Exclusively Equine - Texas Edition

12/10/2025

A feed room can make or break daily routines and clear labeling like cut-outs or photos of the actual feed bag is a game changer. It reduces mistakes, saves time, and makes it easy for anyone stepping in to help. Shout out to Sibyl on her organized feed room. Thanks for the hack.

11/21/2025

11/19/2025

What is Equine Herpesvirus (EHV)?

You've probably heard it called Rhinopneumonitis, a respiratory tract disease that results in "snotty noses," but EHV is more than that. Depending on the strain, this virus can also cause abortion in broodmares, and equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM) — the often-deadly neurologic form of the disease.

Because EHV is endemic in many equine populations, most mature horses have developed some immunity through repeated natural infection. However, they remain a source of infection for other susceptible horses, like weaned foals and yearlings, who usually display symptoms of the respiratory form of the disease in autumn and winter. Performance and show horses are also more vulnerable to the disease, as they commingle with unfamiliar equines in close quarters while under stress from travel and competition.

Proper biosecurity protocols can help reduce EHV outbreaks and other disease transmission. A variety of vaccines are also available for protection against both the respiratory and abortive form of the disease, but there is no equine licensed vaccine at this time that has a label claim for protection against the neurologic form (EHM).

Consult your primary equine veterinarian to learn more about this disease and work with them to determine the optimal vaccine protocol for your horses.

You can learn more about all three forms on the Equine Disease Communication Center's website here: https://equinediseasecc.org/infectious-diseases

11/19/2025

For immediate release from Elite Barrel Racing Management.

11/19/2025

Confirmed EHV-1 cases in North Texas (originating in Waco).

Dr. Trish wants to notify horse owners that we are aware of multiple confirmed cases of EHV-1, and several suspected cases including several horses with neurologic signs (EHM) currently being diagnosed in the barrel horse community.
The State of Texas Animal Health Commission is aware of the outbreak.
At this time, 5–10 horses are known to us to be sick, but the true number is likely higher as many cases go unreported.
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What Horse Owners Should Do Right Now:
1. Keep all horses at home!
Please avoid hauling, clinics, lessons, shows, or mingling horses for the next several weeks until more information is available.
Movement is the #1 factor that spreads EHV-1.
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2. Check temperatures twice daily!
Fever is usually the first sign (often before nasal discharge or neurologic symptoms).
• Temp at or above 101.5°F = call your veterinarian.
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3. Notify your veterinarian immediately if your horse exhibits:
• Fever
• Weakness or incoordination
• Standing with hindlimbs wide
• Tail tone changes
• Difficulty urinating
• Lethargy or decreased appetite
Early intervention improves outcomes.
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4. Discuss treatment options with your veterinarian.
For febrile or exposed horses, your vet may recommend:
• Valacyclovir
• Aspirin or other anti-thrombotics
• Anti-inflammatories
• Supportive care
(These should only be used under veterinary direction.)
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5. Biosecurity matters.
• Do not share water buckets, hoses, tack, grooming tools, or stalls.
• Disinfect trailers, thermometers, and crossties.
• Isolate any horse with fever immediately.
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About Vaccination.
Current evidence shows vaccines do not prevent EHM, but they can reduce viral shedding and shorten viremia, which lowers barn-wide spread and is important to the community.
Boosters are helpful when:
• A horse was vaccinated > 90 days ago, or
• You are preparing for high-risk environments (events, hauling, mixing populations).
What the research shows:
• Booster vaccination increases IgG1 and IgG4/7, the antibody classes linked with limiting viremia.
• Reduced viremia = reduced likelihood of severe disease and decreased transmission.
• Boosters are most effective in younger horses, previously vaccinated horses, and non-pregnant horses.
Vaccines do NOT stop a horse already incubating EHV-1 from developing signs, and they do not eliminate the risk of neurologic disease. For horses already exposed or febrile, do not vaccinate until cleared by your veterinarian.
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We Will Continue to Update You!
EEAP is actively monitoring cases and communicating with veterinarians across Texas and neighboring states. We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. If your horse is showing fever or any neurologic signs, please contact your veterinarian or call EEAP immediately.
Additional resources included below.
Stay safe, monitor closely, and thank you for helping limit the spread.
Link to ACVIM consensus statement: https://www.acvim.org/research/consensus-statements
Link to AAEP EHV documents:https://aaep.org/.../2024/02/EHV1-4-guidelines-2021.pdf
Link to Equine Disease Center:https://aaep.org/.../2024/02/EHV1-4-guidelines-2021.pdf
aaep.org
aaep.org

11/09/2025

Headed to the second session (out of four) of IVAS certification this next week. Look at the goodies we get to discuss and practice:
equine musculoskeletal conditions (back, stifle, hock, fetlock, and foot),
equine neurological and immune conditions (EPM, wobblers, facial nerve paralysis),
equine respiratory and urogenital conditions (asthma, EIPH, RTI, allergies),
equine endocrine and reproduction, and
gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary

Can't wait to get back and give some extra relief to some of the horses with the above conditions.
Dr. Trish has already integrated acupuncture into her daily exams and treatments and found amazing results!!

Please note my phone does need to stay off during lecture and lab. I will return messages and schedule appointments at the end of the day.

11/03/2025

Due to the government shutdown my accreditation license to perform Coggins and health certificate will expire this Friday. I have submitted the proper documents over a month ago however no one is in the office to process them. PLEASE check your coggins and if they are to expire in November or December contact me immediately so we can get them done this week.

11/02/2025

Shout out to Cross Timbers Stables for an enjoyable vaccination/dental clinic this past Friday. This little rascal wanted to get in line to check his teeth.

11/01/2025

Halloween Horror: Not a Treat, But a Threat.
Horse presented with swollen, draining eye. After sedation and periocular nerve block I could visualize a nasty fungal ulcer.
Horse transferred to our hospital for intensive treatment.

Eyes are always an emergency. If your horse shows signs of squinting, tearing or swelling - don't wait. Call us immediately.

10/30/2025

We would like to welcome Cole Acres Farm to the neighborhood. They moved into the area three months ago. Molly provides Western horseback riding and horsemanship lessons in the Midlothian area. Her trusty mounts range from a Welsh pony to a Shire/TB cross. Go visit her page and welcome her!

10/29/2025

Benelli doesn't quit understand why her owner goes to an island retreat and she goes to boot camp😂

10/21/2025

Watch out for those acorns! It seems to be a high producing year and the horses are scarfing them up. The acorns, oak buds, leaves and twigs produce gallotannins which can damage the gi system, kidneys and liver. Clinical signs are depression, lack of appetite, colic, diarrhea, frequent urination, blood in f***s or urine, and ventral edema. Now the question is how do I stop my horses from eating the acorns? Your can fence off high oak tree areas, trim the branches and provide extra hay.