Maxine Franklin, of AGMA Ltd., creators of the Stablemate by AGMA Stable Hygiene range, and an avid owner/breeder of Thoroughbreds with her husband, Malcolm Franklin, imparts her expertise on preventing the spread of disease.
Preventing the spread of disease is every horseman’s responsibility. Infection control or biosecurity (procedures used to prevent the introduction and spread of disease-causing organisms) may only become important during or after an outbreak, yet very often it is we humans who inadvertently carry these pathogens from place to place on our hands, shoes, clothes, equipment and vehicles. Vaccination defined procedures for new arrivals or returning horses, and routine environmental cleaning and disinfection are the horseman’s insurance policy.
Correctly managing the stable environment helps reduce the risk of horses coming into contact with pathogens. Most of it is easy to carry out, inexpensive and common sense. Designated tack and rugs, regular cleaning and disinfection of surfaces and equipment, plus attention to hand hygiene, is a good starting point. The most common way germs are spread is via our hands, so regular handwashing is very important in helping to reduce the spread of infections.
Infection Control Measures
Changing the thinking and habits of horse owners in the way they view biosecurity is crucial. In order to prevent the spread of infectious diseases in horses, we must ensure adequate vaccination and employ routine, standard cleaning and disinfection procedures.
There are many equine vaccines commercially available, but none can be guaranteed to be 100% effective. Vaccines are not generally currently commercially available for a number of major disease-causing organisms, making well planned, well-executed cleaning and disinfection regimes, using good quality, independently tested and approved products, a must. Many peer-reviewed studies have demonstrated that the environment plays a role in the transmission of infections.
Environmental surfaces and equipment are potential sources for pathogens, increasing the risk of transmission between animals either through their direct contact with contaminated surfaces or by contaminating the hands of their handlers, who then transfer these pathogens to other surfaces and animals. This type of evidence supports the need for improved cleaning and disinfection of surfaces and equine equipment.
Unseen fungal spores can seriously affect the respiratory system of a horse and have an impact upon its performance. Not only do they result in direct respiratory effects, but they can also lead to recurring bouts of secondary infections due to associated immune suppression. Unless steps are taken to remove these unseen pathogens from the stable environment, achieving consistency of equine performance is going to be extremely difficult.
The Key to Effective Cleaning
Selecting the correct cleaning and disinfectant products is essential for effective disinfection, in combination with correct application, the training of those who apply them, and adherence to the manufacturer’s instructions for use. This combination of product and good practice results in effective surface disinfection, reducing the risk and spread of diseases.
The general cleanliness of a barn or stable is paramount as the survival time of a microorganism outside the host body is increased by the presence of organic soiling. Therefore, the most effective way to keep disease from spreading throughout a yard is by keeping it clean and having a regular disinfection programme.
Cleaning is also essential prior to the application of the disinfectant as disinfectants are deactivated by organic materials. The more organic material, such as dirt or manure that is present, the less effective the disinfectants are going to be, and the more you are going to have to use detergent and elbow grease. This pre-cleaning step is a crucial part of the disinfection process, as simply spraying a dirty wall, floor, or piece of equipment with disinfectant won’t be effective at killing pathogens.
Detergent plus hot water is extremely useful for effective pre-cleaning, getting into corners, cracks and crevices where pathogens are likely to exist. Hot water under pressure Cleans by flushing and by hydraulic impact dissolving inorganic salts, emulsifying fats and washing away organic debris.
Product Choice
Best practice is to always use a DEFRA-approved and Biocidal Product Regulation (BPR) compliant disinfectant at the manufacturer’s specified concentration, using their validated application method and contact time for disinfection. The BPR status of a product can be checked directly with the manufacturer, as can the application methods for which its microbial efficacy is validated. A product whose microbial efficacy has been validated for a spray application might not necessarily be validated for fogging or vapourising. Always check with the manufacturer before use. The DEFRA approvals status of the product you have chosen should be checked on the DEFRA list of approved disinfectants, as their list is routinely updated, and product approvals can and do change.
Here is a link to the list of approved products.
From which you can confirm that the product you have chosen is DEFRA approved and the concentration it is approved for use at for specific Statutory Disease Orders Notices.
When choosing cleaning and disinfectant products, horse owners should consider the overall cost, not merely the price of the product. They should factor in the cost of labour to set up and use the product, plus any equipment required, and compare that to the cost of non-compliance, increased infections and potential shutdown. For example, Equine Influenza and Strangles in particular can have the most devastating effects on horse welfare as well as causing severe disruption, with the subsequent halting of animal movement for several weeks and the associated financial implications of lockdown. Disinfection, whilst important on a routine basis, becomes paramount when dealing with an infectious horse/s.
For routine disinfection, horse owners will need to address a variety of organisms with a disinfectant which possesses a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity against bacteria, viruses, fungi and spores. The easier and safer a product is to use, the more likely we are to use it correctly and effectively. Look for cleaning and disinfectant products available in convenient, easy-to-use formats, such as trigger sprays containing ready-to-use solutions, liquid concentrates in accurate dosing bottles and tablet products – both of which simplify dosing. Better management of the stable environment by regular cleaning and disinfection, dust-free bedding and adequate forage treatment can make a significant, long-term difference to a horse’s health and performance.
It cannot be overstated that vaccination and environmental hygiene are two critical components in a coordinated approach to infection control and disease prevention. Regular environmental surface cleaning and disinfection reduces pathogens in the environment and helps prevent their spread. Other vital components include a focus on hand hygiene, the use of contact precautions, staff education/ongoing training, and the implementation of quarantine procedures for new or returning horses. Whilst disinfection is effective at controlling the spread of disease, it cannot eliminate infections if carrier animals are continually introduced to susceptible populations. As such, it is also important to control movement into and out of a yard. All of these steps are critical and work together to help keep us and our animals safe.
A step-by-step guide for effective cleaning & disinfection
CLEAN
- Clear the stable of movable equipment, disposing of any bedding, manure, feed, and debris.
- Brush & scrape clearing all surfaces, removing as much organic matter as possible.
- Thoroughly clean all surfaces by scrubbing and washing with a good quality detergent.
RINSE
- After cleaning, rinse from the top down with clean water, ensuring all traces of detergent are rinsed away.
- Remove excess water and allow the surfaces to dry so as not to dilute the disinfectant.
DISINFECT
- Once the surfaces that you plan to disinfect are clean and dry, carefully read the manufacturer’s instructions for your chosen DEFRA/BPR-approved disinfectant and prepare the disinfectant solution accordingly.
- Apply the disinfectant solution using the manufacturers validated application method and contact time. Do not rinse and allow the disinfectant to dry, maximising the contact time of the biocide with the pathogens for an effective kill.
- Feed and water buckets, drinkers and any equipment which comes into intimate contact with the horse should be rinsed thoroughly with clean potable water after cleaning & disinfection prior to reuse.
