Will COVID-19 affect equestrian sport? Yes, it will. In the immediate term, the FEI has already cancelled several equestrian sporting events in an attempt to prevent the continued spread of the virus. The future is still uncertain for FEI Championship qualifying events, as well as the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
In any case, it is clear that we need to take measures as a community to prevent the risk of contagion by the virus, as well as its impact on the health of the members of this community, particularly those in the designated risk groups.
Therefore, it is suggested to riders, in accordance with the recommendations of the DGS and WHO, that:
– Protect yourself and others by leaving the care of your horse to those strictly necessary for its feeding and physical exercise;
– Preferably use outdoor arenas, if this is not possible, opt for well-ventilated indoor spaces;
– Comply with the recommended social distancing – after all, your main partner is your horse! Opt for individual training/rides; avoid close proximity during handling and in the periods before and after practice;
– Good hygiene practices should be adopted, reinforcing hand washing according to the appropriate technique;
– Respect the rules of conduct for respiratory hygiene: cover your mouth/nose with a tissue when coughing/sneezing, discarding it immediately; or, if you do not have a tissue, use the crook of your elbow (and not your hands).
Illustration 1 – General recommendations from the DGS and WHO.
Regarding your horse, Intacol reinforces the fact that there is currently no evidence that domestic animals can contract or transmit the disease caused by COVID-19. However, the pandemic has imposed changes to our routines that will predictably cause changes in the routine and activity level of horses. In this way it is recommended:
1. Reduce the amount of concentrated food (feed) offered, prioritizing the forage component (hay) of the diet;
2. Allow some daily activity (guide or access to paddock) to stabled horses without planned mounted work;
3. Provide clean water at all times;
4. Given the reduction in exercise and potential impact on the horse's intestinal motility, it is recommended that during bed hygiene, daily monitoring of faeces is carried out (quantity – normal/reduced/increased, appearance – normal/dry/soft) in order to detect early changes in the horse's health status.
Illustration 2 – Practical recommendations for changing the horses’ routine and activity.