11/19/2025
Hey everyone, I know we’ve all been hearing a lot about a huge outbreak in EHV-1 (Equid Alphaherpesvirus 1).
Here is what you need to know to protect, and prevent the spread.
EHV-1 is a contagious respiratory illness that can cause a serious neurological disease in horses called EHM (Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy) and abortion of fetuses in pregnant mares.
It can be spread through direct contact (nose to nose), respiratory droplets (sneezing, snorting, coughing) and through contaminated equipment.
The symptoms of EHV-1 include: fever, nasal discharge and coughing.
The symptoms of EHM include: hind end weakness, incoordination, leaning, urinary incontinence and in progressed cases, paralysis.
It can also cause late term pregnancy loss in mares with no prior symptoms.
The best way to do your part in preventing the spread is to follow a few precautions! Limit horse to horse contact, avoid unnecessary travel with your horses (this includes to and from boarding facilities, shows and rodeos), avoid communal water sources and disinfect stalls and equipment thoroughly!
If you do believe your horse has been exposed, it’s recommended to quarantine that animal for 21 days and monitor for symptoms.
As equine professionals, the Koch Equine team is doing our best to ensure the likelihood of spreading this disease is reduced by disinfection between each horse we attend! As recommended we are using a solution of 10:1 water and bleach on all hard equipment, Lysol disinfectant on all soft surfaces and washing hand with antibacterial soap and using hand sanitizer between each horse, regardless of if they are at the same location!
‼️If you do suspect anything out of the ordinary with your horses, the best and fastest course of action is to call your vet! ‼️