Can I catch diseases from my horse?
When your horse is ill, you may be so concerned about trying to get them better that you don’t think about your own health. However, there are a number of diseases that can be spread from horses to humans. These are known as zoonotic diseases and they can be quite dangerous for human health.
Ringworm
Ringworm is a fungal disease that causes lesions on the skin. It is very contagious, being spread easily through direct contact or by contaminated equipment. In humans, the lesions usually look like red rings. But in horses, they often appear as round, dry, crusty patches with hair loss.
The spores of the fungus can survive in the environment for several months, with the incubation period being between one and three weeks. The disease is generally self-limiting, meaning that it goes away on its own after a few months. However, anti-fungal treatment can be used to speed up the healing process. To prevent the spread of ringworm, hands should always be washed after touching animals, all equipment should be cleaned and disinfected regularly and any new or affected horses should be isolated from others.
Salmonella
Salmonella is a common cause of diarrhoea in the UK, with the bacteria being found in the intestines of many wild and domestic animals. It can produce severe diarrhoea and colic signs in horses. Although it is usually self-limiting, supportive care with intravenous fluids may be required. To prevent the spread of salmonella, always wash your hands before eating and make sure stables and food and water buckets are disinfected between horses.
Streptococcus zooepidemicus
Streptococcus zooepidemicus
