Given the more carefree days of approaching summer, paying attention to health risks that might affect your horse's well-being takes on new meaning especially in a time of disease outbreaks.
With the arrival of warmer weather and more people coming and going during the vacation months, keeping the barn, corrals and arenas clean and free of hazardous materials is important. All tack should be well maintained and biosecurity measures be in place to make sure horses and people are not exposed to unnecessary risks of any kind.
A clean, well-organized barn, well maintained tack, and following biosecurity procedures will minimize risk and maintain a healthy environment for horses and people.
To insure the health of horses, do a once-over at least once a day and look for any signs that a horse is ill or injured. In addition, adhere strictly to rules that help maintain a healthy environment including the following:
- Isolate horses arriving from other locations for 3-4 weeks before introducing them into the resident horse population.
- Watch for clinical signs of infection, including nasal discharge, incoordination, hind-end weakness, recumbency, lethargy, urine dribbling and diminished tail tone.
- Isolate a horse as soon as it is symptomatic or is recognized as a potential disease carrier.
- In the case of an outbreak, disinfect all stable equipment, barn stalls, aisles and other surfaces.
- After caring for infected horses, wash hands, dip shoes in a disinfecting foot bath, and change clothes before working with healthy horses.