Jun 16, 2023

Vesicular Stomatitis Update - USEF-Licensed Competitions Continue During Vesicular Stomatitis Outbreak

By USEF - Edited Press Release

As we have learned over the last few years, viruses can impact both human and equine athletes. They constantly evolve and are outside of our control. The U.S. Equestrian Federation (USEF) has been in daily contact with state and federal officials managing the current vesicular stomatitis (VS) outbreak to evaluate risk and determine what measures are necessary to protect the health of our equine athletes through the implementation of necessary biosecurity measures.

Currently, cases are limited to southern California, but the outbreak is likely to spread northward in California due to the fly vector movement and climate. USEF competitors and competition management should prepare for the outbreak to continue through the summer and likely the fall.

As of today, USEF supports continuation of competitions where biosecurity measures have been implemented.

To best protect our equine athletes and competitors, USEF has implemented requirements for competitions with horses originating from VS-affected states (those horses which have been in a VS-affected state within the preceding 14 days of entry to a competition grounds.) These requirements include an official state issued or approved timed certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) (health certificate) issued by a licensed veterinarian within 5 days prior to entry to the competition grounds; arrival veterinarian/trained technician examination for vesicular lesions, prohibition and removal of any horse with vesicular lesions, and mandatory daily temperature recordings and observations for lesions.

The following are important notes to take with you:

1.In the last 50 years, there have been no outbreaks associated with spread of this virus at a competition.
2.Stopping lesioned animals from entering the event grounds prevents the virus from entering and spreading on the competition grounds.
3.Commingling horses on event grounds is always a risk for infectious diseases such as equine influenza, strangles, and equine herpesvirus. Vesicular stomatitis is just one of many viruses targeted by the recommended routine biosecurity measures.
4.The VS virus causes unsightly and painful blister-like lesions which are typically self-limiting and resolve within 14 days. However, horses which are immunocompromised or have metabolic conditions are likely to suffer from more severe clinical signs and may die due to complications of the disease.
5.Studies have shown only 10% of horses on premises with infected vectors will present with clinical signs that are self-limiting, and most resolve within 14 days. This reinforces the need to follow biosecurity protocols at all times.
6.The virus and lesioned animals can impact interstate and international trade restrictions. It is important to contact the office of the state veterinarian in the state of origin and destination to obtain movement requirements.
7.Implementing fly control measures on the event premises reduces potential risk of vector spread. Although vesicular stomatitis virus can infect any horse, many of the confirmed clinical cases have been horses with significant time on pasture or on premises with limited to no fly vector control.

Healthy horses support healthy competitions. We will continue to support the basic biosecurity measures for all equine athletes:

Limit horse-to-horse contact.
Limit non-essential human contact.
Avoid sharing of equipment unless it is cleaned and disinfected between uses.
Avoid communal water.
Take twice-daily temperatures of horses during competition.

As the outbreak continues, USEF will continue to evaluate the effectiveness and necessity of these preventative biosecurity measures. The latest information on USEF protocols and the VS situation can be found at https://www.usef.org/compete/resources-forms/competition-management/competition-safety-biosecurity. Additionally, we encourage you to go to the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) website and sign up for alerts for ongoing updates.

May 06, 2025 Sponsor

#WeRideTogether Renews Partnership with USEA to Promote Awareness and Education for Safer, Healthier Horse Sport

The United States Eventing Association (USEA) is proud to announce the continued partnership with #WeRideTogether as an Official Educational Partner of the USEA. #WeRideTogether is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing safety and well-being in sports through safeguarding education and abuse prevention efforts.

May 05, 2025 Interscholastic

Thanks to the 2025 USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Eventing Championships Supporters!

The 2025 USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Eventing Championships were an incredible success, ushering the programs forward as the first standalone championships knock on the door for 2026. The Intercollegiate and IEL Programs were merged for their year-end championships to ensure that the USEA’s junior and young adult members have a goal to continue to pursue their passion for eventing throughout their educational years and beyond, and the support the event has received in the last two years has been astounding.

May 05, 2025 Education

USEA Podcast #386: All About Pre-Purchase Exams

A pre-purchase examination (PPE) is big part of investing in a new eventing partner, but there are so many options and add-ons that can be done in a PPE that the process can feel a bit daunting. USEA Podcast Host Nicole Brown sat down with equine veterinarian and USEA Board of Governors member Dr. Angie Yates, DVM, to discuss all things related to the PPE, different perspectives to keep in mind, and more in this week's episode of the USEA Podcast. This episode is a great one if you anticipate you will be in the market for a new horse soon!

May 04, 2025 Interscholastic

'We Can All Celebrate Together’: Iron Bridge Hounds Pony Club Brings Home the Victory in USEA IEL Championship

Amidst the unbridled enthusiasm of the USEA Intercollegiate teams competing in this weekend’s USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Eventing Championships at Stable View (Aiken, S.C.), the Interscholastic Eventing League (IEL) riders have held their own with displays of teamwork and horsemanship all weekend long. While all teams put their best foot forward, one team rose above the rest. The Iron Bridge Hounds Pony Club came into the weekend with one goal in mind—to win. They achieved that goal by such a large margin, a little more than 16 points, that they were able to claim the title of champions before their last rider, 16-year-old Claire McMillan, had even left the start box.

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