You are meticulous in your equine endeavors, diligently taking care of your horse’s every nutritional, veterinary and physical need; keeping the stabling tidy and hygienic; making sure the tack is clean and safe.
White and dappled gray horses in corral at riding stable
Biosecurity is the compilation of management protocols that limit the transmission and spread of disease-causing pathogens such bacteria, viruses or fungal infections.
© 2010 by John Clark New window.
Yet there is one factor that often gets overlooked. We are accustomed to thinking of our horses as herd animals—which they are, of course. Because of that, we think nothing of introducing new individuals into the herd immediately and without concern.
However, just as people can carry or incubate disease and pass it on to unsuspecting persons at a meeting, in the supermarket, or on an airplane, horses can do the same to other equids on the farm or while away at events.
The strategy to minimize this transmission risk is termed “biosecurity.” It is the compilation of management protocols that limit the transmission and spread of contageous or infectious disease-causing pathogens such bacteria, viruses or fungal infections on your farm and on the road.
Recent, serious outbreaks of highly infectious and potentially fatal equine neurologic herpesvirus (equine herpesvirus myeloencephalitis, or EHM) continue to pop up throughout the country. Because of that, biosecurity is to be taken seriously.
Any time horses congregate, they are subject to exposure to any number of infectious diseases. Other contagious concerns include strangles (Streptococcus equi), equine influenza, respiratory problems from equine rhinopneumonitis, vesicular stomatitis and salmonella, to name a few.
There are effective equine vaccines against two viral respiratory diseases— equine rhinopneumonitis and influenza. Vaccination is one method of helping to contain the spread of those diseases.
In fact, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) requires documentation of immunization against influenza and rhinopneumonitis twice annually in order to attend USEF events. The Federation Equestrian International (FEI) requires documented annual influenza vaccination.
Besides vaccinations, there are many other methods to maximize biosecurity and to keep your horses as safe and as healthy as possible.
For horses traveling to and from the farm to clinics, shows and events, biosecurity practices are particularly important. In a perfect world, all horse event managers would require entry only if every horse has a current certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) and a negative Coggins test, as well as appropriate immunizations against equine influenza and rhinopneumonitis.
While these tests and procedures don’t guarantee that a horse isn’t incubating a disease at the time of entry, this protocol can go a long way toward minimizing exposure of all horses at a venue by keeping out those that could have a problem.
The thing to keep foremost in mind is that there should be no nose-to-nose contact between your horses and horses from different farms. This concept also applies to touching or handling other people’s horses—just don’t. Put up signs at your stabling asking that no stranger touch or feed your horses.
In fact, if your horse is going to be stabled in a stall that has been used by others, cleaning and disinfection of walls, water vessels and other smooth surfaces can go a long way toward ridding secretions and contaminants from your horse’s environment.
Remove residual feed from the stall and rake everything from the floor. Scrub surfaces to remove as much organic debris as possible using detergents (for example, liquid Tide) that break down organic material.
Don’t pressure wash, as this tends to aerosolize bacteria with the possibility of moving it into areas that you can’t see or reach, such as the rafters and ceiling. As much as 90% of bacteria can be eliminated from concrete surfaces with appropriate cleaning techniques. Allow sufficient drying time before the next steps; otherwise, pathogens might remain on surfaces.
Apply a disinfectant labeled for use against viruses and bacteria by following the manufacturer’s directions. This targets the remaining 6-7% of microbes. Virkon-S is highly acclaimed as a disinfectant against many viruses and bacteria, while accelerated hydrogen peroxide products (Virox) are the gold standard. These contain surfactants, wetting agents and chelating agents, all of which facilitate penetration.
Virox is fairly broad spectrum and tends to work better than other products within the presence of light debris and on rougher surfaces while not being corrosive. Contact time should be at least one to five minutes. A list and an explanation of effective disinfectants can be found at the Center for Food Safety & Public Health (cfsph.iastate.edu/Disinfection).
Only use feed and watering containers that you have brought for your horse, and be careful that hoses used to fill watering vessels haven’t been contaminated in other horses’ water sources. Refrain from filling your horse’s water buckets from tanks commonly used by other horses.
When you dispose of your horse’s water, avoid emptying buckets where drainage might impact other horses; watering sources contain nasal secretions, saliva and other potentially communicable material. As you walk your horse around a property, don’t let him snuffle through leftover piles of hay or spilled grain, as these have likely been exposed to other horses’ mouths.
For a daylong event, it is often best to simply tie your horse to your trailer to avoid interaction and contact with other horses or stabling where other horses have been.
Don’t share tack, blankets or grooming equipment with anyone else. When warming up your horse in a common exercise area, avoid direct contact between horses and don’t tie your horse to a post or any other tie supports that might have had other horses’ noses or mouths contacting it.
Lest we forget other potential infectious disease vectors at public events besides horse, water, human and equipment, keep your dog in check rather than letting it roam. It doesn’t hurt to ask management to advise that all dogs be restrained appropriately at a public equine event.
Press release by USRider - Author: