23/03/2024
Jumping up on my soap box for this one
As of today, March 22nd, I have made the decision to re open my barn and get my horses back outside tomorrow.
I will leave the two positive cases isolated as our risk of transmission is minimal and continue to monitor them.
The frustration lies in the lack of support and communication all around. I understand updating sciences but the baseline hell I just went through to be told contradictory opinions on how to proceed, if at all, was nothing short of abusive.
To summarize on my decision:
Nasal shedding of S. equi bacteria usually begins 2-3 days after onset of fever and often persists for 2-3 weeks. The only horse to make contact with the infected horse during this window was the only other horse living in the paddock
I have barricaded the only section of fence (luckily a corner) with spare panels to maintain a quarantine at least 10 – 25 metres away from other horses.
I have Incubated and monitored the non contact for 10 days since the “fever”, and 8 days since the second positive. 17 days without any issues since the first “barely positive”. Just to be sure.
This first positive horse is going to continue its isolation in a facility better equipped to help. I am not set up for prolonged isolation.
I will continue to monitor my herd for the inclusive 21 days post initial positive.
I will disinfect the surfaces of this paddock to allow a safe start for our horses tomorrow and again once we leave for the next business moving in.
I have two barely positive horses with no symptoms, full isolation of them both, and caught the low grade “fever” before 24 hours went by.
I will continue with all applicable biosecurity after tending to the affected horses, as will their owners.
If you are not a “text book” case your prognosis is “ultimately up to you.”
This is why we have consistent cases in our area. The wellbeing not to mention the livelihood of others is left to your individual discretion. The stigma around strangles comes with a mile long rap sheet. So when cases like this arise, there are no answers.
More often than not the horse gets a finger over the mouth and handed off instead of isolated and treated. Why any one would let this walk out their front door to potentially take down the next farm is something I will never understand. So all we can do is tell our stories, and try to give the next farm a leg up.
Lucky for me, my routine allowed me to notice and get control of this quickly. Lucky for the rest of our horses the owners of the two affected horses stepped up and emptied their piggy banks to get this sorted out ASAP as best they could with the information they had. And for that I endlessly thank you both.
I have an incredible community of people behind and beside me who made this as easy as possible. We all have a horse shoe up our hind ends for this one for sure. But I know the next farm may not be so lucky. Transparency in these situations is the only key to success we have. Argue facts, not opinions.
My inbox is always open, my phone number is easily accessible. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions at all.
Advocate for your horses, advocate for your clients, advocate for you. This industry is difficult enough.
Thank you for reading,
Cheers, I know I need one,
Mackenzie
