Understanding the Equine EHV Outbreak

What Horse Owners Need to Know

Equine Herpesvirus (EHV) outbreaks are a serious concern in the horse community, especially during busy travel and show seasons. With increased movement between barns, competitions, and training facilities, understanding what EHV is, how it spreads, and how to reduce risk is essential for every horse owner and trainer.

What Is Equine Herpesvirus (EHV)?

Equine Herpesvirus is a highly contagious viral disease that affects horses worldwide. While many horses are exposed to EHV at some point in their lives, outbreaks, particularly of EHV-1, can have severe consequences.

There are multiple strains of EHV, but EHV-1 is most concerning because it can cause:

Respiratory illness
Abortion in pregnant mares
Neurological disease known as Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM)

How Does EHV Spread?

EHV spreads easily through:

Direct horse-to-horse contact
Shared equipment such as halters, lead ropes, water buckets, fly masks, and grooming tools
Human contact, including hands, clothing, and footwear
Airborne droplets from coughing or nasal discharge

Because the virus can survive on surfaces, shared or improperly cleaned gear plays a major role in transmission during outbreaks.

Why Outbreaks Are More Common During Show Season

Horse shows, clinics, and training events increase the risk of EHV transmission due to:

High horse traffic
Shared stabling areas
Communal wash racks and cross-ties
Horses traveling long distances under stress, which can weaken their immune systems

Even horses that appear healthy can shed the virus, making preventative measures especially important.

Signs and Symptoms of EHV

Clinical signs of EHV can vary, but common symptoms include:

Fever
Nasal discharge
Coughing
Lethargy
Poor coordination or weakness (neurological cases)

If you suspect EHV, contact your veterinarian immediately and isolate the horse.

Preventative Measures Every Horse Owner Should Take

While no single step can eliminate risk entirely, good biosecurity practices significantly reduce the chance of infection.

Key prevention strategies include:

Avoiding shared equipment whenever possible
Disinfecting tack, grooming tools, and protective gear regularly
Limiting unnecessary travel during active outbreaks
Monitoring horses daily for fever or behavior changes
Keeping individual fly masks, boots, and halters assigned to each horse

Why Individual Fly Masks Matter During an EHV Outbreak

Fly masks are often overlooked when it comes to biosecurity, but they sit close to the eyes, nose, and face areas most vulnerable to viral transmission.
Using individual, non-shared fly masks helps:

Reduce cross-contamination between horses
Protect sensitive eyes from dust, debris, and irritation that could weaken defenses
Support overall turnout comfort without unnecessary exposure

During an outbreak, many barns implement strict “no sharing” policies for all equipment, and fly masks should be no exception.

Staying Informed and Responsible

The equestrian community plays a critical role in controlling EHV outbreaks. Staying informed, respecting quarantine protocols, and practicing good hygiene protects not only your horse but everyone else’s as well.

Responsible horse ownership means making thoughtful choices even when they’re inconvenient to protect the health of the entire community.