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Preventing disease spread through bio-security

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How Bio-Secure Is Your Yard?

A Quick Risk Evaluation Exercise for Horse Owners

Preventing the spread of disease is vital to keeping our horses healthy. But have you ever stopped to think about your own biosecurity risk?
Take this quick exercise to find out where you stand.

👉 Give yourself one point for each statement that applies to you.

 

  1. Where are your horses kept?
  • Private yard
  • Livery yard
  • Competition yard
  • DIY livery yard
  • Stud

 

  1. Do you have any visiting professionals?
  • Farrier
  • Vet
  • Physio
  • Saddle fitter
  • Dentist
  • Instructor
  • Clipper
  • Freelance groom
  • Weighbridge
  • Nutritionist
  • Hay/feed/straw deliveries
  • Bit fitter
  • Alternative therapist

➡️ Add 1 extra point if you have more than one of the same professional visiting (e.g. two farriers).

 

  1. What do you use your horses for?
  • Hacking (alone or with friends)
  • Pleasure rides
  • Lessons off your yard
  • Clinics
  • Shows
  • Other activities that take your horse out in public

 

  1. Do you ever stay away overnight with your horse?
  • Shows
  • Clinics
  • Camps
  • Horsey holidays
  • Competing abroad
  • Schooling/rehab livery
  • Veterinary hospital
  • Stud
  • Other overnight stays

 

  1. Transport
  • Own horsebox/trailer
  • Hired (self-drive)
  • Hired (with driver)
  • Shared transport (friends or commercial)
  • Professional transporters
  • International transport

 

  1. Other animals on your yard
  • Farm animals
  • Poultry
  • Dogs
  • Cats
  • Visiting dogs

 

  1. Other visitors
  • Family
  • Friends
  • People trying horses

 

  1. Type of horses
  • Young
  • Old
  • Pre-existing health conditions
  • Rescue

 

 Scoring

Now add up your points:

  • Low Risk = 1 – 17 points
  • Medium Risk = 18 – 34 points
  • High Risk = 35 – 50 points

 

What next?

Understanding your level of risk is the first step to improving your yard’s biosecurity. Even small changes—like disinfecting equipment, managing visitor flow, or keeping clear records of horse movements—can make a big difference.

We work with yards across the UK to develop biosecurity policies and introduce practical steps to reduce risk. Protecting your horses starts with awareness.

 

Top Tips for Better Biosecurity

  •  Clean hands, kit & boots before and after handling different horses.
  •  Don’t share tack, brushes, or buckets between horses unless disinfected.
  •  Disinfect stables and transport between different horses.
  • Control visitor access – keep a log of who’s been on the yard.
  • Quarantine new arrivals before turning them out with others.

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