GUELPH – Equine Guelph has upgraded its biosecurity risk calculator, an online healthcare tool designed to help horse owners and caretakers assess and manage infectious disease risks.
The Equine Disease Communication Centre (EDCC) partnered with Equine Guelph to enhance the tool’s educational resources and outreach.
“The enhanced tool provides users with easy access to vital information and personalized risk assessments,” officials stated.
“This tool empowers the equine community to take proactive steps in preventing the spread of infectious diseases.
“In just 10 minutes you can calculate, manage and minimize biosecurity threats to keep your equine friends healthy by going through 10 categories for your barn’s score.”
Key features of the new biosecurity risk calculator include:
– personalized risk assessment: users can input specific information about their horses and facilities to receive tailored biosecurity recommendations;
– educational resources: with EDCC as a new partner, the tool now includes updated educational materials on disease prevention and management; and
– new user-friendly interface: the tool is designed to be intuitive and easy to navigate, making it accessible for all horse owners and caretakers.
“We are thrilled to partner with EDCC to bring an enhanced interactive experience and new educational resources to our biosecurity risk calculator,” said Equine Guelph director Gayle Ecker.
“This collaboration will provide the equine community in both the U.S. and Canada with the up-to-date knowledge and tools they need to protect their horses from infectious diseases.”
“Disease does not respect borders, and this partnership (between the EDCC and Equine Guelph) ensures that vital information about infectious diseases is shared promptly across broader regions, helping horse owners stay informed and take preventive measures,” officials stated in a press release.
“The EDCC is pleased to partner with Equine Guelph to help support and update the biosecurity risk calculator, which will help improve horse health around the world,” states EDCC director Nathaniel White.
“This unique tool gives horse owners the biosecurity information needed to decrease the risk of infectious disease at their farm or facility.”
The calculator includes information from quarantine protocols, best practices for cleaning, easy to understand practical access management tips and a barn poster that is free to download.
Equine Guelph officials said they wish to thank Dr. Josie Traub-Dargatz and Dr. Alanna Kirby (Colorado State University), for providing content and Dr. Katie Flynn (United States Equestrian Federation), Dr. Krista Estell (Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine), Dr. Scott Weese (Ontario Veterinary College) and Dr. Alison Moore (Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs) for reviewing and updating content.
Equine Guelph officials also thanked the Equine Disease Communication Center and American Association of Equine Practitioners’ Foundation for the Horse and for their support.
For more information about the new biosecurity risk calculator and to access the tool visit thehorseortal.com/BiosecurityTool.
