Austrotforum

THERE ARE 3 ELEMENTS TO THE CONTROL OF HENDRA

(1) Prevent contact between fruit bats and horses

(2) Monitor your horse carefully

(3) Maintain rigorous personal hygiene

12 STEPS TO “HENDRA PROOF” YOURSELF AND YOUR HORSE

(1) RISK ANALYSIS Always assess the situation and circumstances surrounding yourself and your horse and make a judgement as to the possible risk of a problem

(2) MAINTAIN A “PERIMETER” AROUND YOUR PROPERTY You go to all the trouble to protect yourself and your horse. Do not rely on your neighbour to do the same. Maintain a perimeter so that horses across the fence cannot contact each other

(3) “QUARANTINE” ANY NEW HORSES A critical issue. Remember the incubation period where an infected horse can appear normal. Isolate any new horses that arrive at your property. Most important for spelling breeding and training farms

(4) IDENTIFY ALL PLANTS AND TREES Know the identity of all plants and trees on your property and whether they are likely to be potential food sources for bats

(5) ELIMINATE FRUIT BAT FOOD SOURCES If you cannot remove dangerous plants or trees, at least fence them off or prevent your horse having any access

(6) FEED & WATER HORSES IN OPEN SPACES or INDOORS Do not feed or water horses near any possible site where bats may feed, roost, or perch

(7) STABLE HORSES or HOLD in “SAFE” YARDS at NIGHT Bats are most active at night. Ideally do not allow horses outside where bats may be traversing or feeding

(8) TPR YOUR HORSE DAILY So easy and such a basic monitor of your horses health. Any deviation in the horse’s temperature, heart rate, or respiration is something all owner’s should know and is a primary indicator of the horse’s health

(9) CLINICALLY ASSESS YOUR HORSE Owners know their horse and intuitively will pick when the horse is not themself. Investigate thoroughly any changes in signs, symptoms or behaviour (10) WASH YOUR HANDS The most important factor of all. Strict personal hygiene is the key component in avoiding infection

(11) WEAR DISPOSABLE GLOVES Always have a box of disposable gloves on hand. Wear them if doing anything with a horse that involves contact with body fluids

(12) WEAR PPE IF IN ANY DOUBT Do not, in any circumstances, approach or attempt to do anything potentially invasive with any suspect horse without adequate personal protection equipment. Leave it to the experts

Please feel free to call and discuss