Locked down
How can you protect your horse from infectious diseases? And which ones should be on your radar? Vet Geri King explains
Photos: Jon Stroud. With thanks to XL Vets Equine member Heath Equine Vets for their help with this feature, heathequinevet.co.ukxlvets.co.uk
Biosecurity might seem like a heavy-duty, technical word and far removed from the life of a leisure horse owner, but it simply relates to a set of management practices that reduce the potential for the introduction or spread of disease-causing agents. Basically, it’s about ensuring barriers are in place to prevent diseases entering a yard and affecting individual animals. Practical biosecurity measures are, in effect, an insurance policy and, contrary to many beliefs, most biosecurity is simple, inexpensive and based on common sense.
With threats from prevalent diseases such as strangles, the persistence of equine flu and emerging exotic diseases, the importance of biosecurity can’t be overstated. Unfortunately, many yards and horse owners only think about disease prevention after they’ve experienced an outbreak, but many diseases can have devastating effects, so it’s important not to leave your planning until it’s too late.
Our expert
Geri Long BVSc MRCVS is a veterinary surgeon at Heath Equine Vets in Cholmondeley, Cheshire where her main client base is private clients and racing.
DID YOU KNOW?
In horses vaccinated for equine influenza, there is reduced viral shedding and therefore a smaller risk of transmission to other horses.