Pilot Study Investigating Fecal Shedding of Salmonella spp. by Horses Used in Competition

This pilot study was performed to determine the need for future investigation of the effect of transportation, environmental changes, and athletic competition on fecal shedding of Salmonella spp. in sport horses. Fecal samples were collected once daily from 20 healthy horses that were competing in National Collegiate Athletic Association equestrian event that occurred over a 3-day period. The horses were divided into four groups with five horses per group. The groups were divided based on travel distance. Fresh fecal samples were collected daily and cultured for Salmonella spp., through bacterial culture, for a minimum of 3 days for three groups that traveled to compete and for 15 days for a group that was housed at the competition location. All fecal samples were negative for Salmonella spp. Although this was a pilot study with a small sample size and limited collection days, the results of this study question the effects of the stress of transportation, new environment, and athletic activity on fecal shedding of Salmonella spp. in horses. A larger study, however, is needed to further investigate these findings.