Secondhand Tack and Disease
Secondhand equipment can sometimes harbor the causative agents for contagious illnesses that can affect you or your horse. | Photo: Erica Larson

Watch out for contagious consignments; don’t bring a disease home to your horses when buying used tack or even sharing equipment with your friends.

Buying used tack can be a boon for your pocketbook, giving you a chance to own that perfect saddle or bridle for a lot less than it would cost new. The downside is that secondhand equipment can sometimes harbor the causative agents for contagious illnesses that can affect you or your horse. Here’s what to watch for the next time that bargain is too good to pass up.

The Creeping Crud And The Flu

For a horse that’s generally healthy, the good news is that a few precautions can prevent most disease transmission. The key is in knowing what’s contagious via equipment, how it’s transmitted, and what you can do to contain the spread

Create a free account with TheHorse.com to view this content.

TheHorse.com is home to thousands of free articles about horse health care. In order to access some of our exclusive free content, you must be signed into TheHorse.com.

Start your free account today!

Already have an account?
and continue reading.