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Horse and donkey biosecurity
The 2007 equine influenza (EI) outbreak in Australia saw many people become aware of the importance of biosecurity to prevent disease outbreaks and their spread. 
Biosecurity is relevant to everyone who owns a horse or who works on a property or in a facility where horses are kept.
As seen with the EI outbreak, diseases can be highly contagious and are capable of spreading large distances in a short period of time. In Australia, there are regular movements of large numbers of horses from state to state to participate in different horse sports and for breeding.
However, during the 2007 EI outbreak, when there were strict controls preventing horse movements, it became obvious that people were largely responsible for the disease spreading to uninfected areas.
Biosecurity
The simple biosecurity measures below are relevant to people who work with horses or have a role in maintaining horse properties.
On your property
- Only allow visitors contact with your horses if necessary. Keep them out of stable areas and paddocks if they don't need to be there.
- For new horses arriving on your property, know where they've been prior to their arrival and make sure they're healthy. A period of quarantine (isolation) before introducing them to other horses on your property is advised.
Horse gear
- Don't share your horse gear with other people and their horses.
- If your gear has been used by other horses/people, make sure it's thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before coming back into contact with your horse. This includes tack, bits, rugs, saddlecloths, feed and water bins. Ensure vets, farriers and others providing services use clean equipment on your horses.
You and your gear
As experienced with equine influenza, some diseases can be easily carried on people's clothing, hats, hair and footwear.
Before having contact with horses outside your property, change into clean clothes and footwear; wash your hands with soap and water; and blow your nose. Sometimes it may be necessary to have a shower and wash your hair.
Floats and trucks
Where different horses are using the one vehicle, it is suggested the interior of the float or truck be washed out and disinfected before loading new horses.
Cleaning and Disinfectants
For a surface to be sufficiently disinfected, it must first be thoroughly cleaned. Remove all soil, organic material, snot/mucus and saliva.
Disinfection can then be achieved with the use of household products such as common detergents and soaps (eg washing powder), washing soda, household chlorine bleach, hypochlorites, swimming pool disinfectant and citric acid. Check concentration and exposure times on the label.
Events
Event organisers should check what biosecurity measures are required by the relevant Department of Primary Industries (DPI). You may also need to register your event with them.
The biosecurity measures outlined above are also applicable at events - don't share your gear, feed and water bins. While it is impossible to keep horses separate at events, make sure your horse is in full health before leaving your property.
Any horses showing signs of illness should be isolated and veterinary attention sought.
Check your horse regularly and know what to look for
The following table provides the 'normal' vital signs for an adult horse at rest, and how you can check them.
| Normal in adult horse at rest | How to measure | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 37-38oC | Insert a thermometer into the horse's rectum. Read the temperature after one minute. Digital thermometers are easier to use and will 'bip' once the temperature has been read. |
| Pulse/Heart Rate | Approx. 38 beats per minute | The easiest way to take your horse's heart rate is with a stethoscope. Stand at the horse's left-hand shoulder and place the stethoscope on the chest (just inside the front leg/in line with the elbow). You may need to move it around a bit to find the heart. Alternatively the pulse can be found under the jaw or on the underside of the horse's dock. |
| Respiration | 8-15 breaths per minute | Observe the rib cage's inwards and outwards movements. Alternatively, place your hand in fornt of the nostril to feel exhalation. |
| Dehydration | The pinch test - pinch the skin on the horse's neck. The skin should flatten within one second of releasing it. The longer it takes for it to flatten is a measure of the dehydration level. | |
| Capillary Refill Time | 1-2 seconds | Lift the horses's upper lip. Press your thumb firmly against the gums for two seconds. This will leave a white mark. Normal pink colour should return within 1-2 seconds. |
| Mucuous Membranes | Linings of the eyelids, gums and inside the nostrils. The normal colour is a moist pink. | Abnormal: Very pale pink, bright red, grey, bluish or yellow. |
Reporting
The key to success in eradicating any new disease is early recognition. The sooner a disease is reported, the earlier authorities can contain it, undertake tracing and put a control program in place - providing a better chance of disease eradication.
Reporting is easy. Simply call your local vet or phone the national Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888. This will put you in contact with your Department of Primary Industries or Agriculture, where an officer will follow up on your report.
Most horse diseases do not require horses to be destroyed for disease control purposes. Usually a worst case scenario will involve quarantine, a recovery period and where necessary, vaccination.
Reportable Diseases
There is a list of diseases that are 'notifiable'. This means that if you suspect an animal is showing symptoms of one of these 'notifiable' diseases, you are obliged by law to report it.
Stay Informed and Inform Others
- Your state or territory DPI website will have the latest on pest and disease outbreaks in your area. The website for major outbreaks of national concern is www.outbreak.gov.au.
- You can subscribe to the Australian Horse Industry Council's Emergency Horse Contact Database. This free service provides horse owners with relevant, localised information during an emergency, including disease outbreaks, fires and floods.
- Not everyone has access to the internet. If you feel that the information on this page is relevant to someone you know, print off a copy and give it to them.
Horse and donkey biosecurity
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- Subscribe to DAFF's On-farm Biosecurity news and updates.
Additional Resources
Other websites relevant to horse owners:
- HorsesLandWater - improving the health of horses and the environment
- Farm Biosecurity - Animal Health Australia
- Horses Completed Projects - RIRDC
Can we help you further?
DAFF is interested in working with individual horse owners, clubs and associations to provide them with information that will assist in preventing future pest and disease outbreaks. If you have any suggestions as to how we may be able to help you further, please don't hesitate to contact us by email or phone (02) 6272 5859.
