Making Momentum CIC Control and Spread of Disease Procedure 

The objective of this procedure is to ensure the health and welfare of all horses at Making Momentum by implementing a comprehensive strategy to control and prevent the spread of infectious diseases. This procedure aims to reduce the risk of disease outbreaks, and maintain a safe and healthy environment for horses, staff, and visitors. Infectious diseases can spread rapidly among horses, especially in a stable environment with multiple horses in close contact. This procedure is essential to reduce the risk of disease outbreaks that can lead to costly treatments, quarantine, or even the loss of animals. The procedure’s aim is to: 

  • Prevent the introduction and spread of diseases within the stable. 

  • Ensure the welfare of horses by identifying and isolating any sick animals. 

  • Meet legal requirements to prevent the spread of notifiable diseases and comply with health and safety regulations. 

  • Maintain the reputation and integrity of Making Momentum as a responsible and compliant organisation. 

 

Biosecurity Plan: 

Biosecurity measures help prevent the introduction, spread, and transmission of infectious diseases. The following protocols will be adhered to at Making Momentum to maintain biosecurity standards: 

Key Biosecurity Measures: 

  • Personal Hygiene: 

  • Staff and Visitors must wash hands before and after handling horses. 

  • Hand sanitizers should be placed at entrances and exits for easy access. 

  • Footwear should be designated for stable use and cleaned regularly.  

  • Hygiene in Stable Areas: 

  • Clean Stables: All horse stalls, aisles, tack rooms, and communal areas should be cleaned and disinfected regularly. Bedding should be removed daily, and fresh bedding should be provided. 

  • Manure Disposal: Manure and soiled bedding must be removed and disposed of safely to avoid contamination and minimize exposure to parasites. 

  • Cleaning of Equipment: 

  • Disinfect Grooming Tools and any shared equipment regularly. 

  • Tack should be wiped down after every use and disinfected regularly. 

  • Horse box and Trailer Hygiene: 

  • Horseboxes and Trailers used for transport must be cleaned and disinfected before and after use to prevent cross-contamination between horses or premises. 

  • New Horses or Returning Horses: 

  • Any new or returning horses must be kept in isolation for 21 days before being introduced to the main herd, allowing time to monitor for signs of illness. 

  • General Animal Welfare and Monitoring: 

  • Conduct regular daily health checks on all horses, including monitoring temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate. 

 

List of Notifiable Diseases in the UK: 

Notifiable diseases are those that must be reported immediately to the relevant authorities when suspected or confirmed, to prevent them from spreading to other horses or animals. 

Notifiable Diseases in Horses in the UK: 

Reporting of Notifiable Diseases can be found at: 

https://www.britishequestrian.org.uk/equine/health-biosecurity/diseases-to-know-about 

  • Immediate Reporting:  

  • If a notifiable disease is suspected or confirmed, it must be reported immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). This can be done by calling the APHA helpline at 03000 200 301. 

  • Veterinary Assistance:  

  • Veterinary surgeon should be contacted immediately to assess the horse’s symptoms and determine if a notifiable disease is present. The vet may take samples and assist with diagnosis. 

  • Post-Report Actions:  

  • After reporting a notifiable disease, the APHA may provide specific instructions for quarantine, disinfection, and further measures to control the disease. A risk assessment may be conducted and contact tracing may be required to identify any potential exposure to other horses or facilities. 

 

Common Diseases in Horses: 

While not all diseases are notifiable, several common diseases can still affect horses and need to be managed carefully to avoid spreading. 

Common Diseases in Horses: 

  • Equine Influenza (Flu) – A highly contagious respiratory disease that can cause fever, coughing, and nasal discharge. 

  • Colic: 

  • Colic refers to abdominal pain in horses, which can have various causes, including diet, stress, or infection. Symptoms include rolling, sweating, and restlessness. 

  • Laminitis: 

  • Laminitis is a painful inflammation of the hooves, often linked to metabolic issues or excessive grain intake. It can cause severe lameness. 

  • Equine Asthma (Heaves): 

  • Caused by allergies or poor ventilation, equine asthma leads to coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing, particularly in dusty environments. 

  • Worm Infestation: 

  • Internal parasites are common in horses, causing weight loss, colic, and poor condition. Regular deworming is essential to control these parasites. 

  • Rain Scald (Dermatophilosis): 

  • A bacterial skin infection that causes scabby lesions, commonly seen in horses exposed to wet conditions for prolonged periods. 

  • Tetanus:  

  • A bacterial disease affecting the nervous system, often fatal if untreated.  

  • Thrush:  

  • A bacterial infection of the frog of the hoof, often caused by poor hygiene and wet conditions.  

  • Mud Fever:  

  • A bacterial skin infection, common in horses kept in muddy conditions 

  • Strangles 

  • A highly contagious bacterial infection of the upper respiratory tract.  

  • Equine Herpes Virus (EHV) 

  • Can cause respiratory difficulties, miscarriage, and neurological problems depending on the strain 

 

 

 

Intelligent Worming Program: 

An Intelligent Worming Program is a strategic approach to manage and reduce worm burdens while avoiding the development of resistance to deworming treatments. At Making Momentum we use the services of Efecs Ltd. to supervise our worming program. 

Key Elements of the Program: 

  • Fecal Egg Counts (FEC): 

  • Regular fecal egg counts (FEC) should be performed to assess the worm burden of individual horses. This allows targeted treatments rather than blanket deworming. 

  • Rotation of Dewormers: 

  • Dewormers from different classes should be rotated to prevent resistance. The rotation should follow veterinary recommendations based on the results of FEC. 

  • Monitor and Record: 

  • Keep detailed records of each horse’s worming history, FEC results, and the products used. 

  • Pasture Management: 

  • Implement rotational grazing to reduce the build-up of worms in pastures. Manure should be removed regularly to limit contamination. 

 

Vaccination Program: 

A comprehensive vaccination program is essential to protect horses from common infectious diseases and ensure the overall health of the herd. 

Recommended Vaccinations for Horses: 

  • Equine Influenza: 

  • Annual vaccination to protect against equine flu, a highly contagious respiratory disease. 

  • Tetanus: 

  • Horses should receive a tetanus vaccine every two years, or more frequently if they suffer a wound. 

Vaccination Schedule: 

The horses at Making Momentum are vaccinated annual as directed by Brown Moss Equine Clinic. 

 

Procedure for Isolating an Affected Horse: 

When a horse shows signs of infectious disease, it should be immediately isolated to prevent the spread to other horses. 

Steps for Isolation: 

  • Veterinary Assessment: 

  • Contact a veterinarian for an assessment, diagnosis, and treatment plan. The vet may conduct tests to confirm the disease and recommend further actions. 

  • Isolation: 

  • Move the affected horse to a designated isolation area that is separate from other horses, ensuring that the area is well-ventilated and has basic necessities (feed, water, bedding). Dependent on the severity of the disease this may be on site (boxes in hay barn) or off site (Croft Stables, WA16 9RB). 

  • Limiting Contact: 

  • Minimize interaction with the isolated horse to essential personnel only. Anyone handling the horse must wear protective clothing, such as gloves and boots. 

  • Disinfection Protocol: 

  • After handling the isolated horse, all equipment, tack, and supplies should be disinfected. The isolation area should also be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected once the horse is removed. 

  • Monitoring: 

  • Regularly monitor the horse for any changes in symptoms and report findings to the vet. Document all observations, including temperature, behavior, and appetite. 

  • Reporting: 

  • If a notifiable disease is suspected or confirmed, report the case to the appropriate authorities immediately.