BE COVID-19 SECURE
How to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission on your yard
Hands
Wash / sanitise your hands when you arrive and before you leave .
Regularly wash / sanitise your hands when on the yard .
Face
Wear a face mask in shared and social areas e . g . tack room , American Barn stable blocks , hay barn , feed room and yard offices .
Wear a mask when you are working with others .
Space
Wherever possible keep 2 metres apart , if not possible keep 1 metre apart and ideally wear a mask .
Limit movement around the yard : provide work stations ; extra tools and stagger or allocate visiting times to prevent busy periods .
Ventilate
Open doors and windows to ensure good air flow in barns , stables and social areas .
Identify poorly ventilated areas ( as these will feel stuffy or smell bad ) and avoid / reduce how many people can enter these areas at any one time
Be aware what you share
Disinfect shared areas between use e . g . taps , brushes , wheelbarrows . Limit the number of surfaces and equipment you touch / use .
Avoid doing other people ’ s horses , donkeys or mules unless absolutely necessary .
Plan / avoid
Try to agree with others time slots to try to minimise contact or visit at times when you know the yard will be quieter .
Working with others
Work alone if you can , if you can ’ t wear a mask .
If you need to pass others , pass back to back or side by side , not face to face .
Avoid shouting and singing as you work as these increase air flow and the risk of transmission .
Keep it clean
Keeping your stable and the yard clean can reduce the risk of transmission of the virus from surfaces to you .
Be prepared
Keep in regular contact with each other and the yard owner / manager
COVID plan – have a Covid plan in place with a buddy or your yard , in case you have to self – isolate or become ill and cannot care for your horse , donkey or mule .
Buddy up – nominate and agree a buddy to care for your horse , donkey or mule in case you are not able to . Your buddy could be a member of staff on your yard or a friend , but they should be an adult and have sufficient equestrian experience to be capable of handling and caring for your horse , donkey or mule without putting them , or themselves , in any danger .
Stock up – ensure you have sufficient feed and bedding for your horse , donkey or mule to cover a 2 week period in case you have to self-isolate . Limiting the number of trips you need to make to feed stores , etc and the number of deliveries onto your yard will also reduce contacts and risk .
Communication - ideally give a copy of your Covid plan to your yard owner / manager so they know what arrangements you have put in place for your horse ’ s , donkey ’ s or mule ’ s care . As a minimum , make sure you have told your yard owner / manager who your Covid buddy is and what they will be responsible for in your absence . You should also inform your vet and farrier as soon as possible if you have to use your Covid plan , so they are aware who your Covid buddy is , in case they need to contact them in your absence .
Key contacts – ensure your yard / Covid buddy knows the contact details for your vet , farrier and YOU !
Vets – find out about any special arrangements your vet requires to be able to come onto your yard , so you can be prepared in case of an emergency .
Feeling worried about Covid-19 , additional help and support is available at : www . gov . uk / coronavirus www . nhs . uk / oneyou / every-mind-matters
Further guidance can be found at www . mdpi . com / 2076-2615 / 10 / 10 / 1862
EVERYTHING HORSE MAGAZINE : MAY 2021 • 5
Guidelines produced by : Dr Jane Williams ( Hartpury University ) and Dr David Marlin ( DrDavidMarlin . com )