Biosecurity - Keeping your Horse Healthy
We don't share drinks, we don't lend or share hairbrushes, we wash our hands, and use a tissue when we sneeze. We teach our children these habits, these basics also need to be applied to our animals. This is what biosecurity is about, the little things we do by habit to prevent the spread of disease.
Biosecurity is protecting ourselves, our animals, the farm community and the livestock industry against disease causing agents. It is a strategy of disease prevention; preventing introduction of disease and controlling and preventing recycling of disease within a herd, region, facility or community.
AEF and the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association (AB.VMA) have joined forces on a proactive approach to biosecurity in the horse industry. We have come together to develop a guide to biosecurity best practices and AEF will be hosting biosecurity workshops throughout the province.
This interactive guide was developed to inform horse owners and caregivers about biosecurity practices and to encourage consultation and discussion with veterinarians on disease control and prevention. The manual will be used and distributed at the AEF Equine Biosecurity Workshops..
Equine Biosecurity Workshops
AEF Biosecurity Outreach: Plan, Protect and Prevent
The objective is to proactively reduce the spread of equine disease through prevention.
Attend a workshop to learn how to develop a biosecurity plan unique to your horse situation. Attendees will include horse owners and custodians, stable owners, users, recreational riders, competitors, show officials, administrators, and facility operators. Presenters will include veterinarians with an equine interest.
There is no charge to attend the workshops. Preregistration is required.
Workshop schedule
The workshop schedule is updated regularly, check back for workshops in your area.
If you would like a speaker on biosecurity at your next event or meeting or if you would like to schedule a workshop please contact Mikki Shatosky at design@declercq.ca or call 403-932-1877
Funding for this project was made available through Growing Forward, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative. Together, the governments of Canada and Alberta are investing $273 million over five years (2009-2013) for flexible and innovative programs for Alberta's agriculture industry.
Biosecurity Resources and Links
Standard Operating Procedures/Protocols (SOPs)
SOPs help ensure everyone who is using a facility and/or engaged in a horse's care is aware of the expectations and implementation of biosecurity standards. Below are sample SOPs that you are invited to download and customize to your equine facility and way of practicing effective biosecurity. These SOPs may be the start of a documented biosecurity program that can be reviewed by facility users, horse owners, service providers and your veterinarian.
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
Visit the CFIA animal biosecurity page for more information on biosecurity including the list of animal diseases, biosecurity at the border and notices to industry.
AEF Resources
Created by AEF, in partnership with the Alberta Veterinary Association and the University of Calgary Veterinary Medicine.
Calculate your Biosecurity Risk
..with the Equine Guelph Biosecurity Risk calculator
What Does Swine Flu and Your Horse Have in Common?
Answer: Potentially YOU! Read more...
Swine Flu fact sheet
|
uine Biosecurity Policies and Best Practices Guide
