Recommendations for Showing Horses
Monitor Temperatures of horses twice a day for 1 week prior to and during the show.
If a horse spikes a fever (usually mild at first 101.5 – 102.5) isolate the horse from others. If horse has an elevated temp upon arrival – it should not be admitted to the show.
All horses should have a health certificate from a veterinarian signed within 7 days of the show.
All horses should be vaccinated against Rhino not sooner than 7 days or later than 90 days of the start of the show.
Practice good bio security practices including:
Use your own trailer – or ship only in a trailer that has been cleaned & disinfected.
Don’t let your horse touch other horses, especially nose to nose
Don’t share equipment (water & feed buckets, brushes, sponges, bits, towels)
Wash your hands, especially after helping other people with their horses.
Don’t let strangers pet your horse.
Before leaving the horse show grounds, clean and disinfect tack, boots, equipment and grooming supplies.
General Disinfection Protocol
Remove all organic matter- *Surfaces cannot be disinfected if organic matter is present.* Scrub surfaces with warm, soapy water to remove all traces of organic matter including dirt, feces, saliva and mucous.
Allow surface to dry before applying a disinfectant.
Disinfect- After scrubbing the surface, use an approved disinfectant such as bleach (recommended at a strength of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water) or accelerated hydrogen peroxide or a phenolic. Be sure to follow label directions for use including precautions that workers should be taking in applying the product used.
Allow surface to dry before using the vehicle.
Remember to disinfect crossties and under floor mats as well- floor mats should be pulled up, scrubbed, and sprayed with a disinfectant, as should the floor beneath them. Crossties should be cleaned of organic matter and disinfected.
Helpful Links
http://www.vetmet.ucdavis.edu/ceh/topics.htm
http://www.equinediseasecc.org/biosecurity