How do I know which is the best area of my yard to set up an isolation unit?
The best types of stables to use are those:

The material from which the stables are made should also be considered as this can impact the ability to clean and disinfect them effectively. 

Wooden stables have porous, rough surfaces which make cleaning and disinfection very difficult. Modifications can be carried out, such as filling holes and knots in the wood with plastic wood products or caulking, and applying marine varnish. This results in a smooth, waterproof surface that is easy to clean and disinfect.

Concrete blocks also have porous, rough surfaces which can trap organic matter. Appling enamel or heavy duty outdoor paint results in surfaces that can be easily cleaned and disinfected.

Asphalt floor can be washed and disinfected easily. Sand, dirt or compacted clay floors cannot be adequately cleaned.

Isolation unit access

Only personnel who are looking after the horses in the isolation unit should be given access. This is to prevent the possibility of disease transmission to other horses. Physical barriers constructed around the isolation unit can help to set clear boundaries and prevent inadvertent access.

Always make sure that any other horses are not walked in close proximity to the isolation unit.

Stabling of horses
When planning the stabling of horses in isolation, there are a number of key actions and considerations to be aware of:

Strict biosecurity practices must be implemented in isolation units to limit any potential for disease transmission within and outside the unit.

Monitoring horse health
The rectal temperature of each horse should be taken and recorded twice daily for the duration of the isolation. Fever can be an early sign of infection. If a horse develops a fever, it must be examined by a veterinarian.

As well as monitoring the horse’s temperature, it is important to assess the horse’s general appearance. Look out for discharge from the eyes or nose, changes in the consistency and number of droppings, how much feed and water the horse has consumed and how the horse is standing.

If any horse develops a fever or clinical signs of disease while in the isolation unit, you must contact your veterinarian.

Feed and water
Avoid using feed mangers that are integrated into the stable fittings if possible; feed from buckets instead. Water buckets should be filled using a hose or directly from a tap. The water bucket must not come into contact with the hose or tap. Do not lower the hose into the water when filling buckets.

Stables, feed mangers and yards should be kept clean, free of standing water, thoroughly scrubbed and cleansed with an appropriate detergent/disinfectant after use and then allowed to dry.

Personnel
Strictly limit access to only personnel who are looking after the horses. Ensure that everyone accessing the isolation unit understands the hygiene principles.

When working in the isolation unit ensure that you change your clothing before attending any horses that are not in isolation.

Always wash your hands thoroughly between handling each horse in the isolation unit.

Barrier clothing, waterproof footwear as well as disposable gloves should be used when working with sick and in-contact horses and disposed of or, laundered and disinfected, after use. Clothing worn in the isolation unit must be washed at the end of each day.

Attend to sick horses last e.g. feed, water and treat, or use separate personnel to care for these horses.

Equipment
EHV can be transmitted between horses via equipment, which is why precautions must be taken when using equipment associated with horse care.

Horse specific equipment e.g. feed and water buckets, head collars, should be clearly marked as belonging to an individual horse and only be used on that horse.

Shared equipment e.g. lead ropes, thermometers should be cleaned of organic debris and disinfected between horses.

Equipment that cannot be properly disinfected e.g. sponges or brushes must not be shared between horses.

Pets
Dogs, cats and other animals must not be allowed into the isolation unit. This is to prevent the potential for disease transmission within and outside the unit.

Departure of horses from the isolation unit
During isolation, horses must not leave the isolation unit. It is essential that the full period of specified quarantine is observed as advised by the FEI, your National Federation or local Veterinary Authority, along with additional time for the processing and evaluation of test results.

Horses must only be released from the isolation unit once they have fulfilled all testing requirement and on the advice of your veterinarian.

Clean and disinfect stables after use
Once a horse has left the isolation unit, you must clean and disinfect the stables. The FEI has published a guide to cleaning and disinfecting stables which can be accessed here.

The rectal temperature of each Horse should be taken twice a day and entered in the FEI HorseApp.
In accordance with the FEI Veterinary Regulations 2023, it is required to enter the two daily temperature recordings in the FEI HorseApp for the three days prior to the day of arrival at a FEI Event as well as every day when stabled at the FEI Event.

Please click here to see how to see how to enter Horse temperatures on the FEI HorseApp.

How to clean and disinfect stables
It is essential to implement high standards of hygiene to eliminate the virus from the horse’s environment and prevent transmission to other horses. Stables and horse transporters must be cleaned and disinfected before they are used between horses.

Cleaning and disinfecting stables is a multi-step process:

​Which disinfectant should I use?
There are a number of disinfectants available for use however it is important that the most appropriate and effective disinfectant is used with respect to the horse’s environment.

The ideal disinfectant must be biodegradable, safe for animals and humans, ensure it is suitable for farm use, effective in the presence of organic matter and effective with respect to the local water hardness and ambient temperature.

Phenolic disinfectants are the most preferred for use in the equine environment. Iodophores are not often used in the equine environment and more suitable for the washing of hands and equipment. Quaternary ammonium compounds, hypochlorites (e.g. bleach), chlorhexidine and pine oil are not recommended since they are ineffective in the presence of organic matter. Formaldehyde disinfectants are highly toxic and not recommended for use in the equine environment.

Contagious diseases can not only be transmitted from one horse to another through close contact, but also via equipment and clothing. It is very important to ensure that these items are cleaned and/or disinfected after use, between horses.

Shared equipment e.g. lead ropes, bits/bridles, twitches, thermometers, grooming kits etc. should be cleaned of organic debris and disinfected between horses.

Feed mangers and buckets should be kept clean, free of standing water and thoroughly scrubbed and cleansed with an appropriate detergent/disinfectant after use and then allowed to dry.

Cloth items e.g. stable rubbers, towels, bandages etc. should be laundered and thoroughly dried between each use. Disinfectant may have to be used as part of the rinse cycle.

Footwear and barrier clothing e.g. overalls must be laundered and disinfected after each use.

Disposable overalls and gloves should be carefully discarded after each use.