Routine horse hygiene procedures are essential to proper horse management. Good hygiene helps minimize the spread of disease and infection. Keeping yards, stables, and equipment clean are vital to maintaining the health of your horses.
According to World Horse Welfare, communicable diseases are spread through contact with contaminated surfaces, materials, and animals:
- Direct contact between horses or between horses and other animals.
- Waste products and bodily fluids.
- Mosquitoes, ticks, and biting flies.
- Contaminated water, bedding, and feed.
- Vehicles.
- Through the air with coughing and snorting.
- Equipment, clothing, and shoes.
- Mare to foal through the placenta or via milk.
Here are some tips to maintaining a healthy, hygienic environment:
- Remove manure and bedding from stables at least twice a day.
- Routinely clean and disinfect stables and equipment.
- Store feed in vermin-proof containers.
- Thoroughly wash any cloths, rags, or towels.
- Disinfect your boots and wash your hands thoroughly before working with the next horse.
- Clean and disinfect gear such as halters and lead ropes if shared between horses. If possible, use separate gear for each horse.
- Keep water troughs clean. Do not allow the water to stagnate.
- Ensure stables are well-ventilated.
- Isolate sick animals.
Keeping stables clean is paramount to good hygiene and will help prevent the spread of infections and disease. Disease carriers such as flies and midges will accumulate in areas with a lot of dung and dirt. Disease-spreading vermin are attracted to and breed near food sources. Stagnant water can harbor bacteria, as well as provide a breeding ground for mosquitoes. By eliminating these areas of concern, you are creating a healthier, more hygienic environment for your horses.
East-West Arena Construction can help you create a healthy living and working environment for your horses. Contact us today.
