California’s Desert International Horse Park is taking the cautious route after an outbreak of EHV-1 (equine herpes virus) on the premises and is closing access to new arrivals for at least the next week.
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.
The California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA) confirmed three cases of non-neurologic EHV-1 at the 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.
The facility will run a modified horse show for the people who are on the property already. With a smaller show, Horse Park President and CEO Steve Hankin said, “We can spread out the rings to minimize congregation of horses and the potential for nose-to-nose contact. We will issue a revised schedule over the weekend, but we do know for sure that we will not run FEI next week.
“In the end, we have decided to have a smaller horse show for the horses on the property,” as opposed to cancelling the show completely.
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, Steve 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.”