A series of 10 videos has been produced by Teagasc, Irish Equine Centre and UCD, School of Veterinary Medicine focusing on the practical steps you can take to protect equine health.
Prioritise stable hygiene
Good biosecurity, including disinfection, can greatly reduce the incidences of contagious digestive tract and respiratory diseases such as viral or bacterial scours or pneumonia
"We’ve greatly reduced the incidence of respiratory and scour infections by implementing a good hygiene routine here at The Irish National Stud."
Cathal Beale, Chief Executive of the Irish National Stud & Gardens
Separate different categories of stock
A key principle of prevention of disease on the farm is separation of stock of different age, gender, and use. Mobile equines should be kept separate from resident equines.
" Our separation of animals is very important. We have one section (of the farm) for all the riding horses, another for all the broodmares, and another for all the youngstock."
Andrew Hughes, Accomplished show jumping breeder, producer, and manager of Ennisnag Stud
Be disciplined in quarantine protocols
Whenever equines leaves the farm and mix with others, they are open to exposure to infectious diseases. Acquired diseases may travel home with them. Even outwardly healthy newly arriving equines may harbour infectious disease.
"Financially if we got something (disease) in here (on the farm) it could cause havoc. So we just have to be so careful."
Sarah Ennis, Trainer, coach and established five star event rider
Provide hygienic storage for concentrate feed
If something goes wrong in the ‘feed shed’ it has the potential to affect every single horse in the yard.
"At Karlswood we take hygiene in general very seriously. The horses are only going to be as good as what we put into them."
Cian O’Connor, Olympic medal winning showjumper, coach and international horse producer, Karlswood Stables
Provide a clean ‘breathing zone’
Mild asthmatic conditions affect 80% of some equine populations with 20% often more severely affected. The best prevention is to decrease exposure to dust in the environment and provide well-ventilated spaces.
"If we don’t achieve a good clean environment, we don’t train winners, we don’t have runners, our vet bills go up, and that’s not what we want – we’re here to train winners."
David Roche, Assistant trainer at record-breaking De Bromhead Racing
Ensure adequate ventilation
Circulation of air in housing, and exercise areas is crucial. Dust, moulds and bacteria can damage the lungs and airways affecting both performance and quality of life.
"We believe improvement in air quality can only be of benefit. Respiratory health at a young age is extremely important."
John O’ Connor (MVB MRCVS), Vet and managing director at leading thoroughbred breeding operation Ballylinch Stud
Take care with paddock hygiene
There is a huge economic and labour-saving benefit to preventing disease on a stud farm or any equine holding. Hygiene of turnout paddocks, particularly for young foals, is crucial to prevent or reduce disease.
"We were having a fair few problems with sick foals. In conjunction with vets and the Irish Equine Centre we decided to get horses off the land when it got very wet."
Neilus Hayes, Breeder and owner of group winning progeny
Assess forage and bedding hygiene and provide suitable storage facilities
Poor quality forage/bedding can harbour moulds, fungi, dust and toxins that if inhaled or ingested can cause significant performance limiting and potentially life threatening diseases of the lung, liver, gut, kidney and brain, which can be expensive to treat.
"The most important day for me is when the horse is at the vetting, if they make ‘a noise’ I don’t get money."
Richard Sheane, Sourcing, producing and selling top quality Irish Sport Horses at Cooley Farm
Pay attention to water quality
Water is the, sometimes forgotten, but essential nutrient. Access to clean, palatable, safe water is crucial for all livestock.
"Waters that show the presence of high bacterial count, E. Coli and coliforms, faecal bugs or (with a) chemical and mineral analysis outside of the recommended levels have a direct impact on the health and performance of the horse."
Kerrie Kavanagh, Senior microbiologist at Irish Equine Centre
Pay close attention to the hygiene of all ‘high traffic’ zones
In-contact horses/ponies and their handlers are still the most influential vector to spread disease on a farm. Contaminated inanimate objects are also a very important factor in the spread of disease.
"Through experience we’ve learned that effective prevention and control of disease spread requires constant disinfection of handling stocks and transport vehicles."
Cathal Beale, Chief Executive of the Irish National Stud & Gardens