Some horse owners feel inclined to keep opossums away because they can be carriers of the neurologic disease, EMP. But did you know that that risk is actually quite low and opossums can provide a number of benefits when it comes to protecting your horse from tick-borne illnesses?
By Dr. Abby
The Importance of Opossoms for Equine Health
Save our opossums! Did you know that opossums are major consumers of ticks and other insects?
One opossum can eat over 5,000 ticks in one year. Thus making them helpful creatures for decreasing the tick load present in your yard and equine pastures.
Opossums are often hated by horse owners due to their link to EPM (equine protozoal myeloencephalitis). However, it is estimated that of the 50% of horses exposed to the protozoa that cause EPM, only 14 of 10,000 horses will develop clinical disease. That means that it is not guaranteed that exposure to opossums or opossum feces equals disease!
