Two saddlebreds at the Virginia Horse Center for the Shenandoah Classic competition tested positive for Equine Herpesivrus-1(EHV-1) last week. Both were taken to a veterinary clinic where one was euthanized and the other was stable after receiving medical care.
Approximately 80 horses were under quarantine after being stabled in the same barn as the two positive horses at the Lexington, Va., facility. They were prohibited from competition and were placed in isolation by the State Veterinarian’s Office of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Each was monitored twice daily for fever (temperature over 101.50° F) and other clinical signs.
None of the 80 quarantined horses remained on the grounds after Sunday, June 25. Starting June 26, the State Veterinarian’s office put a special team on the grounds, disinfecting every stall and grounds equipment such as Bobcats, tractors, muck buckets, rakes, etc. Dr. Abby Sage has stated that after June 26, the Virginia Horse Center will have the “safest stalls in the country”.
Glenn Petty, horse center CEO stated “The Virginia Horse Center cannot state enough how appreciative we are for the professional and common sense leadership of Dr. Abby Sage and Dr. Tabitha Moore, State Veterinarian’s office; Dr. Ginger Reagan, show veterinarian; Dr. Hugh Behling, Kalarama Farm veterinarian; Dr. Katie Flynn, USEF BioSecurity Veterinarian; and R H Bennett, show manager.
“We had a great team and thoughtful management of the situation worked. Also, the trainers and exhibitors could not have been more supportive and cooperative. At the end of the large trainer meeting, the team was given a round of applause for the handling of this situation.”
Moving onto the grounds this week will be the Arabian Horse Association Region 15 and 16 Championship and the Vaulting Region IX Championship. The House Mountain Hunter Jumper Show scheduled for this week has been moved to July 18-19.
For more information on EHV-1 or the latest on disease outbreaks visit https://equinediseasecc.org/.