HORSEPOWER, INC Proposes Protocols for Reopening of Equine Facilities
HORSEPOWER, Inc
People Organizing for the Well-being of Equines and their Rights
April 28, 2020
The Honorable Andrew Cuomo
State Capitol, Executive Chamber
Albany, NY 12210
Dear Governor Cuomo,
As you are well aware, the novel coronavirus or, COVID-19 has created chaos and disruptions in every aspect of life across the state and country. While New Yorkers continue to grapple with the stunning loss of life and continuing healthcare concerns, they are also struggling with the economic impact to businesses both large and small.
One sector hit particularly hard by the PAUSE, is New York’s equine industry, a patchwork quilt of independently owned and operated businesses that cannot withstand a continuation of a prolonged hiatus without putting the very lives they are charged with caring for in peril. Equine boarding, lesson and rescue facilities are responsible for the care and well-being of approximately 157,500 living, breathing, dependent beings and without opportunity to bring in revenue, through lessons and training, they are struggling to stay afloat.
This past weekend, the media reported on the plight of New York’s equine facilities and their desperate attempts to care for stables full of 1200-pound animals with the abrupt cessation of their main source of revenue. The reported potential outcomes were grim. Many equine facilities will be forced to sell off stock to dealers, who will likely send them north of the border for inhumane slaughter absent a safe business solution.
Such a fate does not have to be realized though. Similar to golf courses and marina’s, equine facilities can effectively “re-open” with appropriate health and social distancing protocols such as:
· Strict observation of Executive Order requiring masks be worn at all times,
· Careful scheduling of individual and small group lesson’s (limiting group lessons to 3-4 riders at a time with strict enforcement of social distancing. Horses to be tacked up with a 12-foot distance between riders. Once in the arena, the trainer and rider are to maintain at least six feet of distance between themselves, the trainer and other riders at all times),
· Professional Trainers will carefully match horse and rider based on rider ability (lessons that require trainer to touch rider will continue to be suspended during phase one),
· Closure of all congregate settings in barns such as viewing rooms (requiring parents to remain in car),
· Implementation of and strictly enforced cleaning measures between each ride to appropriately disinfect all surfaces riders have come into contact with (such as tack, cross ties, stall doors and latches, horse grooming supplies, etc.,),
· Supplying fully stocked sanitizing stations throughout the barn, and
· Supplying each rider with a set of rules and protocols (in writing) and post throughout the facility.
New York is a horse state, maintaining a thriving equine industry is vital to the health of the state’s economy. According to The New York State Equine Industry Economic Impact Study, “The equine industry has a $4.2 billion effect on the state’s economy and generates 33,000 full-time jobs. Equine commerce also results in $187 million in state and local taxes for New York. The thousands of horse farms, training centers and riding stables doing business across the state preserve 1.3 million acres of open space.” We cannot afford to lose this vital industry and the horses that have served us. Please consider them as you weigh the delicate balance of the re-opening of specific businesses across the state.
Sincerely,
Karin Carreau, Chair & Co-Founder
Nancy Miller, Co-Founder & Secretary to the Board
CC: Patrick Hooker, Deputy Secretary for Food and Agriculture
Richard Ball, Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets
Eric Gertler, President and CEO of Empire State Development
HORSEPOWER, Inc. is a non-profit organization incorporated in New York State, working to assure the safety and well-being of equines through education, awareness and allies. It is the only statewide equine welfare organization focused solely on policy. Learn more about us at WWW.HORSEPWR.ORG