Q: Can staff working at racing yards and stud farms still go to work?

Yes. The guidance stipulates that people can leave home to travel to and from work where the work is an essential service – farmers, farm labourers and others involved in animal production and related activities (including veterinary services) are considered essential services.

Note that strict adherence to social distancing and hygiene measures as published must be adhered to which include:

  • Remaining at least two metres apart.
  • Not touching your face.
  • Frequent handwashing.
  • Coughing/sneezing into your elbow.
  • Not coming to work if ill.
  • Isolating/going home immediately should you become unwell while at work.
  • Those over 70 years of age and those with underlying health conditions should shield or cocoon, as per the direction of An Taoiseach on Friday, March 27th.
  • Non-essential duties within the yard should be discontinued and only the minimal number of staff required should be brought in at any one time.

    • Q: Can racehorses continue to be exercised every day?

    Yes. Exercise is an essential element of thoroughbred horse care, particularly when horses are at a level of fitness. They can continue to be exercised, provided guidance on social distancing and hygiene is given, facilitated and strictly adhered to. Staff at yards MUST follow Government advice relating to social distancing and hygiene.

    Q: How can I adapt my routine?

    In the yard the following is recommended to prevent the congregation of staff in any one area:

  • Tack room should be one work rider in, one out, and only to collect tack.
  • One set of tack per rider, needs to be cleaned at end of each day.
  • If ‘board’ in use: send WhatsApp or similar picture to staff before they arrive for work so that they can go straight to their first horse.
  • Canteen only for food and drink preparation, only one person at a time, clean surfaces after use and leave.
  • Take breaks/lunch outside or in your car.
  • At all times maintain two metre distance from others.
  • Do not spend time together even in small groups.
  • Consider splitting teams to limit the effect of any cases.
  • Keep a clear diary of who is working where and when in the event contact tracing is needed.
  • Try to keep people in specific areas of the yard where they can work in relative isolation/in small groups, while maintaining two metre distancing.
  • Encourage a culture of support – make it clear that staff will be supported and that these measures are to protect both the individual and the team.
  • Make it easy to observe good hygiene practices – signage, plenty of soap and water, paper towels.
  • Mark out what two metres looks like on the ground.
  • Think about equipment that can spread the virus and limit its use by different people.
  • Put in place plenty of cleaning and disinfection equipment. Consider specific instructions to staff on when and how to use it.

    • Q: Will my main suppliers (eg: feed, bedding) remain open?

    The Government confirmed that: “retail sales of essential items for the health and welfare of animals, including animal feed and medicines, animal food, pet food and animal supplies including bedding” provide an “essential retail service”.

    Retailers are organising time slots for feed collection so check with your local supplier.

    Some restrictions or staffing/supply chain issues may apply in relation to individual businesses, so check directly with your suppliers. Any business encountering disruptions in supply should make their representative body (e.g. IRTA, ITBA) aware as soon as possible.

    Q: Will vets and farriers still be able to attend the yard?

    The Veterinary Council of Ireland recommended last Saturday that all veterinary practices confine their services to emergency treatment and care required in the interests of animal welfare “however, practices and habits must be sharply adapted to current circumstances”.

    Clarification was given: “an urgent or emergency matter is one giving rise to animal welfare concerns, requiring veterinary assistance.

    “Any urgent matter should be interpreted as presenting a significant risk to life or clear risk to welfare if not assessed. A potentially urgent matter should be interpreted as presenting a significant risk to life or clear risk to welfare if not assessed. A potentially urgent matter being one which could develop significant welfare compromise or become life threatening in the current period of restriction. Emergency or urgent matters, and those potentially urgent matters should receive veterinary assistance, as an essential service.”

    Please be conscious of these differences when contacting your veterinary surgeon – some veterinary practices may have additional restrictions in place, for example caused by staffing shortages.

    It is increasingly possible for vets to work with you remotely to assess whether a horse needs to be seen or not.

    Non-urgent matters might include investigation of poor performance, chronic lameness investigation, routine dental work.

    A potentially urgent matter might include an undiagnosed sudden onset lameness or early signs of respiratory disease.

    If a vet does need to attend, it is very important you keep them, and yourselves, safe. Physical distance must be strictly adhered at all times and the time of the visit and contact minimised. Care should be taken handling equipment which can transfer disease between you, such as lead reins and twitches. Be ready to let the vet hold the horse themselves if possible. Save all paperwork to be done remotely.

    Farriers, like vets, can continue to provide essential services to horses, using their judgement as to matters of priority and/or urgency, with strict observance of hygiene and social distancing.

    More information

    hri.ie

    ihrb.ie

    workinracing.ie

    hse.ie