Just when it seemed that we had survived the pandemic and that life had gotten back to some version of normal, hold your horses, along comes Waco, Texas, and a whole new set of outbreak problems.
Waco, Texas, isn’t shy when it comes to making headlines. It’s the birthplace of Dr. Pepper, the home to the infamous Branch Davidians Disaster and now, ground zero for the onset of the current outbreak of Equine Herpes Virus and Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy.
The virus causes respiratory and neurological symptoms and in pregnant mares, spontaneous abortion. As far as viruses go, it’s a nasty one and the horse community, around the country, is on high alert as this active virus runs its course.
On Nov. 5-9 at the WPRA World Finals and Elite Barrel Race in Waco, a horse became infected with the aggressive and highly contagious strain of the EHV Type-1 Virus and subsequently exposed other horses, then they all left and traveled back to their home states, bringing the virus with them, and this has led to the outbreak across the country.
While the virus is highly contagious with a high mortality rate and certainly cause for concern, it’s important to educate yourself and speak to your veterinarian if you are concerned. At times like this, there is a lot of misinformation out there and spreading that causes mayhem.
While the virus is always present, it lingers in the horse population in its latent form and does not actively cause disease. It’s when horses that carry the latent virus experience reactivation, from issues like stress, that have the potential to cause widespread infection, making biosecurity protocols extremely important.
The virus is spread through nasal secretions, droplets from coughing and most worrisome, from indirect contact, such as one person handling a horse then touching another horse or through shared grooming tools, feed buckets, hoses, etc. Infected horses are quarantined for 21 days and treated with supportive therapy.
As of Saturday there are 50 active infected horses reported, with 28 of them exhibiting neurological symptoms. The virus has spread across Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Washington and here in our home states, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona. The potential for widespread and nationwide infection is a very real threat.
During times of pandemic infection, be it human or equine form, it’s important to pause and remember that using a little horse sense and commonsense go a long way. When you panic, you react, when you approach a problem from a place of education, you can act and make a difference.
Horse shows, events and rodeos are being canceled both locally and across the country. My barn like many, is on quarantine, meaning that no horses are coming or going from the facility. Farriers, veterinarians and anyone coming and going from the barn are being asked to disinfect their equipment and avoid sharing tools. The golden rule applies to all, especially during times like this. It’s especially important to think of your neighbor in the stall next door as much as your own horses.
This outbreak couldn’t come at a more inopportune time. With the National Finals Rodeo right around the corner on Dec. 4-13, many people here in the horse community are waiting on pins and needles to see what will happen.
Cowboys and cowgirls work all year to qualify and compete in this prestigious rodeo. While the main NFR event is not canceled, there are enhanced biosecurity protocols being enforced and some of the auxiliary events have been postponed or canceled all together.
While a lot of this is certainly a huge inconvenience and disappointment, if we all come together and abide by the safety protocols to keep each other’s horses as safe as our own, then it will hopefully pass more quickly, and we can all get back out on the trail.
Jenny Johnston is a fourth-generation Durango local, part-time rodeo announcer and full-time wrangler to two lil’ buckaroos.
