Farm Animal Training :: Horses

The following precautions are extremely important to protect yourself and your family from disease while working with horses:     

• Many diarrheal illnesses (such as salmonellosis) are the direct result of fecal-oral contamination.  To prevent this and other zoonotic diseases, gloves should be worn whenever there is exposure to a horse’s excreta or body fluids, such asin an invasive procedure.  Hands must also be washed after glove removal and frequently throughout the day.
• There should be no eating, drinking, applying lip balm or smoking is allowed in areas where pigs or their excreta are present.  Always wash your hands prior to eating, drinking, smoking, or applying cosmetics.
• Report sick horses immediately, so the University Vet can diagnose, treat, and prevent the spread.
• Designated protective clothing and shoes should be worn, and these are to be kept and laundered at the Swine facility.  It can be particularly dangerous to bring these organisms home to your family members.  A normal, healthy adult may have only mild symptoms when infected with a zoonotic disease, but the same organisms can be fatal to infants, the elderly, and those with a weakened or suppressed immune system, such as people without spleens, people taking cortisone and other medications, people on chemotherapy or  radiation, those with cancer, diabetes, AIDS or renal failure, etc.

·        If you suspect your immune system may be abnormal, seek medical attention for diagnosis, treatment and determination as to whether or not animal exposure is safe for you. Do this immediately!

Horse Bite Germs:  Horses can bite, and if the skin is broken there are several organisms that can produce wound infections.  Actinobacillus ligneresii also has been known to cause systemic illness in humans.  It is important to wash any animal bite with soap and water and obtain medical care.  

Leptospirosis… a group of bacterial zoonotic diseases fouond in cattle, swine, dogs, equine fetuses, wildlife, water, field voles, raccoons, and human beings.  Transmission is most commonly by water contaminated by urine from infected reservoir hosts or wildlife and recreational exposure (i.e., swimming or splashing in contaminated water).  Leptospirosis  also occurs in abattoir and sewer workers, veterinarians, farmers, field workers, and laboratory workers.  Ingestion, accidental parenteral inoculation, and direct or indirect contact of skin or mucous membranes with cultures or infected tissues or body fluids (especially urine and blood) during handling, care, or necropsy are the primary laboratory hazards.  The incubation period is usually 7-13 days, and the onset is usually abrupt, with influenza-like symptoms.  These include fever, headache, chills, severe myalgia ( especially calves and thighs). Gastrointestinal symptoms can also occur, as can conjunctival suffusion (with resulting eye redness). The illness lasts from a few days to several weeks and may progress to renal, liver, respiratory failure, cardiac failure or central nervous involvement.  It sometimes results in death.  Prompt recognition and specific treatment with antibiotics is essential.  Gloves are recommended for the handling and necropsy of infected animals and when there is the likelihood of direct skin contact with infectious materials.

RABIES…is universally fatal.  Transmission occurs through a bite, scratch or abrasion from an infected animal.  Farm animals can be bitten by a rabid dog, coyote, cat, raccoon, skunk or bat, or an infected herd mate and then become infected.  Rabid animals of all species exhibit signs of central nervous system disturbances once they are past the early incubation stage, but prior to that may show no signs at all and yet still be infective.  Sometimes infected horses bite other animals or people at the slightest provocation and some infected cattle will butt objects or act like they have something caught in their throat.  Report all animals showing central nervous symptoms to the University Veterinarian and the unit supervisor, and also report any bite wound or scratch.  If rabies is suspected the animal will be quarantined or else necropsied upon death, to determine if rabies treatment is needed for those who were exposed.