Biosecurity Risk Calculator

Keep in mind that the greater the number of horses on a given property, the greater the risk of disease transmission within the group if they are susceptible to a disease agent. Generally operations with more horses have more horse movement, which could result in disease introduction.

With frequent induction of new horses or when horses visit the operation, there is a risk of contagious disease introduction. Personnel that move on and off a facility and have contact with other horse populations can increase the possibility that a contagious disease may be brought onto the premises, unless precautions are taken to reduce this risk.

Horses that frequently go to competitions away from their home base, and come in contact with a large number of other horses.They are more likely to be exposed to contagious disease agents. Precautions taken while horses are away from their home facility and upon their return can reduce the risk they pose.

Turning horses out into pens or pastures with different groups frequently increases the number of different animals with which any one horse has contact, and therefore increases the risk of disease transmission between horses if one of these horses is carrying an infectious pathogen.

Even if horses do not share the same pen or enclosure, it is still possible for them to spread disease among one another if they are able to touch noses across a fence or if they share a water source. Nasal secretions are a good way to spread some diseases, especially respiratory diseases.

It is best if horses are kept in specific groups when they are commingled and that the number of horses per group be kept small for example 5 to 10 horses per group. Then, if one horse has an inapparent disease. Once clinical signs appear, it would be simpler to determine exactly which horses the affected horse had come into contact with. Thus limiting spread of the disease to horses outside of this smaller group. A larger risk for infectious disease introduction comes from horses that often travel to equine events. It would be best if traveling horses could be kept separate. From the other resident horses such as broodmares and foals or other horses that do not attend events.

Some surfaces are very difficult to clean and disinfect. Bacteria and other pathogenic agents “hide” in these surfaces. In such as dirt flooring it can be for long periods of time. It will act as a potential source of infection for susceptible horses. Dirt floors cannot be completely cleaned. If the soil becomes contaminated the dirt must be removed and replaced to remove the risk of disease exposure. Nonporous surfaces are ideal as they can be washed and disinfected between horses using the stall, or if a disease outbreak occurs.

As with flooring, stall wall surfaces that are difficult to clean and disinfect can harbor infectious pathogens. Porous materials such as untreated wood and unsealed concrete are very difficult to clean completely. Sealing the surface can make thorough cleaning easier and more effective.

The more often a horse travels from its home base, the more likely it is to encounter (and bring back) a disease/pathogen. Horses traveling to a facility (event or sale) with no health requirements have a greater risk of coming into contact with sick horses or horses shedding disease pathogens. There is less risk if the horses encountered are healthy and up to date on recommended vaccinations.

Similar to the previous question, it would be helpful to know the health status of any outside horses. This includes at a show, race, sale or other equine event .To minimize the risk of bringing an infectious agent back to the home facility, taking precautions can reduce the risk of disease introduction. Recommended precautions include hand washing after handling horses, not sharing equipment between horses, using your own buckets and feed tubs. For horse events to generate mandatory health requirements for participants. And check that these requirements are met prior to entry of participating horses.

Has a horse from your facility comes into contact with horses that are unvaccinated. Have a history of recent contagious disease or are of unknown health status. If yes, your horse is more likely to get exposed to a disease agent. They will bring back an infection to the home facility. Disease can then occur not only in the horse that traveled, but in other horses at the home facility as well.

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New and visiting horses to the home or resident equine facility can pose a risk for disease introduction. Having requirements for certification of health status of new and visiting horses can reduce this risk. Knowing the health status of a horse’s facility of origin, and if visiting horses have been vaccinated and tested for diseases as recommended by their veterinarian. Plus the dates such procedures were conducted, can be helpful. The larger the number of horses that enter the facility, the greater the chance of possible disease introduction.

Horses from public sales are often stressed, and may have had contact with large numbers of other horses from various backgrounds. Even if the horses look healthy while at a sale, these animals are much more likely to carry a disease back to the barn. Rather then horses from a private seller where the health and vaccination status can be determined. And the horse moves directly from their old home to their new home. It is helpful to ask about previous disease occurrence, and whether the horse has been vaccinated and dewormed. Taking precautions to keep newly arrived horses isolated. Monitoring them for disease is an important control point in reducing the risk of disease introduction. Especially for horses purchased from a crowded public sale environment.

Someone knowledgeable of the signs of contagious disease should examine all new horses on arrival. If signs of disease are present the horse should not be unloaded unless there is a plan to prevent disease transmission. New arrivals should be kept separate from the home herd for 2-3 weeks after arrival to decrease the risk that they pose. Because they may not yet be showing clinical signs of disease it is important that their health be assessed not on arrival. Also over several weeks time while isolated from the resident horse population. It is optimal that horses be tested for disease before their arrival onto your facility. They may need to be tested on arrival if they are showing signs of disease, or if prior testing was not done. Keeping a horse in the same barn, pen or pasture as the home herd upon arrival can still lead to disease transmission. This can be by indirect contact with other horses through movement of people and equipment between horses. Also shared airspace in the barn or shared feed or water sources depending of the disease agent.

Requiring a certificate of examination by a veterinarian prior to arrival. Also have your veterinarian perform an exam on arrival. Plus asking for a past medical history are the two most important things you can do when receiving a new horse onto a facility. Also of benefit are having requirements for newly arriving horses. Regarding vaccination and parasite control recommended by your veterinarian. Plus testing new horses for possible infectious diseases as recommended by your veterinarian.

Fever is often the first sign of infection. Signs such as diarrhea, cough or nasal discharge may follow. It is prudent to look for these signs. Monitoring the horse’s temperature as well may allow any disease to be detected promptly. The normal temperature of horses can vary. Generally any temperature over 101.5F in adult horses and over 102F in foals is considered above normal.

Vaccination recommendations vary by region, so it is important for facilities to discuss with a veterinarian which vaccines are needed for horses in your geographic area. Core vaccines for North America include Rabies, Tetanus, West Nile, and Eastern and Western encephalitis. Your horses may travel outside their home region as well, so it is necessary to know vaccination recommended for any areas your horse will be visiting. More information on vaccines for horses in continental North America can be found in the American Association of Equine Practitioners vaccination guidelines.

Although general guidelines exist, it is best to consult with your veterinarian in order to tailor the vaccination program to the special needs of your horses. Veterinarians have extensive training in selection of vaccines. Obtaining vaccines from your veterinarian ensures that the product your horse is given has been properly stored, transported. Also that you will be provided with information about the potential for adverse reactions. And the likely benefits of the vaccine to be used.

Vaccination programs must be tailored to the individual animal. Also the population of horses on the facility and the risk tolerance of the facility owner/manager. It is important to consider the likelihood of exposure of horses to the disease (both on and off the home base). Plus the severity of the disease should it occur. The efficacy of the vaccine. The safety of the vaccine. The cost of the vaccine and requirements by various equine events. For example, rabies and tetanus are both highly fatal diseases in horses. They can be prevented by vaccination. The vaccines are safe, very effective and relatively inexpensive. Vaccination against these diseases is recommended for essentially every horse in North America. There are also quite a few vaccines that, while not considered core. They can be very beneficial for your horses (e.g. respiratory vaccines like flu). Use should be discussed with your veterinarian. More information on vaccines can be found in the American Association of Equine Practitioners vaccination guidelines.

Written records make it easy to quickly determine current status and past history, such as when a horse needs a vaccine booster. It also allows personnel on the operation other than the owner/manager to have accurate information regarding the horses’ vaccination, deworming and medical history if the owner/manager is away and there is a need to have the horse examined for a problem.

A new needle and syringe should always be used, as it is very easy to transmit blood-borne disease agents between horses if needles or syringes are reused.

To insure the safety of people and animals, sharps such as needles should always be disposed of in an official sharps container, or heavy-duty plastic bottle. If sharps were placed in a bag or left in a stall, they could cause harm to both animals and people.

Intestinal parasites are best managed at the farm level. This would include a comprehensive plan for both deworming and manure handling. Since parasites can be spread when horses are out at pasture or kept in shared paddocks. A plan for all the horses on the facility should be developed. If parasite infections have occurred on your facility, it is important to remove manure from stalls and pastures. Do not spread manure on horse pastures. Resistance to dewormers is becoming a problem. Work closely with your veterinarian to determine an optimal parasite control program. It is recommended that animals be screened routinely by fecal tests to ensure that the deworming program is effective.

People, the equipment they use, and vehicles have the potential for transporting pathogenic agents to your horses. The more people that visit a facility, the greater the risk of disease introduction. Especially if these people are not taking precautions to reduce the risk of disease introduction.

Requiring that visitors check in when they arrive at your horse facility ensures that you will have no unwanted traffic coming onto your facility, that people follow your disease control plan, and gives you the ability to check back in the visitor logs in case an outbreak of disease should occur on the horse facility.

Insects of various types can spread disease agents. Use products to control insects on your horses and around your facility. Frequent removal of manure and control of weeds and brush are important things you can do to control insects on your facility. Certain diseases such as West Nile Virus cannot spread from horse to horse. Instead horses are infected by mosquito bites. In addition, insects can cause your horses to be uncomfortable leading to stress that can make them more susceptible to disease in general.

Rodents and other animals that are attracted to horse feed can carry pathogens that may contaminate feed, and result in transmission of disease agents to horses that consume the feed.

When a horse on your facility becomes sick, be sure your staff know to notify you immediately. Promptly contact your veterinarian to get advice on how to reduce the risk of disease spread. Seek their assistance in determining the cause of disease. To reduce the risk of spread of contagious disease only contact the isolated sick horse after you tend to all the healthy horses first. Leave the feeding and other care of the sick horse until last. This is so as to not spread disease. Better yet have a person dedicated solely to the care of the sick horse. After working with the sick horse, make sure you properly clean or disinfect your hands, footwear, and clothes. Keep a designated set of food and water containers that are only used with the sick horse. Do not share any equipment between the sick and healthy horses. More information on biosecurity guidelines can be found in the American Association of Equine Practitioners Biosecurity Instructions.

Functional and available sinks are an important part of hand sanitization. It is especially important for people to clean their hands between groups of horses, or after contact with a sick horse. Hands should be washed with soap and warm water, or an alcohol sanitizer should be used if sinks are not available. Liquid soap is preferred. Bar soaps can actually harbor some pathogens. Particularly if they become soiled with organic debris. Which is likely to happen in a barn environment. The soap bar itself can then act as a means of indirect transmission of pathogens from one person’s hands to another’s. Hand drying is an important part of the hand washing processes, and should not be neglected. Re-use of cloth towels by more than one person can act as a means of indirect transmission of pathogens from one person to another. It is ideal if disposable paper towels are used.

Pathogens can be transmitted indirectly from one horse to another through equipment like shared tack and grooming equipment (rub rags and brushes), as well as equipment used for mucking stalls.

Water buckets can also be a means of indirect transmission of pathogens between horses, just like blankets and brushes. A common water trough (shared by horses) represents the same kind of risk. The more different horses use the same source of water, the greater the risk of disease transmission. Each horse should have their own designated water bucket, that is not used with any other horse. When water buckets are filled, the hose should not touch the bucket, as this could be a way of spreading disease. Horses that are kept in distinct groups for turn out etc. should each have their own water source and not have a shared water source between groups. More information on biosecurity guidelines can be found in the American Association of Equine Practitioners Biosecurity Instructions.

Manure should be removed from horse areas in order to decrease the risk of transmission and infection of pathogenic agents. It is best to haul manure off the property if possible to eliminate risk for pathogen transmission, but if removal from the premises is not an option then manure could be composted to reduce pathogens. Composting should occur on sites other than where horses graze, and if done correctly, composting can reduce fly breeding sites as well as kill parasites and pathogenic agents found in manure. More information on composting can be found in the Washington State University Guide to Composting Horse Manure.

Written protocols are the best way to ensure that everyone who has contact with horses is aware of the required procedures, and these protocols provide a reference in case anyone forgets or is unsure of what is expected. Protocols also allow you to know what is being done for disease prevention, so modifications can be made based on possible disease occurrence, and the effectiveness of your protocols can be measured. Written protocols are most important on larger facilities, where multiple people may be performing horse and property care.

The more often, the better. Removal of manure and soiled bedding from stalls twice per day is ideal. The frequent removal reduces the insect vectors, and reduces the load of pathogens that may be in horse manure. Manure and soiled bedding should be kept from contaminating facility breezeways and common horse areas. Do not share cleaning equipment between barns or groups of horses.

If the disinfectant product is not readily available, people will be less likely (or unable) to follow cleaning and disinfection protocols when a horse gets sick.

Make sure to clean your trailers as often as possible between uses. That way any bacteria or viral agents that are on the surface are removed or inactivated (killed). This makes the trailer safe before it is used in the future.

It is best to clean out any bedding, wash surfaces with soap and water and then use a disinfectant on the walls, floor. Cleaning and disinfection of equipment such as buckets, tie straps, and feeders in the trailer is also important. This is to make sure all possible pathogenic agents are removed or inactivated (killed). Be certain to follow all label direction on products used to clean and disinfect the trailer.

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Early detection of health problems, whether they are infectious diseases or not, allows your horse to be treated sooner. It allows you to manage the situation to reduce risk of spread of disease. It is best to promptly contact your veterinarian in order to develop a plan for disease control. Overall this will keep your horse healthier in general, and a healthy horse is more resistant to infectious diseases as well.

There are a large number of conditions that can cause a runny nose in a horse. Some are contagious from horse to horse, while others are not, but a good first step is to isolate the sick horse. When calling your veterinarian, get advice on what to do until they arrive. Your veterinarian needs to examine your horse to help determine if it poses a potential risk to other horses, it requires treatment, if you need to make changes to the horse’s management. You should determine what treatment to use based on the recommendation of your veterinarian. Waiting to call your veterinarian may result in your horse’s condition getting worse. It also becomes harder to treat, as well as resulting in the possible disease spread of a contagious disease agent. Targeted interventions to contain the disease were not implemented promptly.

It is important to keep the wound site clean, and wearing disposable examination gloves helps reduce the risk you will contaminate the wound, as well as prevents infectious agents that may be in the wound or the soiled bandage from directly contacting your skin. Be sure to wash or sanitize your hands by other means once you remove your gloves and be sure not to touch surfaces with soiled gloves. Dispose of all soiled bandage material so as to prevent exposure of people, horses or other animals.

Isolation is one of the most beneficial ways of preventing contagious infectious disease agents from spreading to other horses on a facility. Personnel and horse owners should be educated on proper procedures to follow if a horse on the facility is sick or confirmed to have a contagious disease. When a horse is in isolation, there should be communication about the plan in place to prevent any possible cross-contamination from the sick horse to other horses. If a horse with a contagious disease is not isolated, the risk for spread of disease increases exponentially, and could lead to an outbreak of disease that could impact many horses or spread to horses on other facilities.

The farther away a horse can be kept from other horses the better. Having a separate barn or paddock with shelter that is not used for other horses is ideal. It is important along with the separation, that protocols for people movement be used as well, as solely physical isolation of the horse doesn’t negate the risk of infectious disease spread.

Written protocols should be developed so that everyone is aware of what is to be done, and so they can refer to the protocols if there is ever any question about how to proceed. These protocols should be developed in consultation with your veterinarian. For large facilities that are likely to have a large number of employees it is important to not only have an infection plan, but to write it down so that everyone can comply with the protocols.

If an outbreak of contagious disease has occurred in horses on your facility, working with your veterinarian to determine how best to prevent future occurrences is indicated. Valuable lessons can be learned from previous outbreaks that allow you to determine how best to prevent future occurrences.