Horses, Boarding and Covid-19
I don't think there's anyone on earth who has not been impacted in one way or another by the Covid-19 pandemic. Businesses considered "non-essential" have been closed down, others close at early hours. Even the coffee I have been getting at night when I go up to walk Kobeejo and give him his meds during his rehab from surgery is not available at night. The store is open, but everything you can "grab and go" is closed down. They only allow people to order their coffee and food between the hours of 6am and 2 or 3 pm (depending on which store you go to). I assume because they are trying to cut back on the number of employees (and customers) in the store at once. Yet, I believe I saw more traffic out tonight than I have in the daytime.
Starting tonight at 8pm, the governor ordered all "non-essential" businesses and people to "Stay safe. Stay home." But this has apparently caused more concern than clarification. What exactly does that mean?? The state put up a list of essential businesses, but horse barns aren't on the list. Farms, however, are. Yesterday, when the order was to take effect, everyone at the barn was humming with talk of the barn closing down and not allowing any boarders in at all. This caused quite a stir to those of us on self-care board. The wording was vague; "if you aren't an essential employee, stay home." So, what exactly were we?? We were not employees of the barn, but we are essential to the care of our horses. The barn owners began discussing closing us out... away from our horses!! I panicked. This is a true issue for many of us who care for our own horses, and me in particular. Not only is my horse my daily therapy for my autism (and has been for 16 years), but as he had surgery recently, I am rehabbing him in a very specific way. The other issue was with money. If the barn had to care for self-care board horses, they would require compensation we simply cannot afford. There really is no way they could provide my horse with the diligent, specialized care I provide for him. The owner of the horse who lives in the stall across from mine was also up in arms. Her horse has HYPP. His care is more simple than Kobeejo's, but what if he had an attack? Some are so mild only she would notice. This could put her horse in grave danger.
The problem starts with government agencies putting out vague messages with no real clarification. These are not horse people. To them, a horse is an animal that sits at a barn whose workers tosses them hay and water every now and then. They do not realize the extent of care many horses require. As the owner of a special needs horse (and being a special needs person myself who needs the interaction of her horse daily to "stay sane,") I can attest to the lack of understanding those in government have for our equines.
There is also the mental needs of the horse (and in my case, myself) to consider. I have cared for Kobeejo myself every day for 16 years. He and I have an incredible bond that goes far beyond horse and owner. Times I have been late getting to the barn have freaked my horse out. I have been the consant in his life all these many years. He needs me to keep his absolute needs met and I need him in more ways than I can describe. These are highly intelligent animals with specific emotional requirements. The barn owners already care for their own horses, full board horses and lesson horses. Add 5 or 6 more and care quality drops tremendously. I have been there. Even when I have boarded at full care facilities I still took care of Kobeejo myself. Barns simply cannot offer such specialized care.
Worried this might come to pass, I went to work last night writing letters to every single person I could find in a position of government. I explained to them that this situation needs to be addressed in their terminology. So far, I have received only one specific reply. I wrote on the Facebook page of the Lt Governor and received a reply from another who wanted more information. She felt this was an important subject that needed addressing.
In NY, when they also put the "stay home" order in place, they specified that those who own and care for horses in boarding facilities should still be allowed to do such (paraphrased). So long as boarders adhere to social distancing (remaining at least 6 feet from others) and good hygiene (washing and sanitizing hands in and out of the barn) should not be kept from their animals. So... why did CT not put this same terminology into place? This is what I would like to see addressed. In the event a barn closes their doors to self-care boarders, there should also be clear exemptions for those of us with special needs and special needs horses.
Hopefully, this will get some attention.
Fortunately, the owners of our barn decided that boarders can come in (to care for and/or visit their horses). However, they must wash and sanitize their hands beforehand, only ONE adult caretaker is allowed in at a time (kids or others must remain in the car), everyone is to practice social distancing, and care for their horses only in the manner required, then leave. No social gatherings in the aisleways. I was so exhilarated by this news!! Myself and my friend (whose horse has HYPP) were so very happy for this news, we vowed to each other we would not only adhere completely to the rules, but be sure no one ruins it!
So, on that note, I leave you with the video I created to address the above issue. CLICK HERE to see this video on YouTube.
Starting tonight at 8pm, the governor ordered all "non-essential" businesses and people to "Stay safe. Stay home." But this has apparently caused more concern than clarification. What exactly does that mean?? The state put up a list of essential businesses, but horse barns aren't on the list. Farms, however, are. Yesterday, when the order was to take effect, everyone at the barn was humming with talk of the barn closing down and not allowing any boarders in at all. This caused quite a stir to those of us on self-care board. The wording was vague; "if you aren't an essential employee, stay home." So, what exactly were we?? We were not employees of the barn, but we are essential to the care of our horses. The barn owners began discussing closing us out... away from our horses!! I panicked. This is a true issue for many of us who care for our own horses, and me in particular. Not only is my horse my daily therapy for my autism (and has been for 16 years), but as he had surgery recently, I am rehabbing him in a very specific way. The other issue was with money. If the barn had to care for self-care board horses, they would require compensation we simply cannot afford. There really is no way they could provide my horse with the diligent, specialized care I provide for him. The owner of the horse who lives in the stall across from mine was also up in arms. Her horse has HYPP. His care is more simple than Kobeejo's, but what if he had an attack? Some are so mild only she would notice. This could put her horse in grave danger.
The problem starts with government agencies putting out vague messages with no real clarification. These are not horse people. To them, a horse is an animal that sits at a barn whose workers tosses them hay and water every now and then. They do not realize the extent of care many horses require. As the owner of a special needs horse (and being a special needs person myself who needs the interaction of her horse daily to "stay sane,") I can attest to the lack of understanding those in government have for our equines.
There is also the mental needs of the horse (and in my case, myself) to consider. I have cared for Kobeejo myself every day for 16 years. He and I have an incredible bond that goes far beyond horse and owner. Times I have been late getting to the barn have freaked my horse out. I have been the consant in his life all these many years. He needs me to keep his absolute needs met and I need him in more ways than I can describe. These are highly intelligent animals with specific emotional requirements. The barn owners already care for their own horses, full board horses and lesson horses. Add 5 or 6 more and care quality drops tremendously. I have been there. Even when I have boarded at full care facilities I still took care of Kobeejo myself. Barns simply cannot offer such specialized care.
Worried this might come to pass, I went to work last night writing letters to every single person I could find in a position of government. I explained to them that this situation needs to be addressed in their terminology. So far, I have received only one specific reply. I wrote on the Facebook page of the Lt Governor and received a reply from another who wanted more information. She felt this was an important subject that needed addressing.
In NY, when they also put the "stay home" order in place, they specified that those who own and care for horses in boarding facilities should still be allowed to do such (paraphrased). So long as boarders adhere to social distancing (remaining at least 6 feet from others) and good hygiene (washing and sanitizing hands in and out of the barn) should not be kept from their animals. So... why did CT not put this same terminology into place? This is what I would like to see addressed. In the event a barn closes their doors to self-care boarders, there should also be clear exemptions for those of us with special needs and special needs horses.
Hopefully, this will get some attention.
Fortunately, the owners of our barn decided that boarders can come in (to care for and/or visit their horses). However, they must wash and sanitize their hands beforehand, only ONE adult caretaker is allowed in at a time (kids or others must remain in the car), everyone is to practice social distancing, and care for their horses only in the manner required, then leave. No social gatherings in the aisleways. I was so exhilarated by this news!! Myself and my friend (whose horse has HYPP) were so very happy for this news, we vowed to each other we would not only adhere completely to the rules, but be sure no one ruins it!
So, on that note, I leave you with the video I created to address the above issue. CLICK HERE to see this video on YouTube.
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