11/19/2025
EHV in horses:
Equine herpesvirus (EHV) spreads very easily among horses. Here are the main ways:
1. Direct horse-to-horse contact
This is the most common route. Horses spread EHV through:
Nose-to-nose contact
Shared breathing space
Nuzzling or sniffing
EHV is shed in nasal secretions, so anything involving the nose can transmit it.
2. Aerosolized droplets (airborne over short distances)
When a horse coughs or snorts, tiny droplets carrying the virus can travel through the air.
This is usually limited to close-range exposure (within the same stall, trailer, wash rack, grooming area, etc.).
3. Indirect contact (contaminated objects)
The virus can survive for a time on surfaces, especially in cold/wet conditions. It can spread through:
Buckets and water troughs
Feed tubs
Halters, lead ropes
Grooming tools
Stalls and fencing
Trailers
Tack
Handler’s hands and clothing
A person can't get sick from EHV, but they can carry it on hands, clothes, or equipment from one horse to another.
There are current confirmed cases in almost every state, with that being said nothing will be coming in or out of the barn as of right now…it is extremely bad and we just cannot run the risk of things going south.
If you have been in contact with other horses, respectfully I ask that we wait until this passes to open anything up.