Equine Biosecurity

Jun 16, 2017

By Tom Guthrie

Simply put - biosecurity refers to measures intended to protect against the spread of disease or biological contamination. Implementing simple practices can go a long way in protecting your equine investment.

Michigan State University Extension recommends that a minimum biosecurity plan should at least include: clean boots, clean hands, clean clothes and clean equipment. It is also important to understand the potential risks and have a plan to reduce those associated risks.

Consider these other top priorities for equine biosecurity when developing your plan:

Develop vaccination plan for herd health and travel schedule
Don’t share equipment or water buckets
Quarantine new and sick animals
Avoid equine nose to nose contact when traveling
Disinfect trailers and housing before introducing new animals
Keep horses away from stored or spread manure

Additionally, know some of the basic symptoms of a potentially sick horse for early detection of disease.

General Signs of Illness:

Drainage from eyes
Fever
Depression
Weakness
Lethargy (lack of energy)
Loss of or no appetite
Nasal discharge
Difficult breathing
Cough
Diarrhea
Blisters or sores
Behavioral changes
Lack of coordination
Inability to rise
Twitching or seizing

Source: msu.edu

Video: How We Pick Sheep For Use As Breeding Stock

In this episode of our sheep farming vlog at Ewetopia Farms, we’re diving deeper into one of the most important parts of raising purebred sheep — selecting our breeding stock. ?? This episode is a direct follow-up to our popular video “You Be The Judge,” where we invited viewers to help evaluate our rams. We read through your comments, shared your insights, and now we’re responding! Arnie and I go over what we agreed with, where our opinions differed, and what we look for when choosing both rams and ewes to carry on our genetics. Breeding decisions at Ewetopia Farms aren’t just about looks — they’re about structure, performance, temperament, and the future of the flock. Whether you’re building your own breeding program or just curious how we make these decisions, today’s discussion offers a rare look inside the thought process behind improving a flock year after year.