“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.“ says Nathaniel A. White II, DVM DACVS, Director-Equine Disease Communication Center.
Guelph, ON Feb 12, 2025 - Equine Guelph is excited to announce the relaunch of its newly upgraded Biosecurity Risk Calculator, an innovative online healthcare tool designed to help horse owners and caretakers assess and manage infectious disease risks. The updated tool also comes with the announcement of a new education partner, the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC), enhancing the tool's educational resources and outreach.
The Biosecurity Risk Calculator is now available for free at TheHorsePortal.com/BiosecurityTool. The enhanced tool provides users with easy access to vital information and personalized risk assessments. This tool empowers the equine community to take proactive steps in preventing the spread of infectious diseases. In just ten minutes, you can calculate, manage, and minimize biosecurity threats to keep your equine friends healthy by going through ten categories for your barn’s score.
Key Features of the new Biosecurity Risk Calculator:
• 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.
• 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 US and Canada with the up-to-date knowledge and tools they need to protect their horses from infectious diseases."
The unveiling of the new Biosecurity Risk Calculator highlights Equine Guelph's commitment to advancing equine health through education and innovation. Through sharing knowledge with EDCC, who communicate infectious disease reports for both Canada and the USA, Equine Guelph aims to promote a more informed and proactive equine community. Disease does not respect borders, and this partnership ensures that vital information about infectious diseases is shared promptly across broader regions, helping horse owners stay informed and take preventive measures.
The Biosecurity Risk Calculator is a tool designed to assess and mitigate risks associated with infectious diseases. By making this tool accessible, Equine Guelph empowers the equine community to take proactive steps in safeguarding their horses' health. This initiative reflects a commitment to continuous education and innovation, fostering a culture of vigilance and preparedness. Ultimately, such efforts contribute to a healthier, more resilient equine population, benefiting the entire community.
“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.“ says Nathaniel A. White II, DVM DACVS, Director-Equine Disease Communication Center. “This unique tool gives horse owners the biosecurity information needed to decrease the risk of infectious disease at their farm or facility.”
Equine Guelph’s Biosecurity Risk Calculator (TheHorsePortal.com/BiosecurityTool) is full of important information from quarantine protocols, best practices for cleaning, easy to understand practical access management tips and more. You will also find a helpful barn poster that you can download for free.
Equine Guelph thanks 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 thanks 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 TheHorsePortal.com/BiosecurityTool.
Stay tuned to Equine Guelph communications for Vaccination Education Month this March. The month will kick off with an opportunity to enroll in Equine Guelph's Sickness Prevention in Horses short online course offered on TheHorsePortal.ca for FREE for those registering on World Horse Day, Mar 1!
About Equine Guelph:
Equine Guelph is a centre for equine research and education at the University of Guelph. Dedicated to the health and well-being of horses, Equine Guelph provides resources, research, and educational programs to the equine industry as well as free interactive healthcare tools for horse owners.
About Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC):
The EDCC is an industry-driven information center which works to protect horses and the horse industry from the threat of infectious disease in North America. The center is designed to seek and report real-time information about diseases similar to how the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Center (CDC) alerts the human population about diseases in people. The EDCC is based in Lexington, Ky., at the American Association of Equine Practitioners headquarters, with a website hosted by US Equestrian. The EDCC is funded entirely through the generosity of organizations, industry stakeholders, and horse owners. To learn more visit www.equinediseasecc.org
Story by: Equine Guelph
Web Link(s):
Story web link: https://thehorseportal.ca/2025/02/equine-guelph-launches-biosecurity-risk-calculator-2-0-with-new-partner-equine-disease-communication-center-edcc/
Other web links:
TheHorsePortal.com/BiosecurityTool or https://thehorseportal.ca/biosecurity-risk-calculator-tool/
Sickness Prevention in Horses short online course: https://thehorseportal.ca/course/sickness-prevention-in-horses-spring-25/
Equine Guelph communications sign up page
https://equineguelph.ca/about/sign-up/
Source: Equine Guelph