Biosecurity Tip of the Month: Dogs at Event Facilities

Dogs can pose horse health risks in some cases. Consider these tips before bringing your pup along to your next event.
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Horse owners are also frequently dog owners, so it should come as no surprise that dogs often accompany their owners to competitions, clinics, and other equine events. But dogs can pose horse health risks in some cases. Consider these tips before bringing your pup along to your next event.

Biosecurity Risk: Dogs might carry infectious disease agents from one location to another on the event premises, potentially exposing horses to infectious disease agents. Depending on the protocols facilities have in place, the biosecurity risk to your horse can range from minor to major, or be somewhere in between:

  • High Biosecurity Risk—There are no restrictions for dogs on the event grounds.

  • Medium Biosecurity Risk—Dogs are required to be on leash at the event, but leash policy is not enforced.

  • Minimal Biosecurity Risk—Dogs are not permitted on the event grounds and policy is strictly enforced.

Biosecurity Fix: Organizers, restrict dogs from horse stabling area and have and enforce a leash policy for dogs on the event grounds. Owners, consider leaving your dog at home or with a friend for the day.

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

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The Horse: Your Guide To Equine Health Care is an equine publication providing the latest news and information on the health, care, welfare, and management of all equids.

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