The Equine Clinic of Saratoga

11/21/2025

Multi-State Equine Herpes Outbreak

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, Division of Animal Industry, has been made aware of an outbreak of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV)/ Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) in horses that were at or associated with barrel racing and rodeo-type events in Texas and Oklahoma. Several cases of EHM have been confirmed in Texas and Oklahoma associated with these equine events, with numerous reports of additional cases and equine deaths pending investigation. This is a very fluid situation, so it is best to check verified sources for information (state departments of agriculture websites, EDCC when available).

We do not have any confirmed cases of EHV/EHM in New York at this time. Our office is coordinating with the affected states and we are currently awaiting to receive trace information from Texas and Oklahoma. If we receive traces from the other states, we will contact those owners directly and issue quarantines to mitigate further spread of the disease.

This outbreak serves as a reminder of the potential disease risks associated with large commingling equine events. It underscores the importance of timely reporting of diseases and ensuring that movement requirements are followed, including veterinary inspection and health certificates prior to travel.

Horse Owners: If your horses traveled to Texas, Oklahoma, or other equine events where EHV exposure may have occurred, please contact our office directly at [email protected] . We will provide guidance regarding isolation and monitoring:

Exposed horses should be isolated for 21 days after last known exposure.
Appropriate isolation includes restricted access to other horses, avoiding the sharing of equipment or personnel, and utilization of protective barrier precautions.
Exposed horses should be monitored twice daily for elevated temperature (above 101.5*), respiratory signs (nasal discharge, coughing), and for clinical signs consistent with equine herpes myeloencephalopathy (neurologic symptoms including inability to stand, difficulty walking, lethargy, and urine dribbling).
If elevated temperature, respiratory signs, or EHM-compatible clinical signs are noticed, contact your veterinarian.

Upcoming equine events: Equine herpes virus can be shed for prolonged periods of time, including in clinically healthy horses, which increases risk for continued disease spread during an EHV/EHM outbreak.

Event Organizers: We recommend you consult with your veterinarian and understand the risks associated with hosting equine events during a multi-state outbreak. Cancellation or postponement of events may be important to stop continued spread of disease. If events do take place, we recommend short-timed health certificates within 72 hours and increasing biosecurity practices on site.
Horse Owners: We recommend that you consult with your veterinarian on the risks associated with travel to upcoming equine events. EHV is a ubiquitous virus and commonly present in the environment, so biosecurity measures are paramount to decreasing potential for disease transmission.

Veterinarians: If you have a horse with signs of acute neurologic disease, please contact our office at 518-457-3502. If it is after hours, the voicemail message will direct you to the New York State Watch Center. The New York Watch Center will send your message onto our staff. 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 swab and whole blood, is critical.

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

Equine Herpes Virus Information:
EHV‐1 is spread from horse to horse through contact with nasal discharge or spread as aerosol droplets. Infected horses may not show clinical signs of the virus but may still act as carriers. Horses can also contract the virus by coming into contact with contaminated surfaces such as stalls, water, feed, tack, and transport 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. Good biosecurity practices include extensive cleaning and disinfection of surfaces and equipment that come in contact with affected horses, and individuals who treat or come into contact with infected horses need to follow appropriate disinfection protocols when handling multiple horses.

EHV-1 and EHM is reportable in New York.

Additional information and resources:
A Guide to Understanding the Neurologic Form of EHV Infection (brochure)
https://www.equinediseasecc.org/equine-herpesvirus

Information source: Courtney L. Mangano, DVM, FADD
Division of Animal Industry – Equine, Accreditation, FAD
New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets
10B Airline Drive, Albany, NY 12235

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.

11/05/2025

Thanks so much for stopping by our Open House and making it such a success! We loved having you with us and hope you enjoyed getting a behind-the-scenes look at what we do. It was great connecting with everyone, and we can’t wait to see you (and your horses) again soon!

10/25/2025

Enjoy meeting the staff and tour our facility

10/25/2025

Come see the animals at our Open House today!

10/24/2025

Join us for our Open House tomorrow, Saturday, Oct 25!

The hospital will be open to our clients and the general public. Come and meet our doctors and staff. There will be a 50/50 raffle to benefit The Youth Forward Foundation, door prizes, pony rides, a petting zoo, and, of course, horses. Light fare and beverages provided. We look forward to seeing you.

10/20/2025

Mark your calendar for this coming Saturday, Oct 25. Join us for our Open House! There will also be pony rides and a petting zoo! We can't wait to see you all.

Join us on Saturday, October 25, 2025 for our Fall Open House! The hospital will be open to our clients and the general public to visit the facility and meet our doctors and staff. There will be a 50/50 Raffle to benefit The Youth Forward Foundation, door prizes, light fare and beverages, and horses, of course! We look forward to seeing you.

10/08/2025

Join us on Saturday, October 25, 2025 for our Fall Open House! The hospital will be open to our clients and the general public to visit the facility and meet our doctors and staff. There will be a 50/50 Raffle to benefit The Youth Forward Foundation, door prizes, light fare and beverages, and horses, of course! We look forward to seeing you.

10/02/2025

The importance of Fall Vaccines
Be proactive and protect your horse.

It's October arbovirus season is in full swing and it's time to talk about fall vaccination!

Equine encephalitis viruses-Eastern, Western, and Venezuelan equine encephalitis (EEE, WEE, VEE) and West Nile Virus (WNV) are spread by infected mosquitos and can cause severe encephalitis (brain inflammation) in equids and people. These viruses are widespread in birds and rodents, making them reservoirs for disease.
Unvaccinated horses are particularly susceptible to the effects of arborvirus diseases. Keeping horses up to date on vaccinations is the most effective way to prevent life-threatening infection.

Vaccinating horses against EEE and WNV reduces the risk of horses contracting a severe infection after being bitten by mosquitos. Vaccination lowers the risk of death in horses exposed to EEE and WNV. In the event that a vaccinated horse becomes infected with either EEE or WNV, the symptoms tend to be less severe with a quicker recovery time when compared to unvaccinated horses. Preventing EEE or WNV is more cost-effective than treating a horse with encephalitis which may require intensive veterinary care or even hospitalization, alongside costly supportive treatments.

EASTERN EQUINE ENCEPHALITIS (EEE), also known as the sleeping sickness, is a viral disease that causes inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. There is no cure for EEE. The virus can only be transmitted to a horse via an insect vector and infected horses cannot transmit the disease to other horses. The incubation period of EEE after a horse is bitten by mosquitoes is 5 to 14 days. Clinical signs may be confused with colic pain. Horses infected with EEE rarely survive. The mortality rate is 75-95% and death usually occurs within two-to-three days of onset of signs.

WEST NILE VIRUS (WNV)
Like EEE, WNV causes inflammation of the nervous system for which there is no cure. Clinical signs of the disease develops in up to 39% of infected horses. Horses who survive usually make a full recovery, though some horses have lingering or recurrent neurologic deficits. Horses that become recumbent and are unable to rise have a poorer prognosis than those that remain standing. The approximate mortality rate is up to 40%. Clinical signs include fever, lack of appetite, lethargy, and neurologic signs.The incubation period of WNV is seven to ten days. Like EEE, WNV-infected horses are not contagious and cannot transmit the disease.

Fall vaccination offers protection for the coming winter months, but also for the early spring months.

We offer a basic Fall Vaccine Package (PHF, Flu/Rhino), and WNV as deemed necessary for an additional fee.

Please call today to schedule your appointment or consult.
518-584-1633

08/29/2025

Electroacupuncture (EA) has been used successfully as a treatment for trigeminal nerve-mediated head-shaking (TMHS) in horses.

Head-shaking in horses can be a clinical sign of a wide variety of conditions from a poorly fitting bridle/bit to dental or sinus disease and a range of other issues. TMHS is the most common diagnosis, usually made by process of elimination for other possible issues.

TMHS is a painful and distressing condition where horses exhibit uncontrollable head shaking and flicking. This can make it dangerous for them to be ridden and, in the most severe cases, may lead to euthanasia. Although the exact cause remains unknown, the condition is believed to be triggered by excessive reactions in the trigeminal nerve to external stimuli.

No treatment has been identified that works universally and improvement with any given treatment is seen in 20-50% of affected horses.

The most recent progress in treatment of TMHS has been the use of neuromodulatory therapy, either by percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (EquiPENSTM) or by electroacupuncture (EA). Both treatments apply electrical stimulation to the infraorbital nerve, which aims to adjust the perception of incoming painful stimuli by inhibiting afferant pain signals and activating descending inhibitory pathways.

A study, which looked at 42 horses treated between 2015 and 2024, revealed positive outcomes. Impressively, 64% of the horses demonstrated some improvement, and a third experienced a complete resolution of the symptoms. However, a small percentage –31% – did not see any improvement, and two horses (about 5%) had their symptoms worsen following treatment.

Electroacupuncture was well tolerated by all the horses, with minimal complications. Its success rate is comparable to similar treatments, like percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (PENS), and it offers the advantage of being performed in a yard setting, without the need for a veterinary hospital visit.

While not a cure-all, electroacupuncture could provide much-needed relief for both horses and their owners, offering a non-invasive treatment option with fewer risks than many other interventions.