Equine Guelph is launching its first-ever online course on equine biosecurity from April 16-29 for horse owners and caregivers. Over a two-week period, attendees will learn how to best protect horses by identifying risks of infectious disease in a barn and applying practical methods to reduce risk of disease and illness in horses.

"Attendees of this online course will get a detailed explanation of the various aspects of infection control and have an opportunity to discuss the topic with industry experts," says Josie Traub-Dargatz, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVIM, a professor of equine medicine and epidemiology for Colorado State University’s veterinary school in Fort Collins. "Infection control is an important part of caring for your horse(s). Assessing your current control plan in an objective way through use of the biosecurity calculator, which is part of the course, can help you identify strengths in your control plan. It can also help you determine if there are areas you may want to discuss further with your veterinarian based on identified low scores."

Equine Guelph’s "Beat the Bugs with Biosecurity," program promotes biosecurity throughout all sectors of the horse industry. The program is funded through the Agricultural Biosecurity Program, part of the Best Practices Suite of programs under Growing Forward, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative. The Agricultural Adaptation Council assists in the delivery of several Growing Forward programs in Ontario.

"Beat the Bugs" has been developed by with the assistance of its 12 industry partners, including two partners from the United States: American Association of Equine Practitioners Foundation, Colorado State University, Central Ontario Standardbred Association, Grand River Agricultural Society, Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, Ontario Association of Equine Practitioners, Ontario Equestrian Federation, Ontario Harness Horse Association, Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association, Ontario Veterinary College, Standardbred Canada, Vétoquinol Canada Inc. and Woodbine Entertainment Group