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 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 ORHA has cancelled the first show originally slated for the beginning of May.
The COC and CPC urgently call on the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to postpone the Games for one year.
EC and the PTSOs recommend that all facilities that host equestrian-related activities, including but not limited to boarding stables and lesson barns, cease public-facing and non-essential activities until greenlit by the aforementioned government authorities.
In response to requests coming in from the industry, Equine Guelph has moved up the start date and extended access for both their youth (13 – 17) and adult offerings of the Online Horse Behaviour and Safety Course.
“This marks the first cancellation in the event’s 42-year history, but the worldwide health crisis and concerns about the spread of COVID-19 make this the only decision possible,”
Our intent is to try and re-book many of these clinicians and entertainers for 2021 and build to assure an even more exciting show next year.