The Stanley Agricultural Society (SAS) has made testing for a deadly disease mandatory for any animals that will be at SAS events.

The disease, known as Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) or Swamp Fever, has been diagnosed in a number of horses in Manitoba.

Similar to HIV in nature, EIA is transferred through blood, by breeding animals, in utero, milk, and from small amounts of blood in the mouths of biting insects.

SAS Light Horse show Director Tanya Schobert, explains it's a serious concern for Ag Societies and horse owners.

"There is no cure and because it is a reportable disease with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), it has to be reported, and then they have to be euthanized."

The disease is detected through a blood test called a Coggins test, invented by Dr. Leroy Coggins in 1970.

The test can be administered by any large animal veterinarian, and the animal will be given a certificate for document purposes if the test comes back negative.

Schobert says that testing isn't mandatory by the provincial government, but they want to protect animals and bring an awareness of the disease.

"We're just trying to be proactive, and taking it seriously. Even though it's rare, we're taking it seriously because horses have been diagnosed in Manitoba this year, and that's why we thought we should be proactive rather than reactive."

Schobert continues by saying getting a Coggins test is more work, and costs a little bit, but it's important as a responsible horse owner to protect your animals, and any animals your horse will be exposed to.