Can we ride and should we ride are two different questions. The government is clear that we can - the updated document today still includes the language about owners being permitted to attend, care for, and ride their animals - equally clear that group lessons, camps, clinics, shows, etc are prohibited.
Whether we should depends entirely on each horse’s physical, mental and medical needs, their boarding situation, and the incidence of cases / capacity in hospitals in your area.
In the spring where we knew so little about transmission, the government hadn’t clarified if owners could access boarded horses, and our governing bodies were strongly advising that boarders not be allowed on property unless they were providing essential care, I FIRMLY believed that owners should not be visiting their horses if the barn they boarded at provided adequate care and exercise.
This time around, knowing that nobody is violating any restrictions by visiting or even riding their horses, I think everyone should make their own decision and not get concerned when someone else makes a different one.
And for those who do go to the barn from time to time, I think it’s probably helpful to not only take all precautions while there, but try to avoid interactions with others on the way there and back too - drive thru coffee, just running into the grocery store to grab one item, etc. If we can all eliminate several interactions per day, surely that helps? I don’t know, maybe just wishful thinking.
