Using Computer Simulation to Prevent Equine Disease

News

“Horse shows are a huge part of the horse industry. Some competitors travel to multiple arenas, grounds, and private facilities each year, some across state lines or even national borders. Those competitions can be festering ground for many equine diseases that a horse owner can unknowingly bring back to their own barn. As such, owners should take steps to prevent equine disease spread during and after competitions.

In a new study from Kelsey Spence, PhD, and her colleagues from the University of Guelph’s Ontario Veterinary College, in Canada, computer simulation models were used to assess the risk of disease spread from horse events and the effectiveness of various control protocols in the face of the outbreak at a home stable.

“A computer simulation model is essentially a virtual representation of a situation we could see in real life,” said Spence. “We end up with a virtual scenario that tries to represent what we see in real life.”

They used equine influenza, a well-researched virus, as the disease model.”

Read more here.

POST DATE: 08/24/2018

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Texas heat is hard on our entire herd, but especially for our seniors like Jericho here. Older equines struggle with regulating their body temperature, have trouble breathing, and can become dehydrated quickly. The cost of caring for them adds up fast — can you send a gift and help us prep for the season?

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