Biosecurity measures : general guidelines

With regard to animal health, biosecurity is the defined by the tools, measures and procedures which contribute to preventing and controlling the spread of pathogenic agents via the different contamination paths. There are 3 main objectives to take into account :

• Bio-exclusion, or external biosecurity : preventing the introduction of pathogenic agents into an equestrian structure ;
• Bio-management or internal biosecurity : reducing the spread of these agents within the structure ;
• Bio-confinement : containing the pathogenic agents within the structure so as to not contaminate other premises.

The level of application of these biosecurity measures depends on the sanitary objective to be acheived. Prior analysis of the risks according to the activity of the yard (leisure or competition, certified European semen collection center, or premises dedicated to the quarantine of equids before export…) will enable the person in charge of the yard to choose among the proposed measures those which will help to better control sanitary risks.

Healthy and stringent preventive measures will help to avoid the development of diseases. They are unavoidable, and should become automatic reflexes.

They are based on 4 axes of intervention

Different measures can be implemented to reach this objective :

• Quarantine protects the horses present  by avoiding contacts with potentially contagious new arrivals ;
• Determining the sanitary status before introducing the animal, through tests for certain diseases (Equine infectious anaemia, strangles, worming status…) depending on the epidemiological context ;
• Carrying out vacinations (Equine influenza, EHV) or treating the animal (de-worming, antifungal or antibiotic treatment) prior to joining a group ;
• Implementing good record keeping practices to keep up with the health and traceability of the animals.

Car parks, entrances, access roads, tracks, should all be identified. Their access should be restricted to certain categories of users according to the risk. The rules for use should be formalised and clearly displayed.

^[1]Isolation is different to quarantine in terms of the status of the animal, isolation concerns horses having been diagnosed as affected by an infectious disease. Isolation should be maintained until the horse is completely cured, or longer depending on the resistance of the pathogen.

Washing hands

It is essential to wash one’s hands in between the handling of individual horses.

Hand wash basins should be provided and easily accessible.

Using disposable single use gloves may be necessary when handling sick horses

Clothing and shoes

The staff should wear clothes dedicated to the premises and respect the care circuit.

Washing and disinfecting shoes or boots should be made compulsary before entering the stables.

When an infectious disease is suspected, or for persons at risk (veterinarians), this operation should be renewed between stables, or groups of horses of a different status.

Boot wash stations should be clearly visible and accessible.

Premises

Disinfection of the entire building and outbuildings is an important step in controlling infectious diseases which could affect a yard. Carried out on a regular basis, it contributes to reducing the infectious pressure on the animals in the yard, due to pathogens present in the environment.

Tack and equipment

Cleaning and disinfection of equipment, tack, and grooming material are important steps to protect the horses. Everything should be cleaned and disinfected regularly strictly according to the rules of the cleaning schedule implemented. This schedule will effectively enable to control the spread of certain diseases.

Fight against rodents and insects

To reduce the insect population, the only effective method consists in destroying the breeding areas of the insects.

A rat extermination programme should be implemented, preferably using traps as opposed to poisoning.

Waste elimination

Implementing storage and evacuation protocols for manure and other waste is essential to reduce the risk of contamination on the premises (storage methods used, elimination…).

Managing the animals’ health should be carried out with a veterinarian. This collaboration with an animal health specialist will facilitate observation, assessment, and implemntation of preventive and health care actions, as well as keeping the yard or stud records up to date.

Vaccination and de-worming schedules

The veterinarian will set these up, and will adapt the protocols and the substances used to the animals’ age, physiological state and use (risk and obligations).

Surveillance of the horses

Systematically every morning, as well as whenever anything is suspected, each horse should be observed :

• Has the horse eaten ?
• Is his behaviour normal ?
• Are there signs of coughing?
• Check for any wounds or injuries.

If in any doubt whatsoever when carrying out this daily observation :

• Take the horse’s temperature : abnormal when over 38,5°C. Be careful of false hypothermia when the thermometer is not in contact with the intestinal lining (presence of droppings) ;
• Isolate the horse or group of horses ;
• Call the vet and treat the horse if necessary ;
• Entry in the yard record book.

Each horse should have an individual information sheet or card which is kept up to date (vaccines, de-wormers, farriery, dentistry, illnesses, treatments...).