My trailer will be used tomorrow to transport a horse that has been identified as having salmonella. Of course, I want to disinfect it afterwards. What should I used? I have heard bleach can damage the steel. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
Posted 2011-06-19 4:39 PM (#134966 - in reply to #134961) Subject: RE: disinfect steel horse trailer
Veteran
Posts: 201 Location: Lincoln, NE
I'd check with a vet. THe vet clinics have something they use to disinfect kennels and operating areas which I can't think of the name of.
Park the trailer so it's facing uphill a bit then wash out thoroughly with soap and hot water. Wear gloves, too. Rinse well then let drain and sit open to the sun and breeze. If you can pull the mats, too,, before washing and wash them separately and leave outside for the sun and wind to dry and disinfect.
Posted 2011-06-20 9:37 AM (#134990 - in reply to #134961) Subject: RE: disinfect steel horse trailer
Veteran
Posts: 231 Location: Illinois
When I travel to any Trail ride where stalls are available I disinfect the stall before even unloading my horse..I lost a gelding shortly after a major ride in Missouri several yrs ago...and it was Salmonella... what I use is DC&R disinfectant, It is a bactericidal, fungicidal, and virucidal made by: Hess & Clark Inc. from Ashland, Ohio...you mix 1 ounce to a gallon of water and spray down EVERYTHING...comes in a 1 gallon jug..it has last me sever yrs now...I do not travel anywhere with out a sprayer filled
Vet recommended this brand..I purchased it from an AG catalog ( do not remember which catalog )
Loosing a horse to Salmonella is not a pretty sight...broke me heart..I had only had him 15 months and it was a huge hit not to mention an eye opener.. Good Luck and be safe !!
Posted 2011-06-20 2:55 PM (#135000 - in reply to #134961) Subject: RE: disinfect steel horse trailer
Location: Georgia
I used my trailer to haul a friend's horse to the vet hospital and they had a disinfectant system set up outside just for the purpose of disinfecting trailers. You could ask the vet and your destination before you go.
Posted 2011-06-21 12:58 PM (#135017 - in reply to #134961) Subject: RE: disinfect steel horse trailer
Regular
Posts: 95 Location: Seattle "pshaw, its not raining hardly at all!" WA
bleach is an awesome disinfectant but it will pit your metal like crazy unless you rinse it VERY well, not to mention the noxious fumes. GIven the nooks and crannies, I'd go with another disinfectant.
Plain old soap and HOT water works great on pretty much anything (we use it a lot here in the lab), phenolics work great too.
one thing..most disinfectants dont work well if they have to chew through organic material to get to the cooties. A good scrubbing with hot water and soap to get the poo, snot, slime and such off first, and then follow with a disinfectant known to work on salmonella (not all do) is best. Go to your favorite real farm store and read labels, there's bunches out there. ones that are ok for use on dairies are likely least toxic and least residue creating.
here's a great article on HOW to disinfect a large surface (like a trailer).
Posted 2011-06-22 3:37 PM (#135051 - in reply to #134961) Subject: RE: disinfect steel horse trailer
Member
Posts: 23
Location: GA
Thanks all. Your advice is much appreciated. The vet is giving us a disinfectant that we can put in a hose end sprayer. (I can't remember what it is at the moment) I'm going to spray and respray to make sure every surface is covered. To Much Trouble, I am so sorry about your gelding :(
disinfect steel horse trailer
