves.
The fastest horses in the land will be back in action at Ajax Downs on Wednesday June 10, 2020, opening day of the 21-card Quarter Horse racing season. Racing will be held each Wednesday through the summer with a post time of 12:55 p.m.
The nature of the horse industry will allow it to open up more quickly than other sports or hobbies. Social distancing is easy on a horse. For many, time with their horse is just that, alone, but for others who enjoy the social aspect of barn life, adjustments will need to be made. In the May issue we’ve got some stories from people who have taken up the challenge. We will be featuring these stories here on our website each day this week.
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) announced that the results of two days of additional testing indicate that containment and mitigation measures are working to contain the neuropathogeniclogical form of EHV-1 to a single barn at Woodbine Racetrack.
Equestrian Canada (EC) is pleased to announce the launch of the Return to Competition Guidelines for the Sport Horse Following a Break in Training Due to COVID-19