Horse Owners Urge West Tennesseans to Test Horses After Virus Scare
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JACKSON, Tenn. — West Tennessee animal owners are taking action after six horses are infected with a deadly virus. The Redemption Road Rescue group in Jackson is urging all horse owners to test their animals for Equine Infectious Anemia or Coggins, after a half-dozen horses in McNairy County were infected with the deadly virus. “Anytime a horse owner hears a Coggins test is positive in our area it’s always a concern,” Lori Collins said, a Redemption Road Rescue member. Medical experts say the deadly virus is spread through dirty needles or insect bites. Officials say the virus is more common in West Tennessee than the rest of the state because of a higher mosquito population. Collins says Redemption Road will be especially careful when adopting horses. “If we do a horse rescue before we leave the property, we try to have a vet in to pull Coggins and get Coggins results before the horse ever leaves that property,” Collins said. The state requires testing for Coggins once a year, but only if the horse will be transported, spending time around other horses or will be up for sale. Tina Wooley raises horses in Pinson and says she’ll keep a closer eye on her horses, because she lives so close to McNairy County. “If you’ve got a horse that has EIA and you don’t know it, then you’re taking a chance of infecting every horse around you,” Wooley said. Wooley reminds fellow owners to check on the health of their horses every day. “If you buy a horse through a sell barn, always make sure, always make sure,” Wooley said. “If you buy a horse anywhere, make sure they have a Coggins paper.” Once a horse tests positive, owners are required by law to isolate them or have the horse euthanized. R&J Feed and Supply in Jackson will offer Coggins testing on Saturday from 8 A.M. to 12 P.M., for $15 an animal.
