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

How do we control disease?

Vaccinations Farm Management

Horse Lifestyles – Pasture Potatoes!

Breeding

Showing and trail-riding

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

Minimize transport stress and optimize ventilation and nutrition

Insect Control

Examples and Methods of Exposure

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

Where does the drain go?

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

Keep number of horses per group as small as possible

Minimize contact between groups

Communication with staff!

Make sure they know the rules!

Language barriers?

Signage

Spread of disease can happen easily!

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

Consider all means of disease transmission

Route of exposure? Can you control it?

Insects, rodents, other animals!

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?

Traffic patterns People, animals,

vehicles Farm personnel Veterinarians Farriers Visitors Horse owners (boarders)

Wheel barrows, trucks, trailers, tractors, 4-wheelers, etc.