Skip to main content

IG012: MSU Veterinary Research Farm: Introduction of New Horses and Quarantine Procedures

IACUC Guideline Number: IG012, Approved By: CAR, Approval Date: 1/22/2025, Version: 2

Scope

This guideline applies to the introduction of new horses to the Veterinary Research Farm (VRF) at Michigan State University (MSU) for any purpose (e.g., teaching, research, or testing). The VRF is located on the MSU South Campus Farms and is managed jointly by the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM), Office of the Associate Dean of Research. The MSU Attending Veterinarian (AV) has ultimate responsibility for oversight of MSU-owned animals; the Farms Veterinarian is a designee of the AV and is integral to the coordination of new animal arrivals to the farm locations on campus.

Procedures for New Animals

1. The Principal Investigator (PI) and the Farm manager should identify the source of horses to be introduced to the VRF. Animals cannot be transferred to MSU VRF until all health history information is reviewed and approved by the Farms veterinarians or AV in consultation with Equine Clinicians from the College of Veterinary Medicine.

2) Timeline for notifications to initiate the introduction of new horses to the VRF:

  • The PI and the Farm Manager will coordinate communication regarding the intent to bring horses to the VRF so that arrangements for the safe and secure transfer of animals are made. These arrangements include a review of the originating source, planned date of arrival, time of delivery, and location for the physical examination of animals upon arrival to MSU. An equine clinical veterinarian will perform the physical examination at the Large Animal Clinic at the Veterinary Medical Center.
  • The PI is to provide animal health history, vaccination records, and medical information to MSUFarmVet@orrs.msu.edu for each animal to be introduced (please see requirements in #3 & 4, below).
  • Horses sourced from auctions may not have health information available. Such horses will be considered as a possible high risk for transmitting pathogens for contagious diseases. Examples of such diseases include strangles, equine influenza, equine herpes, among other infections. Quarantine for such horses will consist of housing at the maximum distance possible, away from the resident horse herds at the VRF.
  • The appropriate nutritional plan (feed, hay, supplements, feeding frequency) to meet the dietary needs of horses must be outlined well before arrival to allow enough time for the procurement of feeds. The VRF will supply roughage (fresh grass or hay) and water. It is the responsibility of the faculty clinician or PI to provide additional plans for additional supplemental feeds as necessary.

3) Only healthy animals will be allowed to be introduced to the VRF

  • Horses from outside the state of Michigan must meet the entry requirements set forth by MDARD, including the following:
    1. Official certificate of veterinary inspection from a USDA accredited veterinarian in the state of origin.
    2. Identification (digital photographs, microchip, detailed physical description of animal).
    3. A negative Equine Infectious Anemia test was performed in the last 12 months.
  • Horses originating from within the state of Michigan must meet the above requirements. If not available, EIA testing can be done while the horses are still at the Large Animal Clinic for initial evaluation.

4) Animal health pre-requisites before horses are to be transported to MSU:

  • Vaccination history from originating owner/farm/vendor
  • Deworming history and any fecal analyses (egg counts)
  • Medical record of any health conditions and medical treatments provided historically/currently

5) Animal descriptors that must accompany delivery of each animal:

  • Name
  • Individual identification (e.g., tag, tattoo, scars, brands, microchip)
  • Breed
  • Age
  • Body Weight
  • Sex
  • Color
  • Markings
  • Expected gestation stage and delivery due date (if applicable)

6) A medical record should be started at the time of physical examination and should be kept updated with daily entries as appropriate. Records will be kept in the care of the PI and should be easily accessible by Farms Veterinarian, Farm Manager, AV, or IACUC staff as needed.

7) Follow-up testing for Equine Infectious Anemia virus and fecal analyses may be requested within one week of introduction to the VRF. The costs of these tests will be the responsibility of the PI.

8) Quarantine Process for VRF Horses:

  • A distance of at least 50 yards is recommended between quarantined horses and horses of known health status to reduce the risk of contracting respiratory viruses (e.g., Equine Influenza viruses reportedly can travel for up to 50 yards in airborne droplets).
  • The location of quarantine will depend on the current location of resident VRF horses.
  • Farm manager and farm personnel or research personnel will monitor horses under quarantine for evidence of infectious and other diseases that impact the animal’s welfare and pose a risk to resident animals, including:
    1. Respiratory infection (cough, fever, nasal discharge, etc.)
    2. Other signs to monitor for include diarrhea, weight loss, and lameness.
  • If any horses in the other VRF pastures are experiencing any clinical signs of disease, veterinary assistance must be sought using the established communication guidelines (see Veterinary Medical Care Guidelines for the VRF)

9) Routine horse management and preventative measures can be instituted to quarantined horses, in accordance with Veterinary Medical Care Guidelines or at the order of an equine clinical veterinarian from the CVM. These health measures include vaccinations, deworming, hoof care, and dental examination and care. Once the quarantine period is completed, the horses can be comingled with resident horses as necessary.

10) Limit personnel traffic to areas where horses are under quarantine (vehicles and people) to that which is necessary.

11) Horses from the same source can be quarantined on the same pasture to allow for social interaction.

Reference

1) https://www.michigan.gov/mdard/0,4610,7-125-48096_48149-14223--,00.html