Q. How can my horse get to Oregon to do its CEM quarantine?
A. Farwood CEM Quarantine travels to Los Angeles to pick up horses once or twice each week with our own trucks and trailers. Our trailers are all slant load, air-ride, warm blood, or draft horse size. The horses are provided Timothy hay throughout the trip, and are offered water during the trip.
Q. May I pick up my horse from Los Angeles quarantine and haul it myself or have someone haul it to Farwood CEM Quarantine?
A. Yes - your horse will be sealed on the trailer and must come directly to Farwood Farm. There is a $300 fee for the unsealing of the trailer upon arrival.
Q. What happens when my horse arrives at Farwood CEM Quarantine?
A. The horses are trailored with a USDA Limited Transportation Permit Seal on the trailer. These seals are opened by our USDA Veterinarian as soon as the trailer arrives no matter what time. The horses are then examined, plus, respiration, stomach sounds and overall condition is evaluated. They receive a hot bran mash in their stall which is bedded in deep shaving, with Timothy hay and an automatic flood waterer as well as a big bucket of fresh water for those horses who do not use automatic waters. You will receive an email as soon as your horse is happily resting in their stall. If anything is of concern when the Vet examines them, you will receive a phone call immediately.
Q. What is Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM)?
A. CEM is a venereal disease of horses caused by bacteria and spread through breeding. Ultimately, CEM results in a mare's inability to conceive. Stallions can carry the bacteria, but do not show outright signs of the disease. The stallions must be bred to proven non-CEM carrying mares who are then tested as the incoming mares are. Federal law requires that all imported horses of breeding age (over 2 years) and ability from any country known to have CEM go to a CEM quarantine facility for testing and treatment.
Q. What is the CEM testing protocol for my mare?
A. Mares are cultured three times during their process and there is one blood draw. After the third and final culture, they receive "wash and pack" treatments for five days. Farwood Quarantine uses Silversulfadizine ointment instead of Furazone which is the more common ointment used. Silversulfadizine is very gently, does not cause blisters and is not carcinogenic, which is why we choose it over Furazone. The cultures are sent via FedEx overnight to the lab at Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Laboratory in Amarillo, Texas. Each set of cultures is set up and processed for seven days, then the results are emailed to Farwood CEM Quarantine.
Q. What is the CEM testing protocol for my stallion?
A. Stallions receive an initial culture when they arrive. When the negative result is returned from from that culture, the stallion will live cover test breed two mares. Both breedings take place on the same morning. We have a very successful program that allows the stallions to remain calm and relaxed around other horses, even after the test breeding. Give Penny a call for a more detailed run down. The stallion then receives a five day "wash and pack" treatment series (similar to sheath cleaning), then application of Silversulfadizine ointment. The remainder of tests are performed on the two test mares that have been assigned to the stallion. These mares have already completed the same quarantine process as an imported mare does during her CEM Quarantine (see above FAQ).
Q. What does my horse do when it is not in testing?
A. We are happy to provide a turn out or exercise program for your horse while it is at Farwood CEM Quarantine. The horses all go for a hand walk in our covered arena, which is attached to the main barn by an inside alleyway. The footing is GGX Premier fiber/rubber/engineered sand, and is worked twice a day. All horses are in brushing and bell boots when they are taken out of the stall. They can also be lunged or hacked walk/trot/canter if requested. We have outside turn-out pens with six foot welded pipe fences that are about 40 feet by 60 feet with sand footings.
Q. How will my horse be housed while at Farwood CEM Quarantine?
A. Horses stay in 12x12 box stalls with rubber mats on decomposed granite bedded in shavings. The stall fronts are screen halfway up so that, while securely contained, the horses can see out and about.
Q. Who will handle my horse while it is at Farwood CEM Quarantine?
A. We have a small professional staff that are not only experienced with horses, but have specifically worked with imported horses for many years. By having the same people taking care of your horse, we are able to get to know your horse and provide it with the individual care and attention they need to recover.
Q. Can I come visit my horse while it is under USDA Quarantine at Farwood Farm?
A. We welcome you to come visit your horse! Visits are by appointment, so just let us know when it works for you. The length of visits will depend on how many horses we have at the time. While we ask that the time set for the visit is respected, we will do our best to accommodate your visit. We are not able to host a full training schedule while your horse is in quarantine.