Stable biosecurity: a practical checklist
How to reduce the risk of bringing in and spreading contagious horse diseases – based on AAEP and USDA guidance.
1 min read
Biosecurity covers all practices intended to prevent the introduction and minimise the spread of infectious disease agents among horses (AAEP, 2022). It is best to plan it with your vet before any outbreak.
This article is based on international sources; we found no Czech national statistics on the topic. It does not replace veterinary advice.
New and returning horses
- House new horses apart from the herd at first and agree the isolation period with your vet.
- Watch horses returning from shows or events for fever, nasal discharge or cough.
Don't share equipment
- EHV-1 and EHV-4 spread through nose-to-nose contact, contaminated equipment (water and feed buckets, tack, grooming kit, shoes) and respiratory secretions in stalls (USDA APHIS).
- Give each horse its own buckets, headcollar and grooming kit; clean and disinfect anything shared.
Vaccination and health checks
- Plan vaccinations with your vet; EHV vaccines reduce symptom severity and viral shedding but do not protect against the neurological form (USDA APHIS).
- Take temperatures regularly and record changes in health.
If you suspect disease
- Call your vet immediately, limit horse and human movement and separate the sick horse.
- AAEP advises keeping heightened biosecurity for 21–28 days after the last case.
People and visitors
- Visitors shouldn't handle horses without reason; wash hands and change footwear after contact with other horses.
Author: Redakce koneastaje.com
Not veterinary-reviewed; based on the cited sources.
