During the final months of the previous year, many of us were immersed in monitoring an equine disease outbreak in real time, constantly refreshing our phones for updates.
When news of the EHV-1 outbreak started to circulate, inquiries arose rapidly. I received text messages from fellow equestrians and screenshots from friends preparing for major competitions. Social media was abuzz with posts spreading like wildfire. Within hours, it seemed as though everyone had heard something, but not everyone was clear on the accurate details or the actual situation.
In today’s world dominated by social media, it’s effortless to notify a large number of people simultaneously about an outbreak. This ability is potent. However, it also generates a lot of misinformation, causing panic. People hear something through a friend of a friend, share it online, and before long, it morphs into a game of telephone.
Episodes like this underscore two crucial factors: the importance of biosecurity and the significance of accessing verified information.
That’s why, in the event of an equine disease outbreak, we disseminate confirmed disease reports through EDCC Health Watch, sourced directly from the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC), an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to open-access infectious disease reporting.
The Responsibility of Sharing
However, another critical aspect that is equally vital is how we handle all information.
It’s simple to react, share, or forward something swiftly with a casual “Have you seen this?” But in times like these, taking a moment to pause can be one of the most responsible actions we, as horse owners, can take.
One of the articles in this edition delves into precisely that topic. In “Fact, Fiction, or Somewhere in Between,” Dr. Barb Crabbe guides us through seven practical steps for evaluating horse health claims and discerning science-backed information from speculative gossip. It’s not about doubting everything you hear; it’s about taking the time to ensure its accuracy.
This principle extends far beyond outbreaks. The same level of caution applies when it comes to the latest health trends or supplements promising miraculous results.
When It Gets Personal
This lesson hit close to home for me after my own mare underwent multiple colic surgeries and a colon resection.
In the initial days following her return home, I monitored every aspect of her well-being—her diet, behavior, and temperature. Simultaneously, my phone was flooded with well-intentioned advice: suggested supplements, recommended feeds, and shortcuts for recovery that had worked for others.
Although the advice came from a place of goodwill, instead of taking drastic measures, I consulted my vet, and together we devised a plan. When I stumbled upon a product claiming to aid horses with chronic colic, I took the time to research it thoroughly and determine if it was truly suitable for my mare.
Choosing Credible Sources
Whether it’s an equine disease outbreak impacting the industry or a health crisis affecting an individual horse, the underlying principle remains consistent.
Responsible ownership entails more than just following protocols. It involves asking pertinent questions, pausing when emotions are heightened, and making decisions based on reliable information rather than reacting impulsively in the heat of the moment.