Barn Hygiene
Volunteers for Front Range Exceptional Equestrians need to recognize the importance of proper hygiene in and around an equine facility. The measures listed here are for the prevention of all types of communicable diseases. We hope you will read this carefully and follow the plan we have put in place for our horses’ health and safety. These guidelines are especially important for those of you who are active in more than one barn.
Disease Transmission Overview
Listed below are five main routes of disease transmission in horses, their causes and ways to prevent them:
4. Vector – Transmission of a pathogen between two animals through an insect. (Flies, ticks, mosquitoes are
common vectors.) Prevention: Insecticides and vaccines.
5. Fomite– This is the transmission of germs from an inanimate object to the horse. This can be from common
objects around the barn such as brushes, pitchforks, halters, tack, etc. Contaminated vehicles are also
considered fomites. Dirt from a contaminated facility on the wheels of a vehicle can also transport the pathogen.
Humans can also serve as fomites. Germs can be easily transported on contaminated clothing and skin from one
barn to another. Prevention: See below
As a community of staff, volunteers, parents and riders, we are all responsible for controlling the human fomite transmission of disease. There are a few simple things we all can do to prevent the spread of illness. The number one rule for disease control is cleaning. Clean clothing, clean hands, clean shoes/boots, clean barns.
Clothing:
Dedicated boots/shoes and clothing for use only at a specific facility (CSU Equine Center, Town & Country Stable, Legacy Stable, or your own facility)
Handwashing:
WASH YOUR HANDS!! Just as washing hands helps to reduce the spread of illness among
humans, the same holds true for horse germs passed through human contact. We ask
that anyone who enters a facility wash their hands, including fingernails, as well
as skin underneath rings. Please wash your hands using an anti-
The few added moments you dedicate to these guidelines will help to keep our horses healthy! Thank you for your help!
Front Range
Exceptional Equestrians