11/19/2025
📢 Heads up horse folks: a serious alert for the barn… 🐴
We’re seeing increased reports of Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) and its neurologic form EHM — and I’m not here to sugar-coat it. If you’re not paying attention, you’re leaving your whole herd exposed.
🔍 What to watch for:
• Fever (101.5°F+) — often the first clue
• Nasal discharge, cough, lethargy
• Neurologic signs: hind-end weakness, stumbling, loss of tail tone, trouble urinating/defecating
• Recent travel or new horses on the property
🚫 What to avoid:
• Ignoring a mild fever
• Assuming vaccination alone will save you
• Sharing tack, buckets, trailers, grooming tools
• Allowing nose-to-nose contact between barns
🛡️ Precautions:
• Take temps twice daily
• Quarantine new/returning horses
• Isolate ANY horse with fever or neuro signs
• Disinfect equipment, trailers, buckets, and high-touch areas
• Limit movement on/off your property
📞 Call your vet immediately if:
You see fever + respiratory signs OR any hint of neurologic symptoms. Don’t wait to “see how they look tomorrow.” Early action matters.
Stay sharp. Protect your horses. Biosecurity isn’t optional with this one.
Sources:
• Washington State Dept. of Agriculture:
https://agr.wa.gov/about-wsda/news-and-media-relations/news-releases?article=40401
• Platinum Performance – EHV-1 Overview:
https://www.platinumperformance.com/articles/ehv1-going-viral.html
• AG Colorado – EHM Neurologic Info:https://ag.colorado.gov/sites/ag/files/documents/A%20critical%20view%20on%20Equine%20Herpesvirus-1%20and%20on%20Equine%20Herpesvirus-associated%20Myeloencephalopathy%20%28EHM%29_1.pdf
• Team Roping Journal – Outbreak Insight:
https://teamropingjournal.com/news/texas-ehv-outbreak-what-to-watch-for-and-how-to-respond
• Additional disease background:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11888933
