Biosecurity in Horse BarnsBy Kentucky Equine Research Staff · February 15, 2010
The Equine Disease Quarterly Newsletter from the University of Kentucky suggests these steps may help decrease the spread of disease in stables:
- Isolate new horses, or those returning from a hospital stay, for several weeks.
- Isolate any horse showing disease signs, and use disposable clothing (gloves, booties, overalls) for anyone coming in contact with the horse.
- Care for and clean stalls of sick horses after caring for healthy animals, and disinfect tools before using them again.
- Do not spread manure and bedding from sick horses on pastures.
- Check with a veterinarian for help in developing a plan for disinfection of barns, horse trailers, and equipment.
- Develop a schedule for regular cleaning and disinfecting of stalls, buckets, grooming tools, and stall cleaning equipment. Increase the frequency of these measures during any disease outbreak.
- Provide running water, liquid soap/sanitizer, and paper towels in each barn, and encourage handlers to wash hands as they enter and leave barns.
