Can the Equine Industry Handle a Crisis? 2024 Data Suggests Not
In a period where infectious diseases like Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1), Strangles, and West Nile Virus pose significant threats, the question arises: Is the equine industry prepared to manage a large-scale biosecurity crisis? A recent study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) in 2024 sheds light on this pressing issue, revealing notable deficiencies in our current crisis management capabilities.
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Key Findings
The 2024 JAVMA study surveyed over 500 equine professionals, including veterinarians, trainers, and facility managers. Alarmingly, only 38% reported having a formal biosecurity plan in place, and a mere 22% had conducted any form of crisis simulation or training in the past year. These statistics highlight a significant gap between recommended best practices and actual preparedness levels within the industry.
Furthermore, the study identified a lack of designated biosecurity officers in many facilities, leading to unclear lines of responsibility during an outbreak. This absence of leadership can result in delayed responses and increased risk of disease spread.
The Importance of Biosecurity: Lessons from Recent Outbreaks
Biosecurity is not a new concept in the equine world. Organizations like the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) have long advocated for stringent biosecurity measures. Their updated guidelines emphasize the need for routine protocols, including isolation of new arrivals, regular health monitoring, and clear communication channels during a crisis.
Despite these guidelines, recent outbreaks underscore the industry's vulnerabilities. In 2024, the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) reported 577 alerts for 813 confirmed cases of disease in North America, with Strangles accounting for 186 cases. These numbers likely underrepresent the true prevalence, as reporting is not mandatory in all regions.
Supporting Evidence: A Pattern the Industry Can’t Ignore
The findings of the 2024 JAVMA study don’t stand alone - they echo a growing body of research highlighting long-standing vulnerabilities in the equine industry’s crisis readiness.
A 2020 report from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) underscored that most equine facilities lack standardized protocols for disease control, with less than half implementing routine quarantine procedures for new arrivals. This aligns with the JAVMA study’s finding that only 38% of respondents had a formal biosecurity or emergency response plan.
Similarly, a 2019 survey published in the Equine Veterinary Journal found that equine professionals frequently underestimated the risk of disease transmission at events and during transport: two key scenarios where outbreaks often begin. The study concluded that “compliance with even basic biosecurity measures was inconsistent across the industry,” a concern that persists today.
In another study by Spence et al. (2021), researchers evaluated biosecurity awareness among competitive horse owners and found that while 80% believed biosecurity was important, fewer than 30% followed best practices consistently. The gap between awareness and action is a recurring theme that continues to place horses and the industry at risk.
Together, these studies paint a clear picture: the 2024 JAVMA study isn’t an outlier, it’s a wake-up call. Despite years of evidence pointing to systemic under-preparedness, meaningful change has yet to take hold at scale.
Bridging the Gap
To move from a reactive stance to a proactive, resilient industry standard, the equine world must begin bridging the preparedness gap with deliberate and coordinated action. The 2024 JAVMA study makes it clear that awareness alone isn’t enough. We need systems, accountability, and ongoing engagement to protect horses and those who care for them.
First and foremost, every facility, regardless of size or discipline, should develop a comprehensive biosecurity plan. These plans must go beyond vague intentions and clearly define protocols for disease prevention, early detection, and emergency response. This includes everything from isolating new arrivals and documenting daily health checks to outlining step-by-step procedures for suspected outbreaks. The more detailed and accessible these plans are, the more likely they’ll be used effectively when needed.
Equally critical is the designation of a biosecurity officer or coordinator. This individual doesn’t need to be a veterinarian but should be trained and empowered to implement and oversee biosecurity measures. Having a clear point of responsibility ensures faster decision-making and a more coordinated response during emergencies, two factors that can drastically reduce the spread of infectious diseases.
Regular training and simulation exercises should become standard practice, not afterthoughts. These exercises don’t just test preparedness; they build muscle memory, clarify team roles, and expose gaps in the current system that can be addressed before a real crisis occurs. In an industry where turnover can be high and roles vary widely, consistent training ensures continuity and competence across all staff levels.
Infrastructure investment is also key. Many facilities still operate without designated quarantine spaces, adequate sanitation stations, or proper personal protective equipment (PPE). These aren’t luxuries, they’re necessities. Funding, whether through internal budgets, grants, or industry partnerships, must be prioritized to provide the physical tools needed for effective biosecurity.
Finally, perhaps the most important and most overlooked step is cultivating a culture of vigilance. Biosecurity isn’t just a protocol; it’s a mindset. It requires open communication, regular dialogue, and shared responsibility among everyone involved, from grooms and barn managers to veterinarians and event organizers. Encouraging continuous learning, rewarding good practices, and destigmatizing honest reporting of health concerns will help shift the culture from reactive to preventative.
Bridging the gap means moving from knowing what we should do to actually doing it, consistently, collectively, and without hesitation. The future of equine health depends on it.
Your Role in Strengthening Biosecurity
Are you prepared for a large-scale biosecurity threat? This is your opportunity to reflect on your current practices:
- Do you have a formal biosecurity plan in place?
- Have you conducted recent training or simulations to prepare for potential outbreaks?
- Is there a designated individual responsible for overseeing biosecurity measures at your facility?
By addressing these questions and taking proactive steps, we can collectively enhance our industry's resilience against biosecurity threats.
Reference List
Black, R. A., Traub-Dargatz, J. L., Tracht, K. A., & Kopral, C. A. (2024). Equine industry stakeholder perspectives on emergency preparedness and response capacity in the United States. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 262(11), 1287–1296. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.24.04.0248
American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP). (2024). General Biosecurity Guidelines. Retrieved from https://aaep.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/AAEP-General-Biosecurity-Guidelines.pdf
Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC). (2024). Be Pro-active Rather than Reactive with Biosecurity. Retrieved from https://equinediseasecc.org/news/article/Be-Pro-active-Rather-than-Reactive-with-Biosecurity
Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC). (2024). Disease Alerts & Case Reports. Retrieved from https://equinediseasecc.org/alerts
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). (2020). Biosecurity practices on U.S. equine operations. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Retrieved from https://www.aphis.usda.gov
Boden, L. A., Parkin, T. D. H., Yates, J., & Mellor, D. J. (2019). An investigation into biosecurity practices at equine events and during transport in the UK. Equine Veterinary Journal, 51(4), 475–482. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13081
Spence, A. J., Kemple, K. R., & Gilbert, R. O. (2021). Biosecurity awareness and compliance among competitive horse owners in the United States. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 190, 105323. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2021.105323
Black, R. A., Traub-Dargatz, J. L., Tracht, K. A., & Kopral, C. A. (2024). Equine industry stakeholder perspectives on emergency preparedness and response capacity in the United States. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 262(11), 1287–1296. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.24.04.0248
