EQUESTRIAN centres in the region face financial ruin if they fail to persuade their customers to come back to the fold.

But the foot-and-mouth situation is changing so rapidly that on Tuesday morning a North Yorkshire centre was urging its clients to return - and hours later a new case was confirmed a few miles away.

When he heard the news, manager Ian Brown of Northallerton Equestrian Centre at Yafforth told the D&S Times: "Well that's it. It looks like the end for us. I will have to talk to the owner and see what is going to happen now."

His wife, Vicky, said later: "It is not foot-and-mouth which has defeated us, it is the fact that we know people will not come now. But Maff says horses do not transmit the virus any more than people.

"Unless they have contact with infected livestock at the beginning or the end of the journey, there is no reason why shows can't go ahead."

Yafforth has a riding school and livery business, but it is the shows which bring in 70pc of their income.

Prior to the outbreak at Danby Wiske, Mr Brown said: "Basically no-one is coming to riding centres any more. It is the same at Stainsby Grange and Richmond. We are obviously very worried."

The couple took over the management of the centre in January and have invested in a new outdoor arena. They are also creating a new cross country course on their property.

"We are spending all this money and people, through no fault of our own, are staying away. We need to get public confidence back."

Mr Nick Marlow took over Richmond Equestrian Centre at Breckonbrough Farm, Brough Park, about a year ago, knowing nothing about the business at that point.

"We have spent an absolute fortune over the last year building up its reputation and we had the best month so far in January, when we actually covered our costs for the first time. Suddenly that has been taken away."

He said the riding school and a livery business was just keeping their heads above water.

"We took a conscious decision not to hold any events, although centres elsewhere have kept going. The farmers here have been wonderful to us and we don't want to do anything to jeopardise that relationship."

"What we really need is some clear cut advice - a clear lead on what we can and can't do from our equestrian bodies and the government."

Over at Stainsby Grange, at Thornaby, Mr Peter Allen had gone on holiday while events are cancelled, but the livery business and the riding school are open.

A spokesman said it was hoped to be able to start its series of shows on Mr Allen's return on Wednesday, April 11.

This week the British Horse Society was urging organisations to keep activities going, provided they observe a carefully managed hygiene programme.

It points out: "It is perfectly okay to go riding at a riding school. Most have arenas and indoor schools where you can learn to ride safely and without posing any risks as far as foot-and-mouth is concerned."

Hacking out is still possible in non-affected counties where riding establishments have their own land.

It is also possible to ride on roads, where horses with disinfected feet are less of a hazard then most cars.

In non-infected areas, there is nothing to prevent people going to and from a yard or stables. This means visits from pupils, students, farriers, feed merchants and instructors can all go ahead as usual.

"Yards are taking precautions to disinfect those coming and going, just in case there is anyone coming in from a possibly infected area," said a spokesman.

Any event going ahead should take these essential precautions. -

l Provide a combined entrance or exit and ensure all vehicles travel over disinfectant soaked straw or a suitable alternative.

l Only horses and pedestrians should be allowed - no dogs or other animals.

l Horses should be led over the disinfected area after unloading and prior to leaving.

l All pedestrians should clean and disinfect footwear on arrival and departure.

What you can't do.-

l Ride on rights of way closed by the local authority. There is a £5,000 fine for infringement.

l Ride on farmland used for grazing by susceptible livestock.

l Hold events in infected areas or on land that has been grazed by susceptible livestock.

The Animal Health Trust has set up a helpline for queries on access on 01638 751000, ext 1211.