Setting up an isolation unit

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:

1.

located outside rather than in a barn

2.

located away from other horses

3.

which have solid walls from floor to ceiling to create a physical barrier and eliminate shared airspace

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:

1.

If possible, stable horses in the groups in which they travel and refrain from stabling the horses directly next to each other. It is useful to identify dedicated storage areas for the belongings of each horse to avoid them from being mixed up and used on other horses.

2.

Attach a clipboard containing the FEI’s Temperature Monitoring Record outside each stable for the recording of rectal temperatures.

3.

Identify a changing area near the entrance of the isolation stables so that clothing and footwear worn in the restricted area are not worn elsewhere.

4.

Provide hand washing facilities as well as hand disinfection gel for everyone handling horses. Make sure you provide separate protective clothing and footwear for those handling and treating sick horses.

5.

​Communal water troughs must not be used.

6.

Keep a map of where each horse is stabled in the isolation unit and the dates during which the horse was stabled there. This is particularly helpful information for your veterinarian should any of the horses become ill.
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