Biosecurity on the Horse Farm INAG 120 – Equine Health Management December 7, 2011.
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Transcript of Biosecurity on the Horse Farm INAG 120 – Equine Health Management December 7, 2011.
Group Discussion
1. How do diseases spread?
2. What biosecurity/farm management practices would you put into place on your horse farm?
How Do Diseases Spread?
1. Air
2. Living animals of the same species
3. Living animals of other species
4. Dead or sick animals
5. Feed
6. Water
7. Movement of contaminated personnel, equipment and vehicles
8. Movement of effluent between properties
Control of Infectious Diseases
The plan for infection control entails two main components Avoid or minimize exposure Optimize resistance
Vaccination Optimize overall health care Areas to consider
Nutrition and training/exercise schedule Ventilation and airflow in stabling area Insect control
Deworming schedule
Equine Disease Control Program
1. Optimize health and nutrition plans for animals
2. Use rodent, parasite and vector control programs throughout the year
3. Do not allow horse access to streams and waterways
4. Contract with a veterinarian and clearly post their contact information
Equine Disease Control Program
5. Communication is key
6. Limit human access to barns if they are not clientele or workers
7. Clean and disinfect barns, stalls and equipment regularly
8. Discard all manure and bedding from stalls that house sick horses
Risk of Disease
Varies by type of horse population! Some horses predisposed to disease if
exposed: Foals, old horses Problems with digestive function Drug treatments
Situations can increase risk of exposure Comingling with other horses Exposure to insects
Controlling Infectious Diseases
Two main components:
1. Avoid or minimize exposure
2. Optimize resistance• Vaccination• Optimize overall health care• Other
What are your options?
Not as easy as ONLY vaccinating Risk aversion of the operation or horse
owner? All will come at some cost!
Options for managing risk posed by horse contact
Establish health requirements for visiting horses
Establish health requirements for new arrivals Horses returning after an event? Isolation/monitoring of new arrivals
Segregation by risk level Monitoring for illness + plan of action
Examples of Health Requirements
Certificate of veterinary inspection (health certificate) Timing of exam vs. arrival of horse?
Ask about past medical history Illness in this horse or others it has been around
Examine horse when it arrives Test for infection
Coggins test Others (i.e., screening for strangles)
Isolation of New Arrivals
Adequate facilities?
Adequate equipment?
Enough personnel?
All must be present to ensure good infection control!
Facilities
Separated from other horses for (ideally) a minimum of 3 weeks
How far apart? Distances diseases travel not established “35 feet” rule for neurological herpes virus?
Management Separate equipment Do new horses last
What if facilities or schedules don’t allow isolation?
Group horses according to use/exposure potential
Commingled horses are of equal status – exposure WILL happen between them
Visitors and employees?
Ask! Especially if there is a current disease outbreak in the area
Use good hygiene methods Have a plan in case of outbreak
Early detection is key
Determine cause of disease Allows you to develop a control plan
Isolate ill horse(s) at first sign of disease DO NOT MOVE EXPOSED HORSES
Until you have determined they don’t pose a risk to unexposed horses
Monitor exposed horses for illness
Facility Design
Think about infection control before you build Alleyways High traffic areas Treatment areas
(stocks, wash stall, etc.)
Ease of cleaning Can it be isolated?