EQUESTRIANS living in a zone around Leicester and some adjoining suburbs have been put under ‘local lockdown’ restrictions by the British government.

Non-essential shops are closed and residents are being asked to make essential journeys only.

Equestrians living in the zone have been told to stay home and only made essential journeys to provide care and exercises for horses.

Exercising horses outdoors can take place with up to five other people provided that strict social distancing is followed.

British Equestrian has advised those within the zone to only travel horses for welfare visits to farriers or veterinary surgeons.

Equestrian centres and riding schools within the zone are allowed stay open for the time being.

People in the area have been told to expect a review after two weeks but also warned that further restrictions could be imposed within this timeframe.

In Scotland, the five-mile travel restrictions have been widely lifted this weekend albeit with some pocket exceptions. Coaches and trainers have been told not to exceed a maximum of instruction to two households per day.

Restrictions are being lifted in Wales early next week while in Northern Ireland, social distancing was relaxed to one metre on June 29th.

Indoor use

British Equestrian confirmed that the use of indoor arenas had been given the green light this weekend in England from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

Riding/driving in covered arenas from June 29th in Scotland was approved while the the use of indoor facilities in Northern Ireland has been permitted since June 23rd.