The american horse council (AHC) will increase biosecurity awareness and improve biosecurity practices and protocols at equine welfare organizations (ewos)

The American Horse Council Inc. has received a $276,078 Cooperative Agreement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025), effective September 1, 2025, through August 31, 2027. The project aims to increase biosecurity awareness and improve biosecurity practices at equine welfare organizations (EWOs) across the United States. The American Horse Council will conduct comprehensive assessments of existing biosecurity knowledge within EWOs, identify critical gaps in current protocols, and develop targeted interventions to strengthen biosecurity procedures and enhance access to necessary resources and supplies.

The deliverables under this cooperative agreement include an evaluation of the biosecurity knowledge base within equine welfare organizations, improved biosecurity protocols and procedures, and enhanced access to biosecurity resources and supplies. By standardizing and improving biosecurity practices across EWOs, the project will support disease prevention and management efforts that protect at-risk horses and benefit U.S. horse owners nationwide by preventing economically devastating equine disease outbreaks.

While these organizations play a vital role in equine protection, many face challenges maintaining standardized biosecurity protocols. This project will raise awareness about consistent biosecurity practices and help these organizations improve protocols to prevent and manage the spread of disease. The AHC will evaluate the biosecurity knowledge base within ewos, identify gaps, improve knowledge and use of biosecurity procedures and protocols within ewos, and improve access to resources and supplies. This project will help improve the welfare of at-risk horses and the programs that are supporting them in a whole new way. The project benefits U.S. Horse owners in all states by preventing economically devastating horse disease outbreaks.