How to protect your stable from the spread of infection

How to avoid infection in the stable

1
Avoid staying in stables or riding halls where infections are present.
2
If you are in a stable where infection is present – change clothes, shoes and sanitize your hands before entering a new stable.
3
Let each horse have their own set of brushes and equipment.
4
Avoid sharing buckets with other horses.
5
Pay attention to the horse's general condition. If it seems lazy or different, take the temperature and let the horse take it easy for a few days.
6
Have a quarantine stable for newly arrived horses where they can stand for at least three weeks, preferably longer, before they are stabled.
7
Avoid transports that mix horses from different herds.
8
Check the temperature of new horses every day and pay attention to any signs of illness.

Welcoming a new horse to your stable always involves a risk of infection spreading. Imported horses pose an even greater risk as they have often been transported a considerable distance which can make the horse more susceptible to infections. During the journey, the horse has often been in proximity to other horses, which increases the risk of infection.

Isolate newcomers for at least three weeks

Due to the risk of spreading infection, it is important to let a new horse stand isolated from the other horses in the stable for at least three weeks. It must be a stable, a box or a loose housing that is completely separate from the other horses. Also take the temperature of the newcomer every day and keep an eye on the temperature curve.

Make sure that there are separate equipment, that the horses cannot have direct contact and that the people who need to be in the isolation stable wash their hands and change clothes before they come to the other stables.

Hands should be washed with lukewarm water and soap, and disinfected after washing. Wait for your hands to dry from the wash before applying hand sanitizer. Always keep in mind that you as a human can bring infection from the isolated horse to other stables on your clothes and/or shoes.

Be careful at competition venues

Competitions, shows or other places where many horses mix also involve a risk. To reduce that risk, you can choose to only go to places where the organizer requires a horse owner's insurance. You should also think about keeping your horse as isolated from other horses as possible at the competition site.

Always follow the prevailing rules

The most common symptoms of the diseases we want to avoid – and which are very contagious – are fever, cough or other respiratory symptoms. Therefore, there are quite strict rules that apply if a horse in a stable gets respiratory symptoms and/or fever for an unclear reason.

Then no horses from that stable are allowed to go out for training or competition, or come to other stables, for 21 days. This is to minimize the risk of spreading any infection further. In addition, you must by law contact a veterinarian if you suspect a contagious equine disease, including for sampling. Some diseases, such as strangles, may require prolonged isolation/quarantine.

Sure, it can feel sad to miss a race, but the same rules apply to all stables. And the purpose is that you and your horse should not have to risk meeting horses that can bring infection.

How to stop infection in the stable

Contact a veterinarian.
Inform about the infection – for example, by putting up a sign on the stable door. Don't forget farriers, trainers and other external visitors.
Isolate sick horses, if possible in their own quarantine stable.
Wear special protective clothing, shoes and other equipment (forks, wheelbarrows, etc.) when caring for sick horses.
It is important to have good hygiene, wash your hands and use hand sanitizer before and after visits to the quarantine stable, but also when handling seemingly healthy horses.
Equipment such as clothes and shoes need to be washed and disinfected if you have been around sick horses.
Do not go to competitions or training if there are sick horses in the stable, this applies even if sick horses have been moved.
Consult your veterinarian about when the risk of spreading infection is over.

Tips for staff when moving between stables

If it is difficult to change between different stables, you can have specific shoes or rubber boots that are only used in the insulation, as well as a rubber coat or disposable coats with long sleeves that you put on over clothing.

Also remember to protect your hair with, for example, a buff, as it can be difficult to wash your hair between different stables. Always handle the isolated horses last. The risk of infection is reduced by not going directly between the isolation and another stable part, but doing other things in between.

How to check your horse's breathing