Status: 04/24/2021 1:33 p.m.
There are around 100,000 horses in Schleswig-Holstein. Some are kept private, others live in riding schools. Due to the corona pandemic, there is currently a lack of income, but the costs continue to run.
Almut Willmes from the “Equi Fitness” riding school in Großensee (Stormarn district) brings her horses outside to the pasture every day. Because the 26 riding school horses need exercise and variety, even if since the corona pandemic hardly any riding students have come and they no longer have any income.
Animals need exercise
“Sending ponies on short-time doesn’t work,” says Willmes. Your animals could not stand in the corner for months, they needed exercise, that is also anchored in the Animal Welfare Act. There is hay twice a day, the boxes have to be mucked out every day, the farrier and vet come regularly and have to be paid. “This results in a 70 or 80-hour week for me. There is always something to do. It is a stressful time, we are all on our gums,” she reports. Since the corona pandemic, Almut Willmes has been working seven days a week to keep her riding school running. Her three employees support her with her work – and they still have to be paid. “Everything goes on, but the income is missing. Without private support from the family we would not get it,” says Willmes. She said she was missing well over 10,000 euros.
Schools hand in horses
This is the case with many riding schools in the country. According to the Schleswig-Holstein Equestrian Association, every third riding school has to struggle with serious difficulties due to the corona pandemic. Almut Willmes tells of riding schools that horses have to give up or close.
Riding lessons outside are currently allowed. Almut Willmes can’t make up for her red numbers. She has credited riding lessons that had to be canceled during the lockdown. She estimates that it will take her all year to break these hours.
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