Most equine events happily welcome spectators. But these individuals can pose a unique equine health threat of which horse owners should be aware. Learn how to protect your horse.

Biosecurity Risk: Visitor contact with event horses can spread infectious disease agents between animals and humans. The biosecurity risks facilities pose can range from minor to major, depending on existing protocols:

• High Biosecurity Risk—There are no restrictions regarding visitor access to horse stabling area and horses.

• Medium Biosecurity Risk—There is restricted visitor access to horse stabling area and horses, but visitor-to-horse contact is permitted in competition areas. 

• Minimal Biosecurity Risk— Visitors are restricted from accessing the horse stabling area and no direct visitor contact with horses is permitted.

Biosecurity Fix: Organizers: During a disease outbreak, restrict access to horses to the owners, riders, and agents, and designated personnel only. Owners: Give careful thought to letting spectators touch your horses at events.

And as always, remember to provide a safe and healthy environment for your horse by practicing good biosecurity at your farm and while traveling