12/02/2025
Hey everyone, It’s been a couple of weeks into this outbreak, so I think it’s time to talk about what to do when your horse actually gets EHV-1 and the steps you need to take to ensure the best possible outcome. As of late November 2025, there are 33 confirmed EHV-1 or neurologic EHM cases linked to a recent event, and these cases are spread across eight states: Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Colorado, New Mexico, Washington, Arizona, and South Dakota. Remember, these numbers reflect only confirmed and reported cases. Many horses go untested, and some carry the virus silently, and because EHV-1 can remain latent, there’s no accurate national count of all infected horses only the confirmed outbreak data.
EHV-1 can spread quickly and become life threatening, especially if it develops into the neurologic form known as EHM. Your first step is always confirm the diagnosis with a PCR test, start antiviral or anti-inflammatory medications if needed, and create a treatment and monitoring plan that I'll share here.
Strict isolation is essential. Keep the horse at least 30 feet away from all others and use dedicated buckets, pitchforks, halters, blankets, everything. Ideally, have one caregiver, and always care for the sick horse last to avoid carrying the virus to healthy horses.
Next is biosecurity. Wear gloves or wash your hands thoroughly between tasks, and disinfect stalls, surfaces, and equipment, since EHV-1 is easily killed by common disinfectants. Do not share water troughs, trailers, or equipment, and halt all horse movement on and off the property until your vet clears you. Monitor vital signs closely by checking temperature, appetite, behavior, and neurologic signs twice daily. Watch for hind-end weakness, trouble standing, or dribbling urine.
Supportive care is most critical. Your veterinarian may recommend anti-inflammatories, antivirals, IV fluids, deep bedding, slings for neurologic support, or help with bladder management. And once your horse is diagnosed, you should immediately begin 30,000 milligrams of Lysine daily, 4 ounces of colloidal silver twice daily over feed, and most importantly adding Ozactin until symptoms resolve, and adding Neuro-Immune support for six weeks. We have a wonderful success testimonial treating EHM on my page from Randi Holliday and I'd encourage you to check it out.
Reducing stress is another key factor, because stress increases viral replication. Keep the environment calm, minimize activity, and avoid hauling or heavy work. You’ll also need to monitor all exposed horses by taking temperatures twice a day for 21 to 28 days, and if any horse spikes a fever, isolate immediately and get diagnosis and begin the treatment protocol I shared. Most horses need to remain isolated for three to four weeks, sometimes longer depending on testing and severity, so don’t end quarantine early it risks spreading the virus.
EHV-1 is serious, but with fast action, strong biosecurity, proper care, many horses recover fully. Stay informed, stay prepared, and protect your herd.
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