THE importance of a good bio-security plan heading into the winter months cannot be stressed enough. Good bio-security practices are vital to minimise the risk of harmful pathogens entering your yard. Harmful bacteria and viruses cause great cost to the equine industry every year. Having worked in stud farms and racing yards in Japan, Ireland and England - I know first-hand the importance and value of a good bio-security plan.

Bio-security means securing life. It is important to be aware of disease threats and to not only prevent disease from infecting your own horses, but to prevent it from spreading to others also. If a horse in your yard is sick good bio-security measures could be the difference between an isolated case and an epidemic. Preventing disease with barriers such as regular disinfecting and good hygiene are key components of bio-security. Bio-security is also important in minimising the risk of a sick horse suffering from a secondary infection. For example, horses who contract the strangles virus often suffer from a secondary infection causing pneumonia, which could be fatal unless the right measures are in place to prevent infections.