Country Care Equine Veterinary Services, P.A.

11/20/2025

HORSE OWNERS: EHM (Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy) has been confirmed in Texas and Oklahoma. The disease had a rapid progression, high clinical severity, and a concerning number of mortalities among suspected EHM cases.

**No cases currently suspected or confirmed in Minnesota.**

Cases were confirmed at the 2025 WPRA World Finals and Elite Barrel Race event in Waco, Texas Nov. 5 - 9, 2025, and in horses who traveled from Waco to the BFA World Championship 2025 at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma.

Please contact the Board of Animal Health immediately if you or your horse had known contact with animals that were at these events.

Read the full Equine Disease Alert: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNBAH/bulletins/3fc306a

11/19/2025

EQUINE HERPESVIRUS MYELOENCEPHALOPATHY (EHM) & EHV-1- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. How do we handle horses returning from events where they may have been exposed to EHV-1?

• These horses should be isolated from any other horses when they return to their home facility. Isolation requires housing them away from other horses, using different equipment to feed, clean and work with them than is used with non-isolated horses, and rigorous hygiene procedures for horse handlers (hand hygiene, wearing separate clothes when coming in contact with isolated horses, etc.). Please discuss this with your veterinarian.

• We strongly advise owners to call their veterinarian to discuss how long to keep the horses isolated at home. A minimum recommended isolation period is 21 days.

• These horses should have their temperature taken twice a day, as elevated temperature is typically the first and most common sign of infection. Horses with elevated re**al temperatures (greater than 101.5 F) should have a nasal swab and blood submitted by your veterinarian for EHV-1 PCR.

• If a horse develops a fever and is found to be shedding EHV-1, then the level of risk to other horses on the premises increases significantly. Affected farms should work closely with their veterinarian to manage the situation.

• The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) has an extensive set of Equine Herpesvirus (EHV) Control Guidelines that veterinarians can use as a resource.

2. What do we do if we already have a potentially exposed horse on a farm?

• The exposed horse should still be isolated, even if it may have already been in contact with other horses. Start isolation procedures to stop further exposure.

• It is very important to separate horses from different groups to accomplish this. Try to isolate the suspect horse without moving other horses from one group to another. Segregation of horse groups is the key, because this will help reduce spread if an outbreak starts.

• Check temperatures of all horses on the farm twice daily (fever spikes can be missed if you check once daily). If fevers are detected, then isolate the horse and test for EHV-1.

3. What anti-viral treatments can I use against EHM on a farm?

• If EHM is present on a farm, then the risk of other horses developing EHM at that farm is greatly increased. Stringent quarantine and biosecurity procedures must be implemented immediately.

• Treatment of horses with clinical neurological disease (EHM) is largely supportive—the use of anti-viral drugs is not known to be of value at this stage, but are often administered. Use of anti-inflammatory drugs and good nursing care with sling support if necessary is recommended.

• For horses that develop fever, test EHV-1 positive, or have been exposed to an EHM horse, anti-viral drugs may decrease the chance of developing EHM.

• Speak with your veterinarian regarding all medications and their suitability for your horse. We currently recommend Valacyclovir (Valtrex™) for prophylactic therapy at a dose of 30 mg/kg q 8 hr for two days, then 20 mg/kg q 12 hr for 1–2 weeks.

• The use of valacyclovir in horses that have already developed signs of EHM is questionable at this time. In that circumstance, the use of intravenous ganciclovir is preferable as it may have greater potency against the disease. The dose of ganciclovir is 2.5 mg/kg q 8 hr IV for one day then 2.5 mg/kg q 12 hr IV for one week.

• Administration of a zinc-containing supplements may be beneficial based on one epidemiologic study that found a decreased risk of EHM associated with owner-reported dietary zinc supplementation.

4. Is there any value to using booster vaccination against EHV-1 at this time?

• Unfortunately, there is not a licensed EHV-1 vaccination product with a label claim for prevention or control of EHM.

• EHV-1 vaccines have been shown to reduce nasal shedding and, in some cases, reduce viremia. These products may therefore have some theoretical value against EHM by reducing viremia, and certainly against spread of the virus by reducing viral shedding in the environment.

• If horses on the farm are previously vaccinated against EHV-1 then booster vaccination should quickly increase immunity, and perhaps reduce spread of EHV-1, if it is present.

• Vaccination in these circumstances is controversial, as some authorities speculate that immunity to EHV-1 may play a role in the development of EHM. While this is unproven, it remains a possibility. The use of vaccination is therefore a risk-based decision.

• Vaccination has no value as a treatment in affected horses.

Check the EDCC alerts page at https://equinediseasecc.org/alerts for updates regarding reported cases of EHM.

11/19/2025

Equine herpesvirus (EHV) is a family of equine viruses named by numbers including EHV-1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 with EHV-1,3,4 posing the most risk for domestic horses. EHV is a common DNA virus that occurs in horse populations worldwide. The two most common species are EHV-1 and EHV-4.

11/19/2025

***UPDATE***

As of 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19, there are multiple confirmed cases of Equine Herpes Myleoencephalopathy, the neurologic form of EHV-1 and exposure risks in horses that attended the WPRA Finals in Waco, Texas between Nov. 5 and Nov. 9. We have confirmed two cases of EHM in horses that attended the Barrel Futurities of America World Championship at Lazy E Arena this week.

The BAF World Championship has been cancelled and horses who were at either event should be taken home, isolated, and quarantined for the next 14 days.

EHM spreads through horse contact, shared buckets and/or tack, contaminated trailers, airborne droplets from horses coughing or snorting and from people who handle exposed horses. Exposed horses that were at either of the events should be isolated at least 30 feet, but as far as possible, from other horses. Efforts to prevent air movement from exposed horses to unexposed horses should be made. Exposed horses are not allowed to move off the home premises until they have completed 14 days with no symptoms. Unexposed horses may travel to events, although it is recommended, they do not leave the premises unless truly necessary.

Owners should watch for:
Fever over 101.5
Nasal Discharge
Lethargy
Hind end weakness
Any neurological issues

If you notice any of the symptoms, please contact your veterinarian immediately. Cases that show neurological issues are considered a medical emergency.

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ANIMAL HEALTH ALERT

The Oklahoma State Veterinarian has been made aware of a possible Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy exposure at the WPRA event in Waco, Texas Nov. 5 through Nov. 9.

We are working closely with Lazy E Arena, as some of the horses from the WPRA event could be in Guthrie this week for the Barrel Futurities of America World Championship.

If you are from Oklahoma and were at the WPRA event – it is recommended you go home and quarantine your horse. If EHM is confirmed, horses who were in the Waco event will be required to quarantine at home.

Owners should monitor the temperature of their horse for spikes of 101.5 or above and increase biosecurity measures.

For questions about quarantine or EHM exposure, call the Oklahoma State Veterinarian's office at 405.522.6141.

Updates will be provided as they become available.

11/13/2025

Scratches, also known as pastern dermatitis, is a common skin condition that affects the lower legs of horses, especially around the back of the pastern and fetlock. It often looks like scabby, crusty, or raw patches and can make the area sore or swollen.

What Causes Scratches?
• Wet, muddy, or dirty conditions
• Irritation from sand, bedding, or rough surfaces
• Bacterial or fungal infections
• Sometimes, tiny mites or allergies

What to Look For:
• Redness, swelling, or heat in the lower leg
• Scabs, crusts, or hair loss
• Horse may be sensitive or sore in the area

How to Help Prevent Scratches:
• Keep your horse’s legs clean and dry
• Avoid letting your horse stand in wet or muddy areas for long periods
• Avoid sharing wraps or boots between horses, especially without cleaning/disinfecting between uses
• Check legs regularly for early signs

How to Treat Scratches:
• Clean the Area: Gently wash the affected area with a mild antiseptic shampoo or solution to remove dirt and scabs. Be gentle—don’t scrub hard or pick at scabs.

• Dry Thoroughly: After cleaning, make sure the area is completely dry. Moisture can make the problem worse.

• Apply Topical Creams: You can use creams or ointments recommended by your veterinarian, such as those containing silver sulfadiazine or other antibacterial/antifungal agents.

• Keep the Area Protected: If possible, keep your horse out of wet or muddy conditions while healing.

• Monitor for Infection: If you notice increased swelling, pain, or pus, or if the condition doesn’t improve, contact your veterinarian.

Remember, severe or persistent cases should always be checked by your veterinarian to make sure your horse gets the right treatment. If you have questions or concerns about your own equine, contact your veterinarian.

10/28/2025

Don’t let winter catch you off guard! ❄️

Add these tasks to your fall to-do list to get your barn (and horses!) ready for the season. 🐴🍂🧹

👉 What’s something you do that’s not on our list? Let us know in the comments! ⬇️

10/24/2025

Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM) is a serious neurologic disease in horses caused by protozoal infection of the central nervous system. Most cases are due to Sarcocystis neurona, but Neospora hughesi can also be responsible.

EPM is tricky to diagnose because its signs can mimic other health problems and range from mild to severe. Some of the common signs include incoordination, muscle atrophy (especially along the topline or hindquarters), abnormal gait, and weakness. It can also cause cranial nerve damage (facial paralysis, difficulty swallowing), behavioral changes, and even seizures.

If you notice any of these signs, contact your veterinarian promptly. Early detection and treatment can improve the chances of recovery.

If you'd like addition information about EPM, visit the Equine Disease Communication Center's website here: https://www.equinediseasecc.org/EPM

10/21/2025

10/18/2025

10/16/2025

Happy Thursday! We loved seeing all of the participation and responses on Tuesday's post! Here's the answer to the TRUE or FALSE question:

You may have heard the blanket statement that first-cutting grass hay is poor quality, and second cutting is the best.

The truth is that quality depends on several factors, and any cutting of grass hay can be high or low quality regardless of if it was a first or second cutting.

Quality depends on:

Stage of maturity: The more mature the plant, the lower its energy content and the more stemmy and indigestible it becomes.

Type of grass: Different grasses (warm vs. cool season types) vary in nutrient content.

Presence of w**ds or mold: Both reduce hay quality.

Geographic location: Determines how many cuttings are possible and the length of the growing season. Typically, two cuttings, sometimes three, for grass hay.

First Cutting:
First-cuttings happens early in spring, when frequent rain can delay harvest. This delay allows plants to mature, resulting in more fiber, fewer nutrients, and a higher chance of w**ds or mold. Early-season w**ds are more common since they haven’t yet been outcompeted by grasses.

Second Cutting:
Second cutting usually occurs 6–8 weeks later. Fields typically have fewer w**ds, and mixed fields often contain more legumes at this time of year, increasing nutrient content.

Quality Varies:
Any cutting can produce high or low-quality grass hay. Weather, timing, and management determine quality, not just which cutting it is. Perfectly timed, w**d and mold-free first-cuttings can be excellent, while poorly handled second-cutting can be low quality.

Matching Hay to Horses:
Lower-nutrient first-cuttings can be ideal for easy keepers or horses prone to obesity. Nutrient-dense second cuttings can suit performance horses with higher energy needs. Your equine veterinarian is a great resource to advise which types of hay will be best for your particular horse's needs.

Ultimately, you can't accurately make a blanket statement saying first-cutting grass hay is poor quality and second cutting is best. The only way to know quality for sure is through a hay analysis.

Thank you to the Horse Owner Education Committee for providing this information.

10/15/2025

I think by far Titan’s head is the largest I have ever used my speculum on. 🫣
We love working with these gentle giants trying to provide them the medical care they need to get the second chance they deserve. ♥️

Its tongue out Tuesday for Titan 🧡
Dental - ✔️
Feet - ✔️
Dewormed -✔️
10000% GOOD BOY

10/08/2025

How can you help? Wellll we REALLY need your help!

$80 gives someone a pedicure (hoof trim)
$65 buys a dose of Prestige -5 way vaccine
$12 buys dewormer
$50 buys amazing hay for 1 month for 1 horse
$500 buys badly needed dental care (teeth floating procedure with sedation) this is for 4-5 horses that are due
Doc is having eye surgery on the 14th. We dont know what thats going to cost yet.

We have a big vet visit on the 14th and REALLY need your support. We took in these beauties who need the prep care for winter to set them up for success to find homes! We ask if you are unable to financially contribute that you like, comment and share. This helps generate new eyes and new followers!

We also have an Amazon wishlist. Huckleberry would like as many treats as he can get before the 14th, hes not here for a long time... but he's here for a good time 💕

Ways YOU can help!!!
Like, comment and share!
Monetary donations

Venmo: https://www.venmo.com/u/Secondchancedrafts

Paypal: - new account coming soon pending our 501c3.

cash or check. Made payable to Second Chance Drafts. 5093 Hummingbird Road Braham, MN 55006

Amazon wishlist
https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/1V3UAMEU1JTZR?ref_=cm_sw_r_apann_ggr-subnav-share_RWD2WMX08XHT8WD5R35T_1&language=en-USWays