EHV-1 is not a new equine disease, but outbreaks have been more common in the past two years, affecting multiple disciplines of horses all across the country. EHV stands for equine herpesvirus and is actually quite common in horses in its various forms; most horses are exposed to some form of the disease in their life and many carry it with them forever. However, the strain known as EHV-1 can be deadly.


The disease presents in one of two ways:

• Respiratory: infected horses will have a fever over a period of about seven days; they will develop nasal and ocular discharge.
• Neurological: infected horses will have a fever, but neurological symptoms will present suddenly, including incoordination, hind limb weakness, lethargy, head tilt, leaning against a fence or wall for balance or inability to rise.

EHV-1 can also cause abortions in pregnant mares.

The neurological presentation of EHV-1 is typically the most serious and is the most common reason for a horse to be destroyed after showing symptoms. It is possible for horses to recover from EHV-1.

EHV-1 is highly contagious, spread from horse-to-horse contact or through an intermediary transmitter. While the virus can also be airborne, it's still unclear to researchers how long it can survive on the air and how far it can travel. Horses touching noses can easily spread EHV-1; humans can be contaminated easily on hands or clothing and spread the disease (EHV-1 cannot be contracted by humans, just spread.) Contaminated equipment, tack, trailers, stalls, grooming tools and feeding tools can all spread the disease.

The disease reached outbreak status in early 2011 when about 90 horses contracted EHV-1 after attending the National Cutting Horse Association Western National Championships in Utah, resulting in the death of 13 horses. Most recently, the disease again made major headlines when it broke out at a major winter horse show in Florida. Heavy quarantine contained the outbreak.

However, EHV-1 continues to outbreak spottily across the country, leading to responsible horse show and rodeo management to cancel events or impose heavy quarantine restrictions. Indiana and Illinois events were recently canceled or rescheduled, and a high school rodeo event continued under careful monitoring. A horse used for pulling a chuckwagon in a demonstration at the 2015 National Western Stock Show in Denver was diagnosed with EHV-1, and most recently a barrel horse in California contracted the disease.

At this time, there are no major travel restrictions or widespread cancellations due to outbreak. It's clear, however, to see the potential for widespread outbreak to cause the cancellation of rodeos, especially as cowboys and cowgirls crisscross the country from place to place heading into the busy summer season. For the safety of the animals around which rodeo is centered, it's recommended that all horse owners employ the following precautions when traveling:

• Thoroughly sanitize rented stalls at a rodeo facility if you are stabling your horse overnight
• Sanitize all equipment thoroughly before and after an event where you have traveled or have come into contact with other horses
• Do not allow your horse to "socialize" with other horses at an event, especially ones you do not know (horses often touch noses to greet each other and can easily spread pathogens)
• Monitor your horse's vital signs (respiratory rate, pulse and temperature) before, during and after an event, especially if you are stabled overnight
• Be responsible: if your horse does show symptoms, notify event management right away and anyone you and your horses may have come in contact with

With precaution and thoughtful management, there is no reason to fear EHV-1 merely for attending a rodeo. However, it's important to be vigilant in order to protect our equine companions, whether at home or on the road.

If you're traveling, contact your rodeo management for any updates on outbreaks in the area. You can also check out the online equine disease outbreak tracker for news.

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