It's June and the Western states are still recovering from the EHV-1 outbreak and facility quarantines that have been in place. From large boarding facilities to backyard horses we have all been extremely compliant with state and local veterinarian recommendation so as not cause this outbreak to explode. As summer is unrolling we are all going stir crazy wanting to get on the trail, out camping and showing, and for those that run shows—on with the business. Everyone in my area of Colorado has been using caution and limiting trailering to other areas.
If you are going to be showing or traveling with your horses here are some simple things you can do to prevent the spread of any disease:
Before traveling check your horses temperature. A normal body temperature is 99-101 degrees F. Environmental factors can cause a horse temperature to vary by 3 degrees. Horses tend to have higher temperatures in warm weather and during/after exercise. If your horses temperature is over 102 F. degrees you should call your veterinarian.
Bring your own buckets for water. Don't let your horse drink from tanks at other facilities. Find a hose and fill your own buckets. Provide a secondary bucket at your facility for others to use to fill buckets. This keeps the fill tank from becoming contaminated.
Instead of using stalls at fairgrounds when traveling tie your horse to your trailer. To make your horse more comfortable you can also look into a device called a Spring Tie which bolts into your trailer frame and allows your horse to move about freely and lie down.
Even thought being social on the trails is nice, keep your horse from touching others.
Keep your horse from grazing along the sides of trails, move off the trail a bit where it is less likly another horse has been.
Let's stay healthy!
