Equine Infectious Anemia and the Coggins Test

The Gallatin Valley had a wake-up call this spring. There were two reported positives for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA). What we have since learned is how little we really know about this disease.

Here are a few facts that might help you, as a horse owner, make better decisions about the care of your horse. First of all, the name of the test done to see if the anti-bodies for EIA are present is called the Coggins test. Generally, those of us who show have to get an annual Coggins test done and be able to produce a yellow paper with a negative result to the show secretary, along with the required proof of vaccinations. This also holds true when horses are sold through a sale and/or you are crossing state lines with your horses.

Due to the two positive horses, many of the local equine events, including poker rides, have required a negative Coggins from 2010. I think that was a logical and sensible decision, but there are still problems with this. For example, when a horse is infected with EIA, it may take from 2 weeks up to 2 months to test positive. Which means that there are probably a good number of false negative tests out there, even for 2010.

Horses can test positive and not show any signs or symptoms at all, while others get really sick, and/or die. Sadly, even though a lot of research has been done, there is not vaccination for EIA yet. Apparently the disease hides so well inside the horse, it has been difficult for researchers to pinpoint a possible vaccine.

The disease is spread from one horse to another by biting flies. The good news is that the disease only seems to survive in the biting flies for about 20 minutes. The quarantine range has been set at 200 yards, so if you stay smart with your choices during fly biting season, you can help reduce the risk to your horses.

That is a really brief over-view and if you have more information regarding this topic I would love for you to add a post. The more we can learn about this disease, the better chance we have of keeping our horses safe and still being able to do all the fun things we love to do with them.

Oh, I should add that the two horses that tested positive have gone to a research facility where they will stay for the next 5 years. They are drawing blood on them periodically and sending it to test labs to make sure they are testing accurately. I was very happy to hear that these local horses didn't have to be put down.

A New Year!

It's time to dust off our saddles and start thinking about the upcoming riding season! I, for one, am getting a little stir-crazy to be riding consistently again. My young mare, Bellini, and I are headed for a couple months of indoor luxury at Holloway's Pretty Good Horse Barn.

The calendar is already filling up with fun equine events for 2010, including two Bozeman Dressage & Combined Training Club Hunter Paces, several Dressage shows and lots of trail rides. We rediscovered Bohart Ranch last summer and plan to spend a lot of time up there again this year.

We have a wonderful crew of active riders at my facility, Holiday Horse Care. If you have an interest to see what we did last year, you can check out the HHC Current Events tab on my main website.

Happy Riding!

Rosi Slater