The feeding of a palatable, balanced diet is important to a horse's health. Poor nutrition makes a horse less able to build immunity and more susceptible to disease. Good animal housing should provide uncrowded shade and shelter while retaining adequate ventilation. Generally, horses are more healthy if allowed free access to shelter, as proposed to being forcibly confined. Horses stabled for more than 12 hours per day tend to have more problems with respiratory disease and colic.
Disinfection is defined as the killing of microorganisms.
Disinfectants don't work well in the presence of dirt or manure so thorough cleaning is necessary before disinfection. Disinfections of a stall between animals is a good way to prevent the spread of microorganisms between horses. Isolation of new arrivals on the farm for 30 days allows the new animal time to get over any disease which it brings with it. Isolation of sick animals reduces the spread of contagious diseases. Careful, regular observation of animals results in disease being noted earlier, when it is easier to treat more successfully.