Feature Responsible Horse Care


Practical steps everyone can take to help reduce the risk of disease and improve responsible horse management


to take so that they can do everything they sensibly can to reduce the risk of disease transmission.


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BEVA, a world leading equine veterinary association, has produced the checklist (below) to ensure responsible horse management.


There are many diseases that can be spread by air, direct and indirect contact, and a few of the more common ones are listed below. If you have any concerns you should always contact your vet straight away.


Strangles - Highly contagious bacterial infection affecting the respiratory system. Spread by direct and indirect contact.


Equine Influenza - Spread by air, direct and indirect contact.


Equine Herpes Virus - A virus transmitted through the air.


Ringworm - Contagious fungal disease transmitted through direct or indirect contact. Can spread to humans and other animals.


ollowing the outbreak of equine flu, many horse owners have started to review the practical steps they need


Lorna George is a dressage trainer and UK Sales Manager for NAF UK. She spends her days out and about visiting clients and offers this common sense advice on what to consider if you visit other yards.


“Whilst this flu outbreak raises specific questions, bio-security precautions should be taken whenever visiting yards.


1. Before going to the yard, call and check its health status and ensure that there are no horses coughing or with snotty noses.


2. Avoid or postpone visits to yards where there are signs of illness.


3. Sensible bio-security measures should be taken as a precaution if visiting yards, such as washing hands thoroughly with anti-viral wash or wipes following contact or close proximity with a horse.


4. Any kit that has touched or been in proximity with horses should also be wiped.


5. The same applies to clothing where there is evidence of dirt, spit or nasal discharges on them, either through changing outer layers, wiping down with wipes or wearing disposable covers/overalls.


The BEF recommend three simple and inexpensive steps for reducing risk


1. Take your horse’s temperature regularly and know what is normal. Any raise in temperature means extra care needs to be taken and if the temperature goes above 38.5 degrees Celcius ring your veterinary surgeon immediately.


2. Make sure all horses that are introduced to your yard are kept away from other horses for a period of time (ideally in isolation facilities for three weeks). This may be varied in line with consultation with your local vet.


3. Make sure your horses are vaccinated every year against equine influenza '(flu). Vaccinations are effective in managing 'flu' whatever you may hear. The more people that vaccinate their horses, the less likely it will be that we will all be affected by disease. This applies even if your horses don't go anywhere.


Next month We consider responsible horse care issues you might not have considered ARRIVALS 1


 ORIGIN AND STATUS - risk assess the horse even before arrival, depending where it is from (the passport may help here), e.g. is it from abroad (including the Republic of Ireland) and if so, how long ago? Also what is it’s worming or vaccination history?


 PREPARE - clean/disinfect* box, isolation area, equipment and storage; review documents (livery agreements, information from new owners on vaccination/ worming etc.)


 GENERAL HEALTH CHECK - on arrival: behaving normally; good appetite; no cuts, wounds or swellings; moving normally and sound


 RISK - based on above, use to determine whether to: • Test, e.g. worm egg count, blood test for Strangles, EIA (come from abroad), tapeworms, piroplasmosis, other?


• Isolate, minimum period two weeks (also see column 4)


 INTEGRATE after isolation period, gradually and carefully, to avoid social stress and injury


*Government approved general purpose disinfectant


A CHECKLIST FOR EQUINE HEALTH 2


This guide should be used to ensure responsible horse management. Seek advice from a suitable person/vet or professional body. GENERAL


 GENERAL HEALTH CHECK - (see column 1) - minimum twice daily if stabled, once daily if at grass


 NUTRITION • Water available at all times • Feed, forage and graze according to type, work, weight and season


• Establish a routine • Record weight regularly • Seek advice from nutritionist or vet (feed manufacturers/ merchant)


• Beware overweight as well as underweight; all horses have a laminitis risk


 EQUIPMENT SHARE - try to avoid, especially tack, headcollars, brushes, rugs, mucking out kit. Never share syringes or needles between horses


 MUCK CONTROL - poo-pick regularly; site muckheap away from horses; arrange regular muckheap disposal


 HEAT CONTROL - depending on the season, weather or work level. Wash down after exercise; clip and rug as appropriate


 BREEDING - risk-based pre- breeding testing for disease (e.g. CEM, EVA) essential for natural covering and AI. Also, correct certification/identification/ record keeping. Follow industry codes, e.g. HBLB Code. Use vet or qualified technicians


HEALTH 3


 WHICH VET - all horses should be registered with a practice and contact number displayed. Yard manager should appoint a ‘yard vet’ for coordinating disease, health and general advice


 CONSULT if ill, injured, lame, swelling, discharge, off food or water, or concerned in any way


 VACCINATION - Tetanus is very important; Influenza, and maybe EHV, are important in livery yards and animals mixing at shows; Strangles vaccination requires risk assessment and planning with your yard vet; EHV and Rotavirus in studs; EVA in some stallions


 PARASITE CONTROL - worm egg counts and strategic worming programme. External parasite control – flies, lice, mange, ticks. Consider mosquito/midge breeding sites especially standing water. Sweet Itch control essential


 FINANCES - charities can help with advice and solutions, but not vets fees. Consider appropriate insurance


DISEASE 4


 DISEASE RISK is constant and increasing from both endemic disease (eg. Strangles) and exotic disease (eg. EIA). Be vigilant especially in recently imported animals. Seek advice from your vet


 SUSPECT - always isolate if illness suspected or a horse has been off the premises at a risky event (eg. been in contact with sick horse at a show)


 ISOLATE • Stable and graze away from other horses eg. own paddock (preferably without ability to “nose-touch” over fence, ideally 10 metres separation). Any in contact companions should be separated and monitored too


• Barrier management - wash hands; dedicated over-clothes; disinfectant* boot dip; schedule handling after contact with other horses; no sharing of equipment/utensils


• How long - risk dependent, seek veterinary advice


 EUTHANASIA - old, sick or injured animals may require euthanasia which should not be avoided but must be done humanely by a vet or a licensed slaughterman. Disposal of the body can be costly, so plan for this eventuality


TRANSPORT 5


 SAFETY - ensure horsebox/trailer is suitable and is well maintained, including flooring and partitions. Be aware of the Emergency Services Protocol (BEVA and Fire and Rescue Service)


 REQUIREMENTS - valid (equine) passport; Horseboxes will have to be roadworthy (i.e. MOT inspected) and drivers will need to have (a) the appropriate driving licence and (b) if driving as part of an economic activity etc they will need a Certificate of Competence


 PREPARE - muck out, clean and disinfect* vehicle after each journey or before journey if vehicle unused for some time. Train all horses to load/travel as they may need to be transported in an emergency (eg. to the vets)


 TRAVEL • Separate from other animals for safety


• Risk Assess - long journeys can bring out disease and increase risk of catching disease


• Water and Feed/Forage should be taken on any journey in case of breakdown or heavy traffic


• Record overnight stays away from yard of one night or more (eg. in yard diary)


BIOSECURITY - the steps we take to prevent the spread of disease. Produced for the equine sector in conjunction with government.


www.beva.org.uk In association with


Reproduced by kind permission of BEVA


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