I have no stance on a particular side. I just have another negative experience to share. I help run a boarding facility in Western WA. A very kind family adopted two horses from CBER in late summer of '08 and brought them to our stable to live. The gelding was lame at the trot on a right circle the day they arrived and was never sound.
Within 2 weeks the mare came down with the strangles infection as described by others who adopted horses during that spring. Luckily, I found it in time and was able to quarantine the infected one and save the other eight residents at the barn (some quite elderly) I'd hate to think how this story may have played out otherwise.
This was a hardship on me as well as the residents, having to vaccinate them all, keep them out in the elements, stop the farrier at the gate to advise him and then sterilize the entire barn. (Before the internet boom and the ability to buy from anywhere, strangles in W. Washington was quite rare)
I would ask anyone running a public facility to always offer a quarantine program for their new equine residents EVERY TIME. Also, those hauling out to shows and other recreation should be vaccinated to the nines or they jeopardize the health of all residents at home.
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