Have you been curious about your horses and coronavirus? We truly are living in unprecedented times. The current coronavirus pandemic has affected just about every person in some way, in every continent and country across the globe. Many have lost jobs and businesses, life has been massively restricted, and unfortunately, many lives have been lost. As a horse owner, you might be wondering specifically how the pandemic will affect you and your horses- the way you can care for them, spend time with them, and whether they can be affected by the illness. Read on to find out more.
What is Coronavirus?
First things first, it makes sense to have an overall understanding of what coronavirus is before we look at it in context to horses. Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that cause illness and disease, and they originated in animals. These viruses have been around for hundreds, possibly even thousands of years. However, until very recently, they have never been able to infect humans.
COVID-19 is a type of coronavirus, which occurred due to an animal virus mutating. Thought to originate in a seafood market in Wuhan, China, these ‘wet markets’ provided the virus with ample opportunity to cross species. This was due to live and butchered animals being kept in close quarters with poor sanitation processes and exotic species being in close proximity to each other (which does not happen in the wild). So while coronaviruses in animals are nothing new, COVID-19, a form of coronavirus, is a new form of the virus that can infect humans.
What type of Coronavirus do horses get?
Before the pandemic occurred, you may have heard of coronaviruses in horses or Equine Coronavirus. This is not the same strain of the virus as COVID-19. While they’re from the same family of viruses, Equine Coronavirus can only affect horses and COVID-19 can only affect humans. Many horse lovers have been left wondering if their beloved horse can catch, spread or infect them or other humans and the answer is no. The COVID-19 virus has mutated in a way that only binds to cells in the human respiratory system. It has been shown in research that apes can be infected with COVID-19 and do experience some symptoms. However, we share much more of our DNA with this species than we do with horses, cats, dogs, cattle, and other animals.
What Is Equine Coronavirus?
Equine coronavirus causes disease in both individual animals and groups of horses, with symptoms including anorexia, lethargy and fever, diarrhea, and mild colic. Serious complications associated with infection include septicemia and encephalopathy associated with hyperammonemia. However, these complications are rare, and most horses recover with the right care. Equine coronavirus is an enteric, or gastrointestinal, a disease in horses, whereas COVID-19 is a respiratory illness in humans- so despite being from the same family of viruses, they do present in different ways in each of these species.
There is no evidence that equine enteric coronavirus poses a threat to humans or other species of animals, as research has clearly shown that Equine Enteric Coronavirus and COVID-19 are not the same strain. There is no indication that either is transmissible between species (source). The CDC, along with multiple international and national human and animal health organizations, has also stated that there is no evidence to indicate that horses could contract COVID-19 or that they would be able to spread the disease to other animals or humans.
Can my horse get it?
You’ll be reassured to know that you can’t catch or spread COVID-19 to your horse; however, there are other issues surrounding horse ownership, which have become difficult due to the pandemic. Training, riding, and moving your horse (unless necessary) aren’t deemed as essential, so they are things you won’t be able to do under strict lockdown restrictions. You are still allowed to take care of your horses, but be very careful and be sure that you’re respecting social distancing guidelines when going to care for your horse. After using shared yard equipment such as wheelbarrows or hoses, wash your hands and use an antibacterial spray to disinfect all shared equipment.
It could be worth finding a reputable equestrian training company in San Juan Capistrano during this time to take care of your horse if you’re unable to do so yourself, for example, if you become ill and have to self isolate. Here at Reveal Equestrian, we have trainers that are dedicated to developing a program that is versatile and personal to each rider and horse and can ensure your beloved horse is well cared for during this time.
As a horse owner, your animal is incredibly important to you, and you’ll want to ensure that they’re still receiving the right care during this time. You can still look after your horse, just be sure to adhere to social distancing and hygiene guidance and have a backup plan in case you become unwell. If you would like more information, please visit our website or give us a call.
