Vet Guide: Biosecurity for Show Horses in 2025 🐴🦠🏆
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Vet Guide: Biosecurity for Show Horses in 2025 🐴🦠🏆
By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc
Traveling to shows puts horses at risk of encountering infectious diseases. Even the healthiest horses can become carriers—or fall ill—without strong biosecurity measures. In 2025, as show circuits grow and more horses mix across states, biosecurity is more important than ever. 🛑🐎
In this guide, Dr Duncan Houston outlines a complete biosecurity plan to keep show horses safe—before, during, and after competition. 🧼🧠
1. The Risk of Travel and Competition 🧳🏇
Hauling horses off-property increases exposure to diseases such as:
- 🦠 Equine herpesvirus (EHV-1 and EHV-4)
- 🤧 Equine influenza
- 💥 Strangles (Streptococcus equi)
Dr. Chris White notes that travel stress lowers a horse’s immunity, increasing susceptibility to pathogens—even when vaccinated. 😷
2. Vaccination: First Line of Defense 💉
Vaccines reduce disease severity and transmission, but they aren’t 100% protective. Best practices include:
- 🩺 Keep all vaccinations current through your veterinarian
- 📋 Ensure show horses meet vaccine requirements at events
- 📅 Time vaccinations 2–4 weeks before show season starts
Vaccine Reminders:
- ✅ EHV: Helps with respiratory and abortion forms—not the neurologic form
- ✅ Influenza: Boosts protection against flu-like symptoms
- ✅ Strangles: Reduces severity and spread, but not full immunity
3. Minimize Contact with Other Horses 🚷🐴
Many contagious diseases are spread through nose-to-nose contact or shared equipment. To limit exposure:
- 🚫 Avoid letting horses sniff or touch others
- 🚿 Never share buckets, tack, or grooming tools
- 🧴 Disinfect your stall area before use
Bring your own supplies, including water, to avoid communal contamination. 🧃🧽
4. Support Immunity During Travel 🧬
Travel and performance stress affect gut and immune health. Consider:
- 🦠 Probiotics or prebiotics to support gut integrity
- 💧 Electrolytes and consistent feed to minimize GI upset
Always consult your vet before adding supplements, especially if your horse has other health concerns. ✅
5. After the Show: Quarantine and Monitor 🏡🦠
When returning home:
- 🚪 Isolate show horses for 3 weeks from your home herd
- 🌡️ Take rectal temperatures twice daily
- 🦠 Watch for signs: nasal discharge, cough, swelling under jaw
If symptoms appear, call your vet immediately and extend isolation until resolved. 📞
6. Best Practices During Show Season ✅
- 🏠 Keep show horses in a separate barn or turnout if possible
- 📦 Pack all gear for each horse in clearly labeled containers
- 🧼 Disinfect stalls and gear before and after each trip
Think of your show horse like a traveling athlete—with specialized care, hygiene, and post-event recovery. 🧘♂️
7. Summary Table: Show Horse Biosecurity Plan 📋🐴
| Step | Action | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Before the show | Vaccinate, prep gear, limit contact | Prevent exposure and support immunity |
| During the show | Use your own buckets, avoid nose contact | Avoid direct/indirect transmission |
| After the show | Isolate 3 weeks, monitor temps | Prevent herd outbreak |
8. Final Thoughts from Dr Duncan Houston 💬
Biosecurity isn't optional—it's essential. A few smart precautions can prevent weeks of illness, lost training time, or worse. Protecting your horses, your investment, and your barn community means vaccinating, isolating, and keeping your gear to yourself. 🧠🧴🐎
Need help designing a show-season biosecurity plan or updating your vaccination protocol? Visit AskAVet.com or download the Ask A Vet app 📲 for personalized support and equine travel checklists.
— Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc
