Dr. Erika M. Johnson, DVM

02/06/2026

01/21/2026

I’m not even sure where this myth came from, but it’s definitely a myth!

11/22/2025

𝐄𝐇𝐕-𝟏 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐇𝐌 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬

The initial outbreak of EHV-1 with an EHM (Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy) form occurred after a Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) World Finals event in Waco, TX (Nov. 5-9). After this event, many of the same horses attended other events in TX and OK before experiencing any clinical signs (average of 4-7 day incubation period), which is what contributed to the multi-state spread of this disease. After the BFA event in Guthrie, OK was cancelled, owners were advised to leave the premises, bringing potentially exposed horses back to their home states and is another reason why we are seeing the disease in so many areas now.

As of 12:00pm on 11/21/2025, there are 15 confirmed cases of EHM and 1 confirmed case of EHV-1 without neurologic signs in the states of Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Colorado and New Mexico. There is one unrelated case (not associated with this event/outbreak) reported in Maryland. There are many other horses undergoing testing without confirmed, reported numbers at this time.

So, what does this mean for current travel recommendations, health certificate requirements and upcoming events?

𝐀𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐨𝐧𝐚 & 𝐍𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐝𝐚 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐠.: Horses that have been at the following locations will not be allowed entry into the state for 21 days following potential exposure even if they are not symptomatic if they have been on the following premises (subject to change):

- Extraco Events Center (Waco, TX)
- 377 Arena (Stephenville, TX)
- Lazy E Arena (Guthrie, OK)
- Jackson County (Edna, TX)

Health certificates for the horses traveling into these states will require a statement from the veterinarian filling out the health certificate stating that the horse has not been on one of these premises (or any that come up with an EHV-1/EHM positive case) for the 21 days leading up to the date of the health certificate.

𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐲𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝟑𝟎 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐛𝐞 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝟓 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐢𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐚 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐇𝐕-𝟏/𝐄𝐇𝐌.

The National Finals Rodeo Committee released the following statement this morning in regards to the NFR event happening in December:
- “All horses must have a 7 day Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) and unique entry permit number obtained from the NV Dept. of Ag.
- All participants and competitors are responsible for daily temperature monitoring of their horses.
- There is a no-travel advisory for all horses participating and competing at the NFR.
- Enhanced verification and check-in procedures will be in place at the Thomas & Mack Center.
- Biosecurity measures will be maintained throughout the event.”

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 (𝐎𝐃𝐀) has additionally released new rules to mitigate EHV risk. Exhibitions/events where other equines will be present need to register with the ODA at least 20 days prior to the event. Additionally, event organizers/producers need to have a record of all animals/competitors for 90 days following the event, which will only need to be made available to the ODA in the case of an outbreak. They recommend consulting with your licensed veterinarian on protocols to establish if a sick animal is discovered during the event, and a licensed veterinarian of record must be available to provide services during the event. If any animals show potential signs of infectious, contagious or communicable disease they will not be allowed entry to exhibitions/events, and should remain isolated until they are able to be examined by a veterinarian.

As this is an evolving situation, guidelines will likely continue to change. Please feel free to ask questions in the comments below.

Up to date information on reported positive cases can be found here: https://equinediseasecc.org/news/article/Equine-Herpesvirus-Myeloencephalopathy-(EHM)-Outbreak

Rules for the state of OR can be found here: https://www.oregon.gov/oda/animal-health-feeds-livestock-id/exhibitions/pages/exhibition-rules.aspx

-Dr. Cooper

02/22/2025

01/22/2025

It’s not uncommon to find horses and ponies living well into their 20s and 30s, thanks to continuous advances in nutrition and health care.

Horse owners have a big impact as well and can help their horses thrive in their golden years through proper management practices like those illustrated in the graphic. But remember, although there is much you can do on your own to keep your older horse happy and spry, some conditions associated with aging require medical intervention.

Scheduling regular visits and keeping a good line of communication with your veterinarian will allow you to respond quickly to any ailments or injuries that could cause your horse a serious or prolonged set back. That means less worry for you, and a better quality of life for your old friend!

01/13/2025

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU'RE EXPECTING (A FOAL) 🐴

If your mare has made it through 11 months of pregnancy, you're almost there. Labor and delivery, while momentous, are generally uncomplicated — however, being a prepared and informed owner will help you keep your anxiety in check so you can assist the new mother and foal get off to a great start.

Here are some things you can do to prepare for the arrival of the foal:

• Consult with your veterinarian well in advance of the birth. Know how to reach your regular veterinarian after hours and ask about a back-up or referring veterinarian in case your regular horse doctor is not available.

• Clean and disinfect the stall as thoroughly as possible. Provide adequate bedding.

• Wash the mare's udder, v***a and hindquarters with a mild soap and rinse thoroughly.

• Wrap the mare's tail with a clean wrap when you observe the first stage of labor. Be sure that the wrap is not applied too tightly or left on too long, as it can cut off circulation and permanently damage the tail.

• Time each stage of labor, to help you keep accurate track of the mare's progress. Take written notes! When you're worried or anxious, your perception of time can become distorted.

As always, these are general guidelines, and you should contact your veterinarian for more information specific to your situation. Good luck!

01/04/2025

FUN FACT FRIDAY!

Are you familiar with the many adaptations that help your horse stay warm during the cold winter months?

🌾 Hindgut digestion of hay produces the most heat, acting as a small furnace inside of the horse. This is why free choice; good quality hay is so important in the winter.

💪 Horses have a huge muscle mass and muscle activity produces heat. This includes running and playing and even shivering if their body temperature starts to drop. It is important to remember that these activities also will result in a bigger caloric demand so free choice hay and in some cases, grain, is often needed.

🧥 To blanket or not to blanket is a constant debate but either way, as it starts to get cold your horse will grow a thicker coat. If you decide to leave your horse unblanketed you may notice that they look “fluffy”. This is due to a phenomenon called piloerection where the hair stands up to better trap air within. Two layers of the coat also help with warmth. The inner layer is softer and has air pockets to create an insulating layer. The outer layer is coarse and has oils that keep moisture from penetrating the insulating layer and keep the horse warm.

⚖️ Wild horses go into the winter heavier than ideal, and the fat serves as an extra layer of insulation. However, if a horse is going to be kept heavily blanketed and in a barn during the cold weather months this is unnecessary and can lead to obesity related issues.

🦵Their distal limbs (below the knees and hocks) are made of mostly bones and tendons, tissues that are resistant to the cold temperatures.

🦶The hooves have an alternative route of blood circulation through larger vessels that can be used in low temperatures. This is why horses can stand in snow without detrimental effects.

👃A horse’s nose has a robust blood supply and is rounded so that it is less susceptible to frostbite than a human’s nose.
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Courtesy of the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee

12/21/2024

Do you know where your horse’s guttural pouches are? Here’s a quick read to learn more!

12/06/2024

DID YOU KNOW?

Strangles was one of the first equine diseases to be described by the early writers of veterinary science (was first reported in 1215) and is one of the most commonly diagnosed contagious diseases of the horse, worldwide. Though strangles is highly contagious and can affect many horses on a farm, particularly young animals, most horses with infection recover without complication.

It is not uncommon for strangles infections to recur on a farm with previous outbreaks of the disease. The bacteria can survive in water sources for over a month, but the primary source of recurrent infections is most likely asymptomatic carrier horses. Anywhere from 4-50% of the horses on farms with recurring strangles are asymptomatic carriers of the infection, and they may continue to shed the bacteria for months to even years, serving as a continual source of new infections.

If you suspect a strangles outbreak, be sure to involve your veterinarian right away to determine the diagnosis and the best control practices for your particular farm. Strangles is a reportable disease in some states. Movement of any horses on or off the farm should be stopped, and new horses should not be introduced. Monitoring the temperature of all horses daily and isolating horses at the first sign of fever is one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of infection. Infected horses can transmit the bacteria to healthy horses one to two days after they develop a fever.

To learn more about strangles, visit our website at https://aaep.org/resource/client-education-presentation-understanding-equine-strangles/

As always, your veterinarian remains your best source of information and advice!

11/14/2024

Winter is creeping up on us. When the temperature starts to drop, we get numerous calls from clients wanting to know how to best keep their horses warm.

Here are some tips for caring for your horses and livestock in these subzero temperatures:

Shelter - outside shelters should have at least 3 walls to protect animals from the wind. Having a heated barn with indoor stalls is a bonus! Newborns should be brought inside if at all possible as they cannot thermoregulate as well as adults.

Feed - providing plenty of hay/forage for horses and livestock increases their metabolism and produces heat to keep them warm. Keeping hay in front of them at all times is ideal.

Water-accessible water can be problematic in freezing temperatures. Water tank heaters are a great way to prevent water sources from freezing over. Be sure to check your tank heaters. Horses and livestock can often feel a shock from damaged or old tank heaters that we are unable to feel with our hands. You can check your tank heater by using a multimeter. Check the current in the water before the heater is added, then check it again once the heater is in the tank. If the current is higher with the tank heater added, you need a new heater.

Blanketing - most horses and livestock do not need blanketed if they are a healthy weight and have a good hair coat. Horses and livestock have thicker skin than we do and larger body mass, so they do not lose heat as easily. But thin animals, or those who have not yet developed a heavy hair coat need to be blanketed when the temperatures drop.

Please call if you have any questions or concerns. We are open 24/7 for emergencies. 406-257-9399