Equine BioGenie

As providers of bio-security for large-scale events, individual facilities, and top-level racing and sporting yards, Equine Bio Genie’s specialist disinfectant is proven against all known viruses, bacteria, fungi and spores, including Strangles, ringworm and EHV.  

Crucially, it's 100% biodegradable, non-toxic and organic compliant — vital on a green field site like Scone. Their 360-degree service covers air, surface and water, keeping every horse trials competitor safe.   

We caught up with Helen Tuckey, Director of Equine BIO Genie, who answers our questions. 

Every horse owner wants to do the very best for their horse. What was the gap in the market that inspired Equine Bio Genie, and what challenge were you determined to solve? 

There have been technological advancements made in areas outside of the Equine sector in order to combat potentially harmful micro-organisms, whether that is directly for human health or with the agricultural sector. It became apparent that the same advancements and protocols had not made their way to benefit the Equine population, so we filled this gap. Specifically, that gap was in the provision of not only a much more effective way to combat pathogens, but a much safer one for the user, the horses and the environment. 

 The challenge was to educate the end user in understanding why the status quo was inadequate and then present a viable and superior product and process backed by veterinary support. 

There are countless supplements and wellbeing products available today. What makes Equine Bio Genie genuinely different, and what should owners understand about the science or technology behind it? 

Equine Bio Genie is not in the supplement business, but there is a lot of time and money spent by horse owners deciding on which supplements to administer to improve health and performance – our message is that if your horses environmental health is not taken care of properly, then it will be a challenge to expect optimal performance from your horse when it spends so long in a stabling environment, and that pertains to a 360 degree basis through air, surface and water.  

Where EBG has made a difference is in the testing, treating and management of the equine environment along with helping people make the right choices and understanding what can be harmful, in what conditions certain micro-organisms thrive in and how to effectively manage them – not all disinfectants are made the same and we need to keep ahead of the ‘bugs’ – so EBG uses a unique silver stabilised H₂0₂ which is proven and tested in equine labs and practical scenarios at top equine hospitals. The product kills pathogens in a different way to regular disinfectants while having no resistance to it. 

Whether someone owns an elite event horse or a much-loved family pony, what kinds of horses can benefit most from your product, and how does it fit into a normal management routine? 

Good Biosecurity is important for all horses – regardless of size, ability, talent or breed. Horse can be affected in many ways from bad environmental conditions – Ringworm can live in wood indefinitely and does not discriminate between horses – likewise Aspergillus spores from mould, bedding or feed can manifest in the environment particularly in certain conditions, which can cause equine asthma and airway obstruction.  

It’s very important to note that when horses are immune supressed, they are more at risk of picking up an environmental ailment (bacterial, viral condition) so good hygiene can help prevent this for all horses. Travelling is just one of those risks. 

What are the most common misconceptions you hear from horse owners about supporting equine health and wellbeing, and what advice would you give to anyone looking to make informed choices for their horse? 

Some of the most common misconceptions about equine environmental health and wellbeing is to what extent certain bugs can thrive and survive in the environment and what are the best ways to combat them.  

A good example is the myth that ‘cold weather and a good frost will kill the bugs ‘ – there is some surface level truth to this and more relevant with something like ‘strep’ which causes strangles (it will not survive very long in an arid/hot environment) but a frosty day will only suppress the spores of certain bacteria and fungi (like ringworm) but will not kill them, so they will return if you don’t eradicate them.  

Another one is water – many people will assume their horses ‘prefer’ to drink dirty water – they don’t (much like dogs). They will elect to drink trough water over tap water die to the lack of chemical content. We must still aim to keep the water free of biofilm and bacteria whether in troughs, buckets or otherwise. E.Coli and Coliforms are all too apparent, and we know this due to extensive water testing we carry out on yards. 

BioGenie is the Title Sponsor of CHAPS (UK) Coloured Horse Classes (Native Open Ridden Qualifier and Non-Native Open Ridden Qualifier).