Biosecurity at Horse Events
Many horse owners enjoy traveling with their horses to events like shows clinics and even trail rides with friends. However it is important to remember that any time your horse is in contact with horses from different barns it could potentially be exposed to new pathogens and diseases. Sometimes these illnesses can take weeks to appear after you have returned home. In the meantime your horse could be shedding germs and infecting other horses at your barn.
There are some steps you can take to minimize the chance of bringing home any unwanted germs. Broadly these steps are referred to as biosecurity. Here are some biosecurity tips you can use any time you bring your horse off the farm.
Do not share equipment for use with other peoples horses. Alternatively if you loan out any of your equipment keep it away from your horses until it is properly disinfected.
Do not use common water troughs. Bring your own water and feed buckets.
Do not dip the end of the hose into a water bucket when filling it. It could be
contaminated from other horses buckets.
Halters lead ropes and face grooming towels should be used on and restricted to one animal only.
Wash your hands or use a 62 ethyl alcohol hand gel before and after handling or riding other peoples horses.
Early disease detection is paramount especially contagious infectious diseases. Take horses temperatures twice daily morning and night during the event and for two weeks after return to the stable.
to the barn or training facility after an event.
Clean and disinfect horse trailers before theyre used by other horses.
Following these steps can drastically reduce the risk of bringing home an illness when you have traveled with your horse.
