California’s Desert International Horse Park is being even more cautious after an outbreak of EHV-1 (equine herpes virus) on the premises, cancelling its show scheduled for this week and closing access to new arrivals for at least the next week.
Instead of running the show under a reduced format as planned, there is now a schedule for each barn/trainer group to school horses in dedicated rings to avoid any exposure to horses outside of their barn/trainer group.The park also has developed rules for the next few days and an updated set of protocols.
Meanwhile, a new show planned for this month at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center also has been cancelled because of the EHV-1 situation. West Palms Events will not be holding LAXtra (Feb. 24-27) at LAEC , Due to the EHV-1 situation at Desert Horse Park and West Palms’ commitment to equine health, it was decided to conclude the LA February show and not add an extra show to the calendar.
Three horses attending the LAEC show had been at DIHP, returned to their home barn, and then came to LAEC after five days of isolation instead of seven.
As soon as West Palms Events management became aware of that, they notified the trainers, and those horses left the property that same day. Furthermore, both trainers assured West Palms that they were monitoring temperatures and all horses in their care had normal temperatures.
West Palms contacted Dr. Katie Hatch, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) veterinarian. Dr. Hatch agreed the risk was extremely low. However, out of respect to the home boarders at LAEC and out of an abundance of caution West Palms made the decision not offer an”other show in the coming week.
“We believe that by rigorously following the CDFA recommendations we can help eliminate the spread of EHV-1 and the risks to horses. We have a long and robust competition season ahead of us,” a West Palms statement said.
This afternoon, West Palms management said it was informed of a horse with an elevated temperature. This horse was stabled in Barn 1.
“At this time, the horse is isolated, and we are awaiting test results,” West Palms Management stated..
Desert Horse Park said yesterday that Individuals with horses that are currently in transit will be turned away if possible, but daily haul-in horses and riders cannot come to the horse park until further notice.
CDFA confirmed three cases of non-neurologic EHV-1 at the Desert park as this situation unfolded. Of the three original horses in isolation, two have now tested negative. There are three additional positive cases, but all were horses that earlier in the week tested negative. All are stable and currently asymptomatic. Two horses with fevers developed neurological symptoms. One of these was euthanized Feb. 18.
Although it would be best if non-quarantined horses stayed on the property to allow for the additional time needed to monitor and limit the potential spread of EHV-1, Horse Park President and CEO Steve Hankin said he understands if customers decide to leave.
“We would strongly encourage anyone who decides to leave to follow the recommended bio-security guidelines of USEF (U.S. Equestrian Federation) and CDFA and segregate their horses for seven days and continue to do temperature checks twice a day during this period.”
He added, “We are as disappointed and concerned as everyone with the emergence of EHV-1 on the property. Each time we send out a test and wait for results or pick up the phone and learn of another sick horse, as happened last night, my heart sinks.”
Noting there are “things each of us can do to help reduce the risk of outbreaks,” Steve added, “We are committed to do our part now and in the future to share and inform everyone of the important best practices we can each adopt for the safety of our horses.”
An EHV-1 outbreak last winter led to mass cancellations of shows in 10 European countries.