Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
would compact the soil, making the field less effective. In addition, the force delivered by
galloping hooves could dig up and damage drain tiles.
Disease Prevention
Disease and infection are usually spread either by physical contact, contaminated feed or
water, or airborne antigens. If you have disease or infection on your acreage, you must
work closely with a veterinarian to bring it under control. A combination of treatment, dis-
infection, and quarantine can eliminate the spread of disease or infection and eradicate the
disease-causing organisms.
Sunlight, especially with dry, hot air, is a powerful disinfectant. Specific chemicals are
effective against certain organisms. Your veterinarian will advise you what to use.
Besides using healthy management practices every day, you can minimize problems by
routine immunization and quarantine. All horses should receive yearly immunizations ac-
cording to the recommendations of your veterinarian. All new animals should be quarantin-
ed on arrival and observed for at least a week before they are mixed in with resident horses.
Any horses that leave the farm temporarily, and especially if they have been exposed to a
large number of other horses, should be quarantined on return.
Carcass Disposal
It is a fact of life that someday your horse will die. If your horse dies of a disease, your
veterinarian can tell you what the procedures are for disposal of the diseased carcass. The
options for disposing of a 1200-pound carcass are limited. Cremation (about $1000) is ex-
pensive and not widely available for horses because of their size. Rendering plants that
handle dead horses are few and far between, and it might be difficult to get timely pickup
service. If you are lucky enough to have a large-animal disposal service in your area, get
a phone number and keep it current and available. Your veterinarian, farrier, or Extension
agent should be able to provide you with contact information. If you live in a suburban
area, your best option might be to have your veterinarian arrange for euthanasia and dis-
posal of your horse's carcass. Some landfills have a special section for animal carcasses
(approximately $150 for a horse).
