Biosecurity and Horses

Biosecurity is of concern when considering a career with horses. What is biosecurity? The Macmillan dictionary defines it as, ‘the methods used to prevent an infection from spreading outside an area, used, for example, in cases of foot-and-mouth disease and avian flu.’

In Australia issues have arisen in the past with Equine Influenza getting into our country and greatly affecting the Thoroughbred breeding industry. More recently, the Hendra Virus has been in the news and biosecurity measures have been taken to try to prevent the spread of this zoonotic virus.

Quite recently the exciting news of a vaccine being established was released and currently a survey is being conducted by the University of Western Sydney (Mel Taylor) and the University of Sydney in conjunction with Biosecurity Queensland and Biosecurity NSW.

Perhaps you’d like to take part in the survey ‘HHALTER‘.

For those who are interested in the idea of protecting our beloved horses and those who care for them, it may be worth pursuing a position with the likes of the Department of Primary Industries (DPI).

These are the authorities that we have to notify if a case of strangles is found on our farm, as it has the potential to spread quickly and affect other properties, especially if horse movement on and off farms is common (such as going to a show, or mares being taken to a stud for breeding).

Of course, as a horse owner and carer you can do your part to help with regards to biosecurity:

• Keep horses up to date on vaccinations and worming
• Be as informed as you can be about equine and human health
• Follow the steps on this Horses, Land, Water poster

“My horse is security conscious… he always likes to bolt the stable door when I leave.”

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