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Second
Chance Ranch is a firm believer in proper quarantine procedure
for all horses with unknown backgrounds. As we often house aged
and health compromised animals, we cannot afford the risk of
an outbreak of contagious disease.
Our primary concern is with Strangles. Strangles is an especially
virulent bacterial infection commonly found in horses. While
the majority of healthy, young horses recover from Strangles
without veterinary intervention, and without complication, it
can prove fatal to aged or compromised equines.
Strangles is spread several ways, including direct contact with
nasal or abscess secretions, as well as indirect contact of
contaminated equipment.
In addition to Strangles, there are several other diseases that
we quarantine against including Rhinopneumonitis, also known
as Equine Herpesvirus and Equine Influenza.
The American Association of Equine Practitioners recommends
a quarantine time of 6 weeks. As an extra precaution, SCR keeps
all unfamiliar horses in isolation for a minimum of 8 weeks.
This time is extended if the animal initially showed signs of
contagion.
For biosecurity reasons, visitors are not allowed to visit the
horses residing in our quarantine field. Occasionally permission
will be granted if a visitor is leaving for the day and will
not come in contact with any other equines. Everybody leaving
the quarantine field, regardless of circumstances, must completely
disinfect all clothing and footwear with a disinfectant spray.
Any person entering the quarantine field must immediately leave
the premises. They are not allowed to return to the main barn
for any reason. Additionally, any items (buckets, brushes, etc)
brought into the quarantine field must remain there, or be brought
home and completely cleaned and disinfected.
At the end of their quarantine period, if a horse showed symptoms
of disease, they will have nasal swabs pulled by a vet. This
ensures they are no longer carrying the disease before being
moved into the main barn. Once given the all clear, the horse
is assumed healthy and can be stabled with the rest of the horses.
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