The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Riding Lesson Barns and Summer Camps in Ontario

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has direct effects on the operations of riding lesson facilities and summer camps, with little government guidance on how to implement these. An online survey link was distributed to riding lesson facilities in Ontario. Descriptive statistics of respondents (n = 72) reported a decrease in both the number of riding lessons offered and the number of riding students per lesson. Scheduling riding times and limiting access to specific places on the farm ensured controlled access to the farms. Strict hygiene procedures were implemented including disinfecting high contact areas and shared tack. Summer camps followed the same procedures, although some farms chose not to offer camps at all. The use of facemasks was not prevalent in either riding lessons (43.3%) or camps (25%), likely because the activities took place outside. However, recent evidence shows that facemasks are perhaps even more important when outdoors, and it is recommended that riding lesson facilities re-evaluate their requirements for students and staff to wear facemasks while in the barn. In spite of the hardships, many positive aspects were noted including time to attend to repair and maintenance needs, scrutinizing business practices, more respect for barn rules, and more time to bond with the horses.

Response of UK Horse, Pony and Donkey Owners to the Early Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…A minority of respondents reported that due to lockdown and being furloughed from work, they were able to spend more time with their horse, a benefit also noted by Merkies et al in their Ontario-based study [ 13 ]. The emotional support provided by equines is likely underestimated in comparison to other companion animal species.…”

“…The rigor of these measures differed between respondent reports from simply abiding by social distancing regulations while on the yard, to disinfecting all surfaces touched, using disposable gloves, and ensuring that the respondent was the only person touching their horse and all their associated equipment. These measures closely resemble those used in equine establishments in Ontario [ 13 ]. Facemasks were not reported by respondents as one of the biosecurity measures they used while with their horses.…”

“…Facemasks were not reported by respondents as one of the biosecurity measures they used while with their horses. A study of equestrian establishments in Ontario similarly found that facemasks were not used by the majority of people [ 13 ].…”

“…The response of animal owners and caregivers to the COVID-19 pandemic has been investigated in several survey-based studies, which have typically focused on the pros and cons of companion animal ownership at this time, alongside the impact this has on human physical and mental health [ 1 , 8 , 10 ]. Equines fall under the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) definition of companion animal [ 12 ] and most equestrians consider their horses this way and have strong feelings of attachment towards them [ 13 , 14 ]. Yet horses have been largely overlooked in the published literature regarding the impact of COVID-19 on pets and their owners, which has tended to focus on cats and dogs (e.g., [ 1 ]).…”

The Human Aspect of Horse Care: How the COVID-19 Pandemic Impacted the Wellbeing of Equestrian Industry Stakeholders

“…The potential changes in horse owner perception following pandemic-associated isolation were explored by Hockenhull and Furtado [ 40 ], who suggested that the pandemic may have offered equestrian stakeholders an opportunity for reflection upon how they derived their satisfaction from involvement with horses. Equestrians deriving pleasure from undertaking tasks other than riding, such as grooming and general horse care, could be a positive outcome of the pandemic that others have also noted [ 41 ], and this phenomenon may have positive impacts on owners’ relationships with their animals in the future.…”