Dejection, loss of appetite, fever, paralysis, abortion, death. Rhinopneumonia can kill a horse in just a few days. Faced with this scourge, amateurs and professionals in Boulonnais are extremely vigilant and are implementing a drastic health protocol.
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In Alquines, a small village in Boulonnais, Isabelle Darras vaccinates Prince. A beautiful 30 year old white horse. A resident of the Stables of Mont Addor, like 40 other equines, he is examined for a long time by Isabelle, veterinarian, horse specialist and sentinel of the VigiRESPE network – epidemiological surveillance network in Equine Pathology – who watches for the slightest signs of this extremely contagious disease : rhinopneumonia.
“It is a disease which, like all viruses, circulates quietly. We detect it thanks to the temperature, by looking at the horse which is not well, which has no appetite. We listen to his breathing. You have to be very vigilant.”
Isabelle Darras, veterinarian, vaccinates Prince against equine rhinopneumonia
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© FTV
A small injection to protect Prince from this infection caused by the equine herpes virus. Harmless to humans, this virus is very contagious in horses, particularly through the mucous membranes. “Horses catch it through an aerosol, if one horse coughs next to another for example. But also by liquids.”
In the event of contagion, the horse must be quarantined, explains Isabelle Darras, a sort of confinement like for covid. “This is what happened with this epidemic, a sick animal contaminated other horses at a rally.”
On November 25, the equine pathology epidemiological surveillance network, Respe, identified nine outbreaks, including one in Yvelines and one in Orne, resulting in eight horse deaths. So to avoid spread, she recommends vaccination.
As with equine flu, there is a vaccine against rhino pneumonia
A vaccine, protection which is not obligatory for all horses. This is why for Gaelle Rozé, owner of the pension which welcomes Prince and the forty other horses and ponies, protection must be maximum: “We made the decision not to move anymore: no return trip, it’s a bit of an embarrassment, but in terms of the health of the horses it’s nothing at all.“
Gaelle Rozé welcomes around forty horses and ponies to board in Alquines in Pas-de-Calais
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© FTV
A few km away, in Capelle-lès-Boulogne, the same concern and just as many precautions for Bruno Leleu, president of the Boulonnais riding school. “First thing, we disinfect! Saddles, bits, bridles” explains Bruno.
Bruno Leleu president of the Boulonnais riding school association in La Capelle-les-Boulogne in Pas-de Calais
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© FTV
“We have also put in place a protocol for the farrier, there are buckets of bleach water to disinfect his tools. Another protocol for the owners who come to us to take lessons with their horses: they no longer have access to the stables, the riding school and the yard is very important, we have some horses here who are not vaccinated. We must protect them! “
To date, no cases in Hauts-de-France, but certain competitions remain canceled.
At the start of 2025, the epidemic has declined significantly, but the French Equestrian Federation is still calling for vigilance throughout France.
