Managing New Arrivals: Practical Biosecurity Without Compromising Welfare or Yard Integration

Bringing a new horse onto a livery yard is always a moment of excitement for owners, but it also carries a degree of responsibility for yard managers. With equine infectious disease cases increasing in the UK in recent years, and awareness rising thanks to initiatives like Redwings’ Stamp Out Strangles campaign and the ongoing reporting through the Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance programme, more yards are rightly prioritising robust new-arrival biosecurity procedures.

But while isolation and separation are essential, they can also be one of the biggest welfare challenges. How do you keep a new horse safely separated while still allowing them to feel part of the yard? How do you avoid the stress of true isolation without compromising the biosecurity standards that protect every horse on the premises?

The good news is that effective new-arrival protocols don’t have to mean hiding a horse away at the far end of the yard or behind closed doors. With clear planning, the right equipment, and good communication with owners, isolation can be carried out humanely, safely and without unnecessary stress for horses or people.

Isolation Doesn’t Need to Mean Loneliness

Psychological wellbeing is as important as physical protection. A new horse should not be placed in complete social isolation unless absolutely necessary. Instead, the aim is controlled separation—reducing the risk of nose-to-nose contact, shared airspace, and cross-contamination, while still allowing the horse to see other equines and observe normal yard activity.

Yards with open designs, such as American barns, can make this easier. Horses can feel included while still being safely separated, provided the right precautions are taken. But even on more traditional yards, simple, practical measures can create a safe but sociable environment that supports the new horse’s welfare and helps smooth the transition to their new home.

Separation of Horse, Equipment and People

Biosecurity relies on minimising opportunities for disease to spread. That means thinking beyond simply placing the horse in a different stable.

Key measures include:

• Dedicated equipment: New arrivals should have their own mucking-out tools, grooming kit, feed buckets, water containers and tack storage. Nothing should be shared until the isolation period ends.

• Hygiene protocols: Clear handwashing procedures should be in place for anyone handling the horse. Ideally, handlers should change clothing or overalls when moving between horses—or, on full livery yards, a single dedicated groom can manage the isolated horse to reduce risk.

• Foot dips or disinfectant points: These can help reduce contamination risks in high-traffic areas.

• Separate turnout (if permitted): Some yards allow restricted turnout in a separate paddock; others maintain full stable isolation. Either way, paddocks should not share boundaries where horses can make direct contact.

  
  

These simple steps, when consistently applied, significantly reduce the risk of spreading infectious diseases.

Making Separation Safe, Simple and Welfare-Friendly

For many yards, the real challenge is maintaining separation in shared spaces without making horses feel shut away. This is where practical tools can make all the difference.

Products from NN Solutions, such as the e-Stall Guard and biosecurity drapes, offer easy-to-use, welfare-conscious options that improve both safety and practicality.

• Biosecurity Drapes:

  These clear drapes can be quickly hung at a stable entrance to prevent nose-to-nose contact while still allowing visibility and airflow. The transparency means the horse can see neighbouring horses and watch the daily activity of the yard—reducing stress and helping them settle.

  
  

• e-Stall Guard:

  This self-regulating training tool helps deter behaviours such as leaning, reaching, or nipping over stable doors—common behaviours in new horses adjusting to a new environment. It also provides a physical reminder not to attempt contact with other horses, supporting the biosecurity barrier while also benefiting the horse’s manners and long-term behaviour.

  
  

Together, these products offer a practical, yard-friendly way to maintain separation without compromising welfare or the social needs of the horse.

Isolation Isn’t Hard — It Just Needs a Plan

Many yard owners worry that isolation procedures are difficult, time-consuming, or expensive. But with increased awareness of the real consequences of infectious disease outbreaks—both the welfare impact on horses and the financial burden on yards—more businesses are recognising that a small amount of effort up front can prevent a much bigger problem later.

Simple, structured isolation procedures:

• Protect the resident herd

• Support new horses as they settle in

• Reduce stress for owners and staff

• Strengthen the yard’s professional standards

• Demonstrate commitment to welfare and best practice

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With the right approach, and with supportive tools designed for practical yard use, biosecurity doesn’t have to be disruptive. Instead, it becomes a natural part of maintaining a healthy, happy, and well-managed yard.

New arrivals deserve the best start, and the resident horses deserve protection. Biosecurity achieves both—and when done thoughtfully, it can be smooth, kind, and completely manageable for everyone involved.