Letter from the Publisher


A MARYLAND HORSE COUNCIL PUBLICATION


by Carrie Hull, Equiery Publisher & MHC Executive Director First and foremost, we sincerely hope you, your families, and your


beloved horses are safe and healthy as we face some of the most un- precedented times in modern history. Te COVID-19 crisis has affected every aspect of our local horse community and it is our responsibility as the Maryland Horse Council to provide you with the most relevant and up-to-date information. You can easily find all official information from our governor and the state at https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/. How- ever, we have highlighted the most critical points relevant to the horse community and industry:


Illegal Activities - Fines & Jail Time As of press time, the ban on all gatherings of more than 10 people


remains in effect. Tis means that any event larger than 10 people (e.g. horse shows, clinics, larger trail rides, conferences, etc.) is illegal under current Maryland law. Willful violation of the ban could result in fines up to $5000 and imprisonment of up to one year.


Equine Related Injuries - ERs & Hospitals During this time, please exercise extreme caution in your own equine


activities. Tink twice about doing anything that might increase your risk of injury. Te state continues to face shortages in the medical commu- nity including reduced inpatient beds, availability of doctors, and sterile medical environments free of possible COVID-19 contamination. Trips to the ER increase your risk of contracting disease, and you may also be taking up medical resources that are needed by very sick people.


Social Distancing for Stables - Best Practices


Te CDC and WHO also suggest the practice of social distancing. Tis should apply to all activities including equestrian activities at your farms, barns, and other agricultural buildings. Recommended practices include:


1. A minimum space barrier of 6 feet between yourself and other people


at all times. (e.g. no giving leg ups, no riding side by side, etc.) 2. No more than 10 people in an area or present at an activity at one


time. (Now mandated by Maryland Governor Hogan’s order) 3. Sanitization of all common surfaces, supplies, and other items.


Although not as common as direct person-to-person transmission, it


is possible to contract COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it. Te virus can survive from several hours up to several days on surfaces, depending on the type of surface, and the temperature and humidity. When considering sanitization of commonly handled items, think about such things as:


1. Tack and Apparel: Bridles, Saddles, Girths, Saddle Pads, Wraps, Helmets, Boots, and all other Leather and Cloth items. 2. Communal Barn Supplies: Pitch Forks, Wheelbarrows, Hoses,


Grooming Equipment, etc. 3. Rest Room, Tack Room, Feed Room, Door Knobs, Light Switches, etc.


We strongly advise you consider the above best practices when making decisions to continue your lesson programs and invite individuals includ- ing boarders to your facilities. You can find a list of disinfectant products


www.equiery.com | 800-244-9580


that are effective in killing the Covid-19 virus here: https://www.epa. gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2.


Business Insurance - Loss of Income Clauses If you own a business and are/or expect to suffer a significant loss of


revenue, we encourage you to check your business insurance policy for loss of income clauses and any recourse during a declared national or state of emergency.


Horse Care & Welfare - Available Resources


All members of the Maryland equestrian community should start thinking about how we can be prepared to help our fellow equestrians and their horses as the economic impact of the pandemic widens and is felt locally. If owners can no longer afford to care for their horses, the Maryland Horse Council, METS, and Te Equiery along with the Maryland Fund for Horses can help with suggestions and options, before horses become abandoned or go without hay or feed.


Essential Horse Buisnesses On behalf of the Governor, the Maryland Department of Agriculture


has released a statement clarifying essential business operations for the horse industry. We remind you that Governor Hogan requested at his press conference yesterday that “unless you have an essential reason to leave your house, you need to stay home.” Tis statement deems care of horses the sole essential activity of a horse


farm and allows self-care boarders to continue to provide care during this time. Te full statement is pasted below: Governor Larry Hogan ordered all non-essential businesses to close by 5 p.m.


March 23, 2020. While farms and the agriculture and food supply chains are considered essential, commercial and recreational riding centers and stables should prepare to suspend their operations to the public. Horse care, boarding fa- cilities and other operations that provide self-care boarding for privately-owned horses are considered essential and should continue operations while implement- ing safety measures that promote social distancing and other best practices. If you think your business should be considered essential, please see equiery.com for a link to the request form.


Small Business Relief Programs In order to help those businesses that are ordered to close, the Governor also announced new COVID-19 business relief programs and resources available through the Department of Commerce and the Department of Labor. As of March 23, the entire state of Maryland has received designation for federal Small Business Administration assistance, as well. Maryland has authorized $130 million in loan and grant funding for


small businesses and manufacturers that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19. Tese programs provide interim relief funds that can be used to pay cash operating expenses including payroll, suppliers, rent, fixed debt payments and other mission critical cash operating costs. For more information about all of these programs, please see equiery.com.


We are your source for all Maryland horse information and we are your


voice in Annapolis. Stay safe, be communicative on our social media pages, and keep us informed of any news in your communities! We will con- tinue to closely monitor the information regarding the Coronavirus (CO- VID-19) outbreak and relay relevant new information in a timely manner.


APRIL 2020 | THE EQUIERY | 7


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