In response to the on-going Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) and Equine Herpes Virus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) disease incidents from an event in Ogden, Utah held from April 29 to May 8, 2011, USDA has compiled individual state EHV-1 reports and released the initial national EHV-1 situation report. A summary of the current situation is as follows:
The complete USDA EHV-1 Situation Report is available here. The AHC anticipates USDA releasing the next national situation report at the end of next week. In the interim, the AHC stresses the importance of responsible ownership practices and informed communication among industry organizations. Please see the below links for additional information on EHV-1 transmission risks and disease mitigation strategies.
Additional Resources
USDA-APHIS website:
EHV information sheets, color brochures, historical information, a review of disease mitigation strategies, and an EHV-1 guidance document (which will be available later today) "Recommendations for Horses Exposed to EHV-1 or EHM" can be found on the USDA-APHIS website at the following link:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/
AAEP website:
General EHV resources through the American Association of Equine Practitioners:
http://www.aaep.org/ehv_
Neurologic Disease Guidelines:
http://www.aaep.org/pdfs/
Equine Herpes Virus:
http://www.aaep.org/images/
Biosecurity Guidelines:
http://www.aaep.org/pdfs/
Biosecurity Instructions for Caretakers - English & Spanish:
http://www.aaep.org/pdfs/
National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) website:
For history of the current outbreak and additional outreach materials:
ACVIM Consensus Statement on EHV-1:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.
Did you know that the USEA Foundation awards over 150 grants each year to deserving individuals who are involved in the sport of eventing? With grants that assist riders with accomplishing their competition goals, grants geared toward licensed officials, grants that are specific to continuing education for coaches, grants that assist competitions with obtaining frangible technology, and so much more, there really is a grant opportunity available to almost anyone!
With the start of the New Year just days away, now is the time to consider how your actions can have a positive impact on the sport of eventing in 2025. Each and every member of the eventing community has an important role to play in ensuring the sport continues to grow and thrive. From fostering educational opportunities to supporting grassroots initiatives and participating at all levels of the sport, there are so many ways to get involved.
Ride iQ’s popular “Ask An Expert” series features professional advice and tips from all areas of the horse industry. One of the most-downloaded episodes is an expert session with Peter Gray, an accomplished dressage judge and Olympic eventer. He has recently judged at events like the five-star at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, and he served on the ground jury at the 2022 FEI World Eventing Championships in Pratoni, Italy. His background as a competitor in the Olympic Games riding for Bermuda and as a coach and selector for the Canadian eventing team adds depth to his understanding of the sport.
With a total of 382 volunteer hours in 2024, Catherine “Cathy” Hale not only topped the USEA Area III VIP Volunteer leaderboard, but she also ranked fourth out of all eventing volunteers across the country. Hale (The Villages, Florida) has worked as a travel agent for over 30 years, a career that suits her love of travel nicely. At the time of being interviewed for this article, Hale was passing the equator on a cruise to Tahiti, New Zealand, and Australia.