Updated 14 April 2021
Wales moved countrywide to level four, the highest level of restrictions, on 20 December, however on 27 March travel restrictions were lifted and country-wide travel is permitted. On this page, we've tried to compile some of the key stakeholder questions to help you understand what the current situation means for you and your horse.
Yes, you may travel to visit your horse for welfare reasons, but you should avoid unnecessary journeys where possible.
Horses may be ridden for exercise and the advice is for it to ‘start and end at home’. Exercise should be carried out alone or with members of you household or support bubble. Hacking is also permitted, although you should avoid crossing the border into England.
Training venues are permitted to hire outdoor facilities, provided that meeting numbers and travel restrictions are adhered to. Indoor sports facilities are able to reopen from 3 May for competitions, sole use and one-to-one coaching.
You may meet outdoors with up to five other people from a total of two households, including your own. However, children under the age of 11 don't count towards this total. From 26 April, outdoor sporting activity can take place in groups of up to 30 adults. From 17 May, groups of up to 15 may meet indoors for the purpose of exercise classes.
Farriers, vets, dentists, physiotherapists and other equine practitioners can continue to operate, provided that they have COVID protocols and risk assessments in place to maintain safe working conditions.
Coaches are permitted to travel for sessions with clients – these must be within the six people or two households requirement, with the coach counting as one household. Clients may travel and hire facilities at a training venue as part of their coaching session. Coaches should also check with their insurance provider before undertaking any activities.
You should contact your licencing authority/insurance provider for further guidance.
It is anticipated that competitions will be able to restart from 26 April, but this is dependant on the number of COVID-19 cases continuing to fall.
Sport Wales, the governing body for sport in Wales, has produced sector-specific COVID-19 guidance, which is available here.