Equine infectious anemia has no treatment and is managed through testing and culling. Understanding welfare implications of control programs helps horse owners navigate difficult decisions.
EIA control creates welfare tensions between the welfare of the infected horse and the biosecurity requirements that protect other horses. EIA-positive horses in inapparent carrier status may appear completely healthy and have good subjective welfare, yet policy requirements mandate either euthanasia, lifelong strict quarantine, or permanent vector-controlled housing. The welfare of quarantined horses depends entirely on whether the quarantine arrangement meets their behavioral and social needs - a horse quarantined in an appropriate environment with social contact and adequate care has good welfare despite positive status, while a horse in inadequate quarantine suffers welfare harm from both isolation and environmental deprivation.