Covid: Staffordshire riding school calls for change in lockdown rules

Horses risk physical deterioration without regular exercise

Horses are at risk of "all sorts of ailments" amid "major welfare concerns" due to Covid restrictions, a Staffordshire riding school has warned.

Stables are currently closed to the public, leaving some horses without their usual level of exercise.

Ingestre Stables has called for socially distanced tuition to be permitted to prevent the animals from physically deteriorating.

Tim Downes, owner of the stables, said several older horses had died.

He said: "We're already hearing from schools up and down the country that are losing some of their older horses from ailments that are brought on just by horses standing still and not getting worked."

Owner Tim Downes said the horses are not getting the exercise they need

During previous lockdown restrictions, the issue had been "less severe" because horses can live in fields during spring and summer, and they require less food and exercise, the organisation said.

In the winter, for many horses, it is necessary for them to be stabled, therefore requiring supplementary feeding and regular exercise.

There was also the "welfare issue" of being able to raise enough money to feed the animals, he added.

He said: "For many regular riders visiting their local riding school is critical to their mental wellbeing as well as being a recognised form of physical exercise."

Andrew Bennie said he believes one-to-one lessons could be carried out safely

Former Olympic equestrian, Andrew Bennie, who works from the stables, said he believed socially distanced lessons could be achieved safely.

"If there's the ability to open garden centres and businesses like that where people are close together surely they could look at what we're trying to do in places like this to keep our horses working and keep people exercised."