Biosecurity on the Horse Farm
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Transcript of Biosecurity on the Horse Farm
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. Air2. Living animals of the same species3. Living animals of other species4. Dead or sick animals5. Feed6. Water7. Movement of contaminated personnel,
equipment and vehicles8. 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 key6. Limit human access to barns if they are
not clientele or workers7. Clean and disinfect barns, stalls and
equipment regularly8. 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.