Elite Equine

11/19/2025

Some more information regarding the EHV-1/EHM outbreak. Please take this seriously. If you are coming home from the BFA, you MUST follow strict quarantine protocols for the next 14-21 days!

To everyone else inquiring what they should do, stay home with your horses, do not travel with them even to local events. No show, rodeo, clinic etc is worth the risk of your horse getting sick!

EHV-1/EHM

As the situation is on-going, and travel back from the BFA and other events is occurring continued biosecurity is essential to minimize spread. These horses should be isolated for the next 14-21 days.

Quarantine:
All horses returning from events with known EHV-1/EHM cases should follow strict isolation protocol. They should be at least 30 feet away from any other horse (clusters of horses having traveled together may be quarantined in tight knit groups), no nose to nose contact with other horses, no sharing of buckets, tack, pitch forks, halters and lead ropes, etc between quarantined horses and other horses. Change your clothes or wear disposable personal protective equipment (PPE) including shoe covers while handling quarantine horses. Horses should have their temperature checked twice a day (fever if >101.5F; normal if

11/19/2025

There has been confirmed exposure to EHV-1/EHM to horses that attended the WPRA Finals in Waco, Texas.

How EHV spreads
EHV spreads through nose to nose contact, shared buckets or tack, contaminated trailers, airborne droplets from coughing or snorting, and from people who handle exposed horses.
Symptoms to watch
- Fever
- Nasal discharge
- Lethargy
- Hind end weakness or wobbliness
- Loss of tail tone or urine dribbling

Some cases progress to the neurological form, EHM, which is a medical emergency. Take temperatures twice daily and monitor closely. Practice strict biosecurity protocols; do not share tack/equipment/water sources, disinfect high contact areas with bleach and most importantly do not move horses on or off the property!

If you have attended an event where there have been exposed horses and you come home it is of extreme importance to quarantine your horse for a minimum of 14 days from the rest of your home herd!

AAEP Resources
https://aaep.org/resource/aaep-infectious-disease-guidelines-equine-herpesvirus-1-4/

If you have questions feel free to contact our office at 501-858-8187!

Equine herpesviruses are very common DNA viruses in horse populations worldwide. The two most significant are EHV-1, which causes respiratory disease, abortion, and neurologic disease; and EHV-4, which primarily causes respiratory disease and only occasionally causes abortion or neurologic disease.....

11/12/2025

🍂 Fall Warning: Acorns & Your Horse’s Health

As the leaves fall and acorns scatter, horses may find them tempting—but acorn ingestion can be toxic.

👉 Swipe to learn:
1️⃣ Why acorns are dangerous
2️⃣ Key clinical signs to watch for
3️⃣ How to prevent exposure
4️⃣ When to call your veterinarian

⚠️ Clinical signs can include:
• Loss of appetite
• Colic symptoms
• Diarrhea (sometimes dark or bloody)
• Lethargy or depression
• Decreased urine output

If your horse shows these signs or you suspect they’ve eaten acorns, contact your veterinarian.

🐴 Elite Equine
📞 501-858-8187 | 🌐 www.eliteequinevet.com

11/08/2025

🌦️This time of year often brings wild temperature swings — one day feels like summer, the next like winter. These quick changes can be hard on your horse’s digestive system and hydration levels.

Dehydration is one of the leading causes of impaction colic, which we unfortunately see often during seasonal transitions. Keeping your horse well-hydrated can make all the difference.

Here are a few ways to help encourage drinking:
💧 Add 1 tablespoon of plain salt to feed morning and night.
🧂 Ensure your horse has constant access to a clean salt or mineral block.
🥣 Try Purina RepleniMash® — it’s a great option during weather fluctuations to keep horses hydrated and eating well.
🚰 Provide fresh, clean water — and remember, horses tend to drink less if the water is very cold or dirty.
🌾 Keep turnout and feeding schedules as consistent as possible to support healthy digestion.

If you notice your horse drinking less, passing dry manure, or acting uncomfortable, reach out to your veterinarian right away.
A few simple steps now can help prevent colic and keep your horse healthy and comfortable all season long. 💙

08/29/2025

Our office will be closed starting Friday August 29th through Monday September 1st. We will be back taking routine calls and emergencies on Tuesday September 2nd.

We hope everyone has a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

08/16/2025

🐎 Know the Signs of Anhidrosis! 🐎
As summer heat lingers, watch out for anhidrosis, a condition where horses struggle to sweat, leading to overheating.

🚨 Signs to look for:
• Little to no sweating
• Rapid breathing or panting
• Lethargy or poor performance
• Dry, flaky skin

If you suspect anhidrosis is affecting your horse give Elite Equine a call at 501-858-8187! 🌡️💧

07/28/2025

There are some big equine events coming up in Arkansas in the next month…

1. National Championship Chuckwagon Races August 23rd through 31st
2. Arkansas State Championship Horse Show August 29th through Sept 1st

This is your friendly reminder to make sure you have all that you need for your horses PRIOR to the week/days before these events.

Please make sure you have all your paperwork in order, such as your Coggins and that they are current! If you are needing new Coggins please plan ahead.

These events are the perfect storm for respiratory outbreaks. Your horses will be commingled with many horses from unknown backgrounds and unknown vaccination statuses. Every year horses will get sick which then spreads to the other horses they come in contact with when they come back home.

PLEASE do your horse and the other horses a favor and vaccinate your horse against these respiratory viruses PRIOR to these events.

We recommend the following vaccination protocol:
1. FluAvert (Influenza) Intranasal vaccine: given 2-3 weeks prior to event. Minimum 7-10 days prior to event.
2. Prodigy (EHV-1): given 2-3 weeks prior to event.

Please call our office at 501-858-8187 to set up an appt!