11/20/2025
🚨 EHV-1 / EHM UPDATE – IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR OUR EQUINE CLIENTS 🚨
We want to make our community aware of recent confirmed cases of Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1), including the neurologic form (Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy, EHM), linked to recent events in Texas and Oklahoma.
On November 18, confirmed EHM cases were reported in horses that attended the WPRA World Finals in Waco, TX (Nov 5–9). Some of these horses then traveled to the Barrel Futurities of America (BFA) World Championship at the Lazy-E Arena in Guthrie, OK.
As of November 19, two cases of EHM have been confirmed in horses at the Lazy-E, and the BFA has since cancelled the remainder of their competition.
EHV-1 is a highly contagious viral disease spread through nasal secretions, shared equipment, contaminated stalls/trailers, and even clothing and hands. Horses may shed the virus before showing symptoms, making biosecurity and monitoring extremely important.
Recommended Action for Horses Returning From These Events
If your horse was at WPRA World Finals or BFA at the Lazy-E, we strongly recommend:
🔸 Strict isolation for 14 days
🔸 Twice-daily temperature checks (Normal: 99–101.5°F)
🔸 Careful monitoring for any clinical signs (see below)
🔸 Avoiding travel, events, or contact with non-exposed horses
🔸 Contacting us immediately if your horse develops a fever or neurologic changes
Signs to Watch For
🐴 Respiratory: cough, nasal discharge, fever
🐴 Neurologic (EHM): hind-limb weakness, incoordination, urine dribbling, tail weakness, sudden inability to stand
🐴 Reproductive: late-term abortion in mares
If you notice any of these symptoms, please call our clinic right away. Early intervention is critical.
Traveling With Your Horse
Due to the evolving nature of this outbreak, interstate permitting requirements are changing daily. Some states are implementing additional restrictions or health documentation for incoming horses.
If you plan to travel with your horse in the coming days or weeks, please contact us as soon as possible with your travel dates and destination.
We will do our best to accommodate permit requests and ensure you have the required documentation before you leave.
Biosecurity Reminders
✅ Quarantine exposed or symptomatic horses
✅ Don’t share buckets, tack, grooming tools, or trailers
✅ Wash hands and change clothes after handling isolated horses
✅ Clean and disinfect all surfaces, stalls, and equipment
For Owners Arriving at Our Clinic
To protect all patients:
🏥 If your horse attended either event, please call us from your trailer when you arrive so we can take appropriate precautions.
🏥 A member of our team will take a history and check your horse’s temperature before entering the clinic
We appreciate your partnership in keeping our horse community safe. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or concerns. 💙🐴
