Biosecurity with a mobile lesson program?

[WildGooseChase]

I have a mobile lesson program and am travelling all over SE Michigan now. I currently travel to 4 different facilities, and follow my students to show grounds as well.

That being said, we did just have a decent sized strangles outbreak down in our tri-county area, and with that resolving with none of my personal or student’s horses/facilities being affected, how would you go about biosecurity? I didn’t travel for about 2 weeks as a precaution, but now that I am back at it, I want to know trade secrets to avoiding spreading any disease inadvertently.

Here’s my current protocols:

1. Hands are washed properly right before leaving, and hand sanitizer is used when I reach my vehicle.
2. I avoid hand feeding, or touching my students horses unless necessary (I don’t teach rank beginners).
3. I ask each student to notify me immediately if horses present ill for any reason at any time.
4. I do not travel to facilities with known ill horses, or facilities still within the appropriate QT period for their respected illness.
5. If I need to travel to the facility my horse is boarded at, I go there first, and travel to lessons afterward to avoid bringing illness in.
6. I don’t share equipment or tack between facilities. Not even halters anymore.

I do plan to get a spray bottle so I can use some bleach water on my shoes between facilities, but what else can I do to make sure I am doing my due diligence?

[hoopoe]

Get several pairs of pull on overshoe/ galoshes that can be changed between facilities. You can rinse and disinfect at end of day. Do not enter vehicle with dirty boots

These type pull on can be found vis Amazon for about 10-15/ pair

[Equisis]

I have a mobile business as well. I spray shoes if there is any concern, and wash hands/avoid touching. All my students use their own tack so no issue there. I ride some horses as well so I am careful about hand washing when I leave those places, and if I use anything of my own, I disinfect it before I put it back in the truck. I’m a former ambulatory vet tech so have some experience with bio security and disinfection techniques. It’s a good idea to carry a change of clothes with you for a number of reasons, one of which being you wind up at a facility that has a sick horse, and you’re unaware until you’ve already been there.

It’s also worth noting that any professional that travels between facilities (trainers, vets, farriers, bodyworkers, etc) carries some risk. I have it written into my liability release and client agreement that they understand that this risk cannot be mitigated fully. They also sign that they will disclose any illness on the farm, at any point, prior to my arrival for a scheduled lesson or ride.

[WildGooseChase]

I will re-write my waiver and clear with my insurance. They are completely aware that I travel, but my waiver doesn’t specifically state that the risk of disease cannot be mitigated entirely. I do have it in my client agreement/rules that I am to be notified of any ill horses, no matter the illness, before I come out. If I have already been out, I am still required to be notified.

PS the change of clothes is a great idea. My day job is in the food production industry, and I usually have a change of clothes hanging around anyways.

Thank you!

[trubandloki]

I agree on the foot covering or foot bath point. Your current arrangement sounds good except the germs you are carrying about on your feet.