Biosecurity
What is biosecurity?
Set of practices, including isolation, hygiene, and movement control that keep out pest and diseases.
What disease causes abscesses in the lymph nodes and spreads through nasal discharge and contaminated equipment.
Strangles
Name one physical sign that may indicate a horse is unwell.
Discharge, coughing, lethargy, lameness, diarrhoea or loss of appetite
What is one disease associated with introducing a new horse to group without quarantine?
Strangles, Hendra, Equine Influenza, Salmonella
Clinical waste is what colour and has what type of symbol?
Yellow with biohazard symbol
What is one reason footbaths are placed at property entry or stable areas?
To help reduce the spread of disease by disinfecting footwear before entering or leaving horse areas.
Identify signs of Equine Influenza
Lethargic, high fever, dry cough, inappetence, watery eyes and nasal discharge
Why is a change in appetite or water intake an important health indicator?
Can be an early sign of pain, illness or infection
Why should the movement of horses onto and off a property be monitored?
To prevent diseases from being introduced or spread between properties.
Why is staff training important for maintaining biosecurity and infection control practices in a horse breeding workplace?
Ensures staff understand and correctly follow biosecurity procedures, helping reduce disease risks, maintain horse health and comply with workplace and industry requirements.
Why must shared equipment be cleaned and disinfected between horses?
To stop transmission from one horse to another through contaminated equipment
What disease can cause respiratory and neurological signs?
Hendra virus
Why is early detection of illness critical in a breeding environment?
Allows faster treatment and reduces the risk of disease spreading to other horses.
What risk can vehicles pose when entering a breeding facility?
Vehicles can transport contaminated dirt, manure or pathogens between properties.
What information should be included when documenting horse movements to support effective disease tracing during a biosecurity incident?
Horse’s identity, date and purpose of movement, origin and destination locations, transport details and any health declarations to allow accurate tracing if disease occurs.
What does the term biosecurity mean in relation to a horse breeding workplace?
Preventing the introduction and spread of diseases and contaminants that could affect horse health.
Which strain is EHV1 and EHV4?
EHV1 - abortion
EHV4 - stable virus
What is antimicrobial resistance
When microorganisms no longer respond to antibiotics, making infections harder to treat.
Why is it important to record where horses have previously been kept or travelled?
Previous locations may have known disease risks that could affect the current property.
Why is it important to keep accurate workplace health and biosecurity records?
Accurate records support traceability, legal compliance and effective disease management.
When do you use Transmission-based precautions?
Used when working with animals with a known or suspected infectious or zoonotic disease
This disease is an emerging infectious zoonotic
Equine Chlamydiosis (Chlamydia psittaci)
What does a low Capillary Refill Time (CRT) indicate?
Compromised circulation
Dehydration
Hypoxaemia
Low blood pressure
How can a visitor logbook help reduce disease transmission?
A logbook allows tracing of contacts if a disease outbreak occurs.
What factors must be considered when disposing of horse health‑related waste to ensure biosecurity and environmental compliance?
Consider the type of waste, infection risk, correct disposal method, local regulations and environmental impact to prevent disease spread and contamination.