A ridiculous question, but I've got to ask for peace of mind

[Ravenwood]

Is there any possible threat/risk to horses of TB from infected cattle?

I know, I have never heard of any horse having TB ever but I learnt today the cattle have tested positive for TB and although the horses don't graze in the same field as them, they are in almost adjoining fields and I could put them in a field that the cattle have grazed off.

Please reassure me that my horses are not under any threat - I am stupidly paranoid!

 

[Geraldine]

I've been led to believe not but I off to research on t'internet!!!

 

[spaniel]

Its unlikely BUT there has been spillover of cow TB into the human population and also into pigs, farmed deer, goats and other livestock in the past.

It may be worth a call to your vet so they can put your mind at rest and also let you know how big or small the risk actually is.

I grew up in a farming community where we had TB in cattle but never came across any horses who contracted it dispite many liverying on farms with cows.

Id be interested to hear a vets view on this.

 

[piebaldsparkle]

My understanding is that there is a small risk of horses catching TB from infected cattle (but believe they have to have close contact), as long as they can't touch or share a water trough, they should be O.K. Don't think there is much chance of the picking up of the pasture (unless they graze it immediately after the cattle come off), **Water trough should be thoroughly cleaned 1st though. Might be worth calling your vet to double check, but I can't recall any horses with TB, despite knowing several that used to run with cattle.