An EHV-1 outbreak can catapult a horse show venue into disarray and have unfortunate and even deadly health effects to horses that contract the virus. With the virus’ ability to run rampant through the stabling areas at a horse show venue, at an alarming rate, equestrians need to prepare and participate in preventive and proactive EHV-1 measures when competing at any venue.

As the summer show season concludes and the migration to indoor competitions takes place, it is prudent that venues and competitors follow and comply with preventative and proactive protocols to protect against EHV-1, mitigating the risk of contracting and spreading the virus.

In 2021, outbreaks of the virus have spanned across the United States and Europe cancelling several competitions and resulting in several competitive stables to “skip” competitions for fear of the virus spreading through the competition venue or a horse becoming exposed at the venue and bringing it back home. Directly through horse-to horse contact and indirectly through contaminated stable equipment and tack, the aggressive virus can halt competitions, travel to and from venues and place entire stables under quarantine.

With early detection (within the first 30 minutes) and prevention and proactive procedures in place, the risk of the virus being contracted and spread is lessened. 

As a competitor, keeping your horse safe is important. In the event of an outbreak, your horse's health records are important too! By using Electronic Vet's Cloud based solution you can provide your horses records to show management or on site veterinarians with the click of a button. Plus we even have an on line temperature log.

Moreover, if a case is confirmed at a horse show venue, here are guidelines and restrictive measures to follow: 

Preventative Measures:

• 
  Current and up-to-date vaccination records for all competing horses
• Have separate feed buckets, brushes, rags, and tack/equipment for each horse
• Follow proper sanitization protocols when at competition venues and/or your stable
• Check your horse's temperature twice daily and maintain a temperature log of the records
• Practice hand washing in between handling all horses
• Maintain social distancing for horses; eliminate nose to nose contact with other horses at the ring
• Ensure your horse is vaccinated for EHV (Rhinopneumonitis vaccine) in line with GR845

Biosecurity and isolation are two leading proactive measure every horse show venue and stables should be aware of if infected or suspect cases are identified;

Proactive Plans:

• Isolation of affect horses
• Promptly stop the movement of horses to and from the venue
• Promptly quarantine sick horses in a separate building, ring, or isolation area at the venue
• Promptly consult a veterinarian to determine local notification requirements, including whether you need to report confirmed cases, suspect cases, or clinical signs to your state’s State Veterinarian.
• Collect samples from exposed horses to send to the nearest available laboratory for EHV-1 testing
• Monitor exposed horses for fever and/or neurologic signs for at least seven (7) days, and log temperature data for each monitored animal
• Stop or lessen strenuous training or exercise for exposed horses
• Regularly sanitize communal barn equipment
• Each personnel handling or caring for animals should be educated about isolation procedures
• Only allow dedicated personnel (who do not handle any other horses) to come into contact with equipment 
• Wear protective outer clothing, disposable latex gloves and disinfectant-immersible footwear, all of which needs to be removed upon leaving the isolation area

Recovery rates for the disease vary and can be attributed to the effectiveness of a properly executed preventative and proactive plan by horse show venues and equestrians participating. Following venue protocols, reporting failures to comply and sharing educational opportunities to prevent the spread and act quickly on a proactive plan if a case is identified.

To learn more about Electronic Vet, the official electronic vaccination records partner of the United States Equestrian Federation click  here.