Hoof and Paw Veterinary Care, LLC

12/03/2025

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[email protected] | (608) 590-5997 | datcp.wi.gov
Update: Multi-State Equine Herpes Outbreak
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) continues to monitor the outbreak of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV)/Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) in horses that attended barrel racing and rodeo events in Texas and Oklahoma in November.

Free Webinar: On November 25, the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) and Equine Disease Communication Center (EHDD) produced a webinar for horse owners and equine veterinarians to learn more about the equine herpesvirus outbreak in Texas. Dr. Krista Estell, Dr. Katie Flynn, and Texas state veterinarian Dr. Lewis “Bud” Dinges, presented information about the virus, biosecurity, and updated the status of the outbreak that originated at the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) World Finals and Elite Barrel Race event Nov. 5-9 in Waco, Texas. This includes the latest information on virus transmission and how to protect horses at events. To watch the webinar, visit the EDCC website.

EHMWebinar
The Equine Disease Communication Center has an up-to-date summary of confirmed cases by state. As of December 3, there have been 33 EHM cases (PCR positive horses with neurologic signs) in six states.

Currently, there are no reported cases of EHV/EHM in Wisconsin associated with this outbreak. The last reported case in Wisconsin was in April 2025. Wisconsin received traces from affected states and followed up with participants from Wisconsin to stop exposed horse movement and mitigate further spread of the disease. The Division of Animal Health (DAH) will continue to monitor recent equine movements that could be impacted by this outbreak.

New Equine CVI Requirements: Due the current multi-state outbreak, Wisconsin is instituting new equine certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) requirements. Effective Monday, November 24, all incoming CVIs (also known as health certificates) must include a statement regarding EHV-1 exposure.

At this time, horses that attended the following events are not eligible for movement to Wisconsin:

WPRA World Finals at the Extraco Events Center in Waco, TX from November 5-9, 2025.
BFA World Championship at Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, OK, scheduled for November 17-22, 2025.
377 Arenas Barrel Race in Stephenville, TX between November 10-17, 2025.
Horses that attended these events should be isolated for at least 21 days following their last exposure. Horses on premises quarantined for EHV are not eligible for movement to Wisconsin.

Veterinarians writing CVIs to move out-of-state equines into Wisconsin must include the following statement:

“In the 21 days prior to shipment, the equines listed on this CVI have not originated from a premises currently quarantined for EHV-1, have not been exposed to EHV-1, and have not attended an event where EHV-1 has been suspected or confirmed.”

Interstate Movement: Please note that many states may be implementing movement restrictions or new import requirements for equines during this outbreak. Please check with the state of destination to ensure that you are following their import restrictions.

Horse Owners: If your horses traveled to Texas, Oklahoma, or other states hosting equine events where EHV exposure may have occurred, please contact our office directly: (608) 590-5997. We will provide instructions regarding isolation and monitoring.

Exposed horses should be isolated for 21 days after last known exposure.
Isolation includes preventing access to other horses and avoiding the sharing of equipment or personnel between exposed and non-exposed groups.
Exposed horses should have a re**al temperature recorded twice daily.
Clinical signs that should be reported to your veterinarian include: elevated temperature (above 101.5º), respiratory signs (nasal discharge, coughing), or clinical signs consistent with EHM (neurologic symptoms including inability to stand, difficulty walking, lethargy, and urine dribbling).
Upcoming Equine Events: Equine herpes virus can be spread by horses that are not showing any clinical signs, which increases risk for disease transmission during an EHV/EHM outbreak.

Event Organizers: Consult with your event veterinarian and understand the risks associated with hosting equine events during a multi-state outbreak. Cancelling or postponing events may be necessary to stop the spread of disease. DATCP’s website has information on creating a biosecurity plan for equine events.
Horse Owners: DATCP recommends consulting with your veterinarian on the risks associated with travel to equine events. Vaccinations are available for EHV-1 & EHV-4 which can help prevent respiratory and reproductive symptoms. There are no vaccines labeled for the prevention of the neurologic form of EHV-1 and vaccines should not be used on exposed horses. However, vaccinated horses may assist in limiting the spread of outbreaks of EHM by limiting viral shedding.
Veterinarians: If you have a horse with signs of acute neurologic disease, please contact our office at (608) 590-5997. We will provide guidance on isolation and testing. Diagnosis of EHV can be difficult as periods of viral shedding and viremia may vary; paired samples, including nasal swabs and whole blood (EDTA), are recommended. For more information about testing, contact the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.

Equine Herpes Virus: EHV‐1 is spread from horse to horse through contact with nasal discharge or spread as aerosolized droplets. Infected horses may not show clinical signs of the virus but may still spread disease. Horses can also contract the virus by coming into contact with contaminated surfaces such as stalls, water, feed, tack, and vehicles. People can spread the virus from horse to horse by contaminated hands and clothing. It is important for owners to watch for signs and symptoms and practice biosecurity measures.

This outbreak serves as a reminder of the potential disease risks associated with commingling animals at large events. DATCP recommends consulting with your veterinarian on the risks associated with travel to upcoming equine events. Good biosecurity can help limit the spread of this disease. There is risk of disease transmission anytime animals are commingled. If your horses traveled to Texas, Oklahoma, or other equine events where EHV exposure may have occurred, it is critical that you isolate your horses and do not travel to equine premises or events for at least 21 days.

Additional information and resources:

Equine Herpesvirus | Equine Disease Communication Center
Equine Herpesvirus Resources | AAEP
DATCP Home Equine Herpesvirus
DATCP Home Basic Biosecurity
DATCP Home Biosecurity Resources for Events

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12/03/2025

Let's play a game--- average size hay bag filled with grass hay. How much do you think it weighs? So often we throw hay on the ground for our horses to eat with no idea how much we're feeding them. Based on my last post on percentage of body weight, it is useful to know how much your hay weighs. Just like rice krispies and granola weigh differently, so does everyone's hay depending on the density, dry matter percentage and type of hay. Hay is expensive and it is often wasted when the horses don't eat at all. Therefore, weighing your hay and knowing approximately how much they are getting everyday helps you know that your horse is getting fed properly. If you weigh your hay one time, you will get a good idea and don't need to weigh at every day, obviously. Purina makes a great scale for this. I will give everybody twenty four hours and then reveal the answer tomorrow.

12/02/2025

Sabine Hartmann, DVM feeds Doctors Choice supplements for over 11 years with much success---contact her if she can help you with your horse. She sells products from her farm in Loyal, WI.

12/02/2025

THE COLD WEATHER IS UPON US! ❄️

Are you familiar with the many adaptations that help your horse stay warm during the cold winter months?

🌾 Hindgut digestion of hay produces the most heat, acting as a small furnace inside of the horse. This is why free choice; good quality hay is so important in the winter.

💪 Horses have a huge muscle mass and muscle activity produces heat. This includes running and playing and even shivering if their body temperature starts to drop. It is important to remember that these activities also will result in a bigger caloric demand so free choice hay and in some cases, grain, is often needed.

🧥 To blanket or not to blanket is a constant debate but either way, as it starts to get cold your horse will grow a thicker coat. If you decide to leave your horse unblanketed you may notice that they look “fluffy”. This is due to a phenomenon called piloerection where the hair stands up to better trap air within. Two layers of the coat also help with warmth. The inner layer is softer and has air pockets to create an insulating layer. The outer layer is coarse and has oils that keep moisture from penetrating the insulating layer and keep the horse warm.

⚖️ Wild horses go into the winter heavier than ideal, and the fat serves as an extra layer of insulation. However, if a horse is going to be kept heavily blanketed and in a barn during the cold weather months this is unnecessary and can lead to obesity related issues.

🦵Their distal limbs (below the knees and hocks) are made of mostly bones and tendons, tissues that are resistant to the cold temperatures.

🦶The hooves have an alternative route of blood circulation through larger vessels that can be used in low temperatures. This is why horses can stand in snow without detrimental effects.

👃A horse’s nose has a robust blood supply and is rounded so that it is less susceptible to frostbite than a human’s nose.
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Courtesy of the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee

12/02/2025

🐴 As of December 1st, 2025 at 4:00PM, these are the current numbers for positive EHV-1 and EHM cases in the United States that are associated with the WPRA event in Waco, TX.

🦠 We are aware of two confirmed positive EHV-Neurological and 1 suspected positive in Lancaster County, PA. One horse has been euthanized based on clinical signs. These cases are not connected to the WPRA event in Waco, TX.

🦠 We are monitoring the EHV-4 confirmed positive case in PA. And the EHV-1 case in OH. Neither of those cases in OH and PA are associated with the WPRA event in Waco, TX.

🦠 We are aware of the positive EHV-1 case in Alberta, Canada. It is not connected to the WPRA event in Waco, TX.

🦠 Currently, there are no confirmed positive EHV-1 nor EHM cases in the state of New York. We will continue to provide up to date and reliable information as the situation continues to develop.

🦠 We will continue to monitor cases especially after the holiday weekend.

🔗Please follow this link to the Equine Disease Communication Center: https://www.equinediseasecc.org/

12/01/2025

Horses consume 1.5-2% of their body weight in hay during the winter. This not only addresses their fiber needs but also feeds the hind gut where heat is produced. For every 10F drop in temp below freezing approximately increase amount of hay by 2 lbs. Ex. 1000 lbs horse eats about 15-20 lbs/day at 10F horse should have available 19-24 lbs hay/day.

11/29/2025

As of Nov. 28, the EDCC has confirmed 44 EHV cases associated with the WPRA World Finals and Elite Barrel Race event. The cases are located in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Colorado, New Mexico, Washington, Arizona, and South Dakota.

11/29/2025

"Look Mom! Now what do I do? I will just patiently wait for you to show me...pleeeeease!"
So pleased with his mind(at times).I picked up each foot and we were free. Good thing I have done numerous sessions with ropes with pull and release around legs. Thanks Billy Yoder Horsemanship for all of your tips and guidence.

11/29/2025

Male 3 year old dog presented for surgery today. What is going on here?

11/28/2025

𝐍𝐨 𝐁𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡

With the outbreak of EHV‑1, here are some recommended tips to sanitize your horse trailer

For disinfecting the inside of your trailer, we recommend using 𝐂𝐡𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐡𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐞 or 𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐛𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐠 𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐡 - both are effective and safe for aluminum!

We do not recommend using bleach! It can react with aluminum and may cause staining or damage!

Make sure all floors, walls, ramps, partitions, tie-areas, rubber flooring and padding gets disinfected and cleaned