State-Specific Resources for Coronavirus
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STATE SPECIFIC RESOURCES:
If you are in need of safety net programs for your horse (such as feed or veterinary assistance), click the button below to be directed to the UHC Resources available for horses at-risk or in transition.
State Specific Resources:
CALIFORNIA
State Specific Covid Information
EQUINE BUSINESSES:
COVID-19 Resources for Equestrian Facilities in California (California Department of Food & Agriculture)
Non-Profit Grants:
California Retirement Management Account (State of CA restricted, Thoroughbred Breed-specific)
Thelma Doelger Trust for Animals (State of CA Restricted, rolling basis)
CONNECTICUT
State Specific Covid Information
COVID-19 Guidance for Horseback Riding Schools Stables and Boarding Stables
HARTFORD, CT – In addition to implementing the Stay Home, Stay Safe protocols effective on March 23, 2020 at 8:00 p.m. through April 22, 2020; Governor Lamont’s Executive Order 7H required the Department of Economic and Community Development to provide a guidance document to determine essential businesses.
The Essential Businesses or Nonprofits designated in the guidance are not subject to the in-person restriction set forth in Executive Order 7H. Item 7 Services Including contained: “Animal shelters or animal care or management, including boarding, grooming, pet walking and pet sitting” as an essential business.
The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (DoAg), working in concert with the Connecticut Farm Bureau and the Connecticut Horse Council, recognizes that this is a challenging time for all – both equine boarding facilities and horse owners alike. It is our intent to ensure the health and welfare of animals is met, while mitigating the risk to the people engaged in those tasks. It is prudent for all of us to use common sense as we navigate the COVID-19 crisis. Every equine facility is unique with various capacities, services, and capabilities in providing the care essential to the wellbeing and health of the horses entrusted in their care.
Stables providing full-board services that meet all of the horses’ needs may set their own policies about restricting access by owners seeking to visit or ride horses. The Department supports limitations imposed by stable owners. Specific concerns regarding care should be addressed between the horse owner and stable owner/manager.
All stables should set up a schedule of access times to ensure that there are no more than five (5) people at the barn at one time. It is imperative that the principles of social distancing, proper disinfecting, and sanitary practices are maintained. Stables are free to enact additional measures and controls as needed to ensure the safety of all.
This guidance document cannot cover every single scenario. The following information is meant to clarify what equine activities may continue and which should be discontinued at this time.
Essential Equine Care
- Providing food, water, proper handling, health care (veterinary and farrier services), and proper housing
- Turnout and exercise necessary to an individual horse
Not Essential Equine Care
- Riding lessons/programs/camps
- Club/organization meetings
- Visits to an equine facility by anyone other than an essential equine caregiver
Recommended Practices
- Maintain the recommended social distancing protocols that include six (6) feet of separation between individuals
- Limit gatherings to fewer than five (5) people
- Ensure proper handwashing
- Limit access to and disinfect common areas regularly
- Avoid sharing equipment and supplies between people
- Non-porous materials (leather bridles/saddles/halters, nylon halters/lead ropes, gate latches, door handles, spray nozzle) harbor the virus longer than porous materials (cotton lead ropes, saddle pads)
- Clean communal leather tack daily with tack cleaner
- Disinfect gate latches, spray nozzles, cross tie snaps, pitchforks, wheelbarrows, and other frequently used items regularly or after contact with personnel
- Stall door latches, hose ends, light switches and feed scoops should be cleaned and disinfected frequently
- Sporting events are prohibited
IOWA
State Specific Covid Information
NON-PROFIT GRANTS:
Miccio Foundation (State of Iowa restricted, May – Nov 1st. )
KENTUCKY
MARYLAND
MASSACHUSETTS
MINNESOTA
State Specific Covid Information
Caring for your horses during Minnesota’s “stay-at-home” order and COVID-10 Restrictions (extension.umn.edu)
Minnesota Horse Welfare Coalition (Assists horse owners experiencing hardships.)
Minnesota Horse Council (Has both temporary Emergency Feed Aid, and Disaster Relief Programs. Contact Dave Fleishchaker 651-402-5512 superflei@yahoo.com for assistance.)
NEW HAMPSHIRE
NEW MEXICO
State Specific Covid Information
Non-Profit Grants:
Equine Protection Fund (New Mexico Restricted, Rolling basis.)
NORTH CAROLINA
State Specific Covid Information
North Carolina Horse Council Safety Net Program/Grants
EQUINE SAFETY NET PROGRAM
The Equine Safety Net was established to assist those caring horse owners who have temporary financial setbacks (such as a job loss, disaster or medical incident within the past 6 months) and are having difficulties feeding and caring for their horses.
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the North Carolina Horse Council is expanding this grant program to not only provide hay and feed but also to help cover Boarding costs, Veterinary costs and other necessities to maintain the health of our horses. These are small grants of $150 dollars per month and are renewable for a second month. We are also excepting COVID-19 as a reason for seeking the assistance. Grants will be reviewed every Friday and paid out on Monday of the following week.
The North Carolina Horse Council, in consultation with the North Carolina State Veterinarian, provides the following guidance regarding equine boarding, stabling, and/or training of horses:
Included in the umbrella of animal agriculture workers/animal production operations are those facilities and individuals associated with the boarding, stabling and/or training of horses throughout North Carolina. Horses are traditionally and legally considered livestock in the United States and in North Carolina and as such, require the active engagement of caretakers/owners to ensure their health, safety and well-being. In many circumstances, the care and oversight required of horses is more demanding than is the case for animal agriculture production livestock.
Given those requirements, equine boarding, stabling, and/or training facilities are rightly characterized as essential business activities. As an essential business, these facilities could remain operational so long as the facility implements and adheres to public health guidance that includes maintaining/practicing social distancing and limits number of individuals in the facility at any given time. Additionally, all tools, tack and equipment handled by individuals is to be adequately cleansed/disinfected and frequent hand washing must occur. Insuring compliance of the individual borders will be the responsibility of the facility owner/operator/trainer.
The offering of group riding activities for the public or other such retail businesses are not considered essential business activities and should be discontinued.
The decision to remain operational is the responsibility of each barn owner/operator/trainer.
OHIO
State Specific Covid Information
Non-Profit Grants:
Kenneth A Scott Charitable Trust (OH and Great Lakes Region restricted, December 15th, 2020 deadline)
OKLAHOMA
State Specific Covid Information
NON-PROFIT GRANTS:
Kirkpatrick Foundation (Central OK restricted, rolling basis.)
OREGON
SOUTH CAROLINA
WEST VIRGINIA
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