We, as horse lovers, all know that horses project elegance. From their fluid gait to their gentle mannerisms, horses embody all that is grace. In fact, anyone who has spent a lot of time with them would be hard pressed to deny that horses seem to carry themselves with the utmost confidence, knowing that they are a thing of beauty. How then can something as seemingly small and innocent as a bird, or even a mosquito, pose such a deadly risk to an animal with such tremendous qualities?
The reality is that birds, and specifically the droppings they leave behind, are extremely dangerous to horses. Birds have the ability to carry equine diseases such as West Nile Virus (WNV), equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) and viral equine encephalitis (VEE), which includes the eastern, western, and Venezuelan varieties.
The transmittance of the aforementioned diseases occurs largely from the interaction of animals with one another. In scientific terms, WNV and VEE use birds as living hosts. While mosquitoes are the primary mechanism by which these diseases are transferred from birds to horses (or humans), EPM can be spread directly to horses through bird droppings. A horse can also become infected by the droppings of other animals, such as possums, which feast on the carcasses of infected birds and then subsequently spread the disease.
As these viruses enter a horse, they attack the central nervous system and cause serious and often fatal damage. Infected horses do not become contagious themselves, so multiple infected horses within your stable likely means that each horse has had individual contact with the fecal matter.
The financial loss that can occur when a horse becomes infected is even more alarming. As a proprietor of a stable, you will have to not only pay for the treatment of your horse, but face the discerning possibility that your horse, which you have likely invested hard-earned money into raising, may potentially die from the infection.
Wildlife management plans that address bird infestations are essential to stables of any size.

Plan of Action
Upon first contemplating the issue of how to protect your horses, you must keep in mind that the horses will be in contact with whatever bird control strategies you choose. It’s therefore extremely important that your control methods are non-lethal and pose no harm to the horses or birds. Additionally, lethal strategies not only pose large risks to the horse, they are only temporary solutions. While the initial birds may be eliminated using deadly methods, new birds will soon be back to make use of the available resources in a barn such as food, water and shelter. Truly effective control strategies change the environment permanently and make it unappealing to the birds, ensuring that they will not return.
Before employing a bird control strategy, you must clear the area of nests, feathers and any dead birds. With the space free of obstructions, what were once roosting sites can now be converted into undesirable environments for the pest birds. Physical barriers, such as spikes, netting or sticky gel, can be applied on and around perches. Other more technologically advanced methods that can be used are sound and sight devices. Sonic devices that play recordings of birds’ distress calls, as well as predator cries, convince the birds that such an area is highly unsafe.
Yet another option is visual deterrents, which include holographic tape or specialized bird-scare balloons that often resemble predators such as an owl. The most effective products of this nature incorporate movement through the use of wind or via holograms. Often, scare balloons that use such holograms make the bird believe that the eye on the balloon is tracking them, just as an actual predator would do. However, one must not forget that birds are quick to adapt, so stationary visuals will become ineffective if their location is not altered from time to time.
Because wildlife can rarely be controlled with a 100 percent success rate, areas containing feed, bedding and tack should remain netted off from birds at all times. In the event that a dead bird is found in the barn or on the property, call animal control so it can be tested for diseases. Never handle a dead bird with your bare hands.
Despite the dangers of bird droppings and the potential risk they pose for your horses, the good news is that with proper strategies and effective control methods the problem can be eliminated. In short, rather than spending time worrying about pesky birds endangering your beloved horses, you can now fully concentrate on appreciating the beauty of your healthy and vibrant animal.
Dan Hyman is the media correspondent for Bird-X, Inc., the experts in “green” bird control for over 40 years. For a free consultation call 800-662-5021 or visit www.bird-x.com.
Article provided by Bird-X.