The extension service of Utah State University has adopted reasonable biosecurity practices for all 4-H horse shows and camps. With their attention to detail, these same practices could aid many other horse owners protect their horses wherever horses come together at events.
Best practice biosecurity measures to protect horses
Several factors increase the risk of horses on the road including stress to the animal, sharing of tack, and the unintended introduction of horses carrying disease.
The biosecurity measures outlined below are reasonable practices to adopt and implement in an effort to minimize contagious diseases often spread when horses co-mingle at events.
Although these guidelines were written with 4-H camps and horse shows in mind, they are applicable to all events where horses come from various areas.
Several factors increase the risk of horses on the road including stress to the animal, sharing of tack, and the unintended introduction of horses carrying disease.
While there are a number of serious contagious diseases that could be identified as an example for why these measures should be implemented, most contagious diseases have similar biosecurity precautions and in essence these measures actively work to reduce the spread of many contagious diseases.
Best practice biosecurity measures to protect horses:
1. Obtain rectal temperatures on horses at arrival to every show/camp.
a. As trailers enter fairgrounds, there should be several lines where horses will have temperatures taken.
b. 4-H families will be responsible for doing the temperature on their own horses prior to horses being allowed into the show/camp. You must supply your own thermometer for your horses. This is to minimize possible spread of illness from horse to horse. Digital or glass thermometers are acceptable, but it is recommended that you use the same thermometer on the same horse each time to see established normal range.
c. 4-H representative will verify the reading you take and record the temperature for each horse.
d. Any horse with a temp of 102° Fahrenheit OR HIGHER will not be allowed into the show/camp area, and the horse and trailer will need to return home.
e. Any horse in the trailer with a horse with a temp of 102° Fahrenheit OR HIGHER will not be allowed into the show/camp area, and the horses and trailer will need to return home.
2. If a 4-H participant cannot show due to a horse with a fever, or exposure in the trailer to a horse with a fever, the 4-H participant has the option to use the average of their other shows for the missed show score. To do this, they will still need to pay for the show and take the test portion.
3. If a horse has been boarded at/lives at the same facility as any horse that arrived by trailer with a fever, even if the horse did not arrive in the same trailer, the horse will need to return home. The 4-H participant has the option to use the average of their other shows for the missed show score. To do this, they will still need to pay for the show and take the test portion.
4. If a horse has a fever, it is the recommendation of the Utah State Veterinarian’s Office that the horse be examined and cleared by a veterinarian prior to being taken to another event.
5. All horses will need to be tied to their own trailer, no common tie area.
6. When waiting in line, horses should be positioned head to tail, to prevent noses from touching.
7. No sharing of tack or grooming equipment.
8. No sharing of watering buckets. Do not leave a common hose in water buckets.
9. Do not pet other horses, especially around head/nose.
10. All horses must have their temperatures taken twice a day for the three days prior to any 4-H show/camp. (For example: for a Saturday show – take temps Wed, Thurs, and Fri). Any horse with a temperature of 102° Fahrenheit or HIGHER should not be taken to the 4-H event. The 4-H participant has the option to use the average of their other shows for the missed show score. To do this, they will still need to pay for the show, take the test portion, and be present to help at the show if they want to use their score average.
11. Vaccinations are recommended, but not required. Try not to booster the vaccinations in the last few days prior to a show/camp, as this may cause an increase in temperature.
Note: Taking rectal temperatures on any animal poses an inherent risk for injury. Use caution in taking temperatures. Careful training of the animal can minimize this risk.