Alabama Horse Council

12/19/2025

Save the date! Columbiana Cowboy Day is Saturday, February 28th!
Vendor applications are now available on our website!
https://www.cityofcolumbiana.com/special-events/pages/cowboy-day

11/25/2025

November 25, 8-9:30 PM
Webinar about updates on the EHV-1 outbreak.

In the wake of the EHV-1 outbreak in the United States, the American Association of Equine Practitioners and the Equine Disease Communications Center will be hosting a webinar to bring you the most up-to-date news. The webinar will take place Tuesday, Nov. 25, 8-9:30 p.m. Eastern.

Join specialists Dr. Lewis R. “Bud” Dinges (Texas Animal Health Commission Executive Director and Texas State Veterinarian), Dr. Krista Estell (AAEP/EDCC) and Dr. Katie Flynn (USEF) for an informative discussion of what EHV-1 is, how to recognize it, and most importantly, how to prevent it spreading.

Attendance is free, but limited to the first 1,000 people, however all who register will receive a link to an on-demand recording, which will be available 24 hours after the live session.

Register: https://aaep.org/event/horse-owner-webinar-ehv-1-updates/

🔗 https://www.theplaidhorse.com/2025/11/24/aaep-and-edcc-to-host-ehv-1-updates-webinar/

11/22/2025

Did you know that the equine industry produces over $25.3 billion dollars annually with a total impact of $112.1 billion on the U.S. Gross Domestic Product?

Learn more about the economic and social impact horses have on society here: 🔗 https://elcr.org/conservation.../equine-economic-impact/

11/22/2025

URGENT UPDATE: EECVI Permits for Equine Travel Temporarily Suspended

Due to a multi-state EHV outbreak linked to equine events, states are no longer accepting EECVI movement permits for horses.

✋ Do NOT issue new EECVIs
✅ GVL CVIs are still accepted and can be used instead
📞 Contact the destination state animal health officials before ANY equine movement
⚠️ Additional restrictions may be in place

We'll update you when EECVI movement permits are accepted again. Thank you for helping protect equine health during this outbreak.

Get the latest updates 👉 https://hubs.la/Q03Vh9bT0

11/21/2025

Here is another source for information on EHV-1 and EHM cases.

In early November 2025, an outbreak of a particularly aggressive strain of Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 (EHV-1) was linked to the World Championship Barrel Racing Finals held in the Waco, Texas area (Nov 5–9).

11/21/2025

Message to our horse community- As we review our Facebook posts and comments, we’d like to address two of the most common questions posed in our feed:

-1- Why is there lag time between cases reported by the EDCC and sick horses that I know about from my own experience/a friend’s experience/a Facebook friend’s experience?
· The EDCC’s mission is to improve the health and welfare of horses by communicating real time alerts and information to help prevent and mitigate equine infectious diseases. We take this mission- and your trust in us- very seriously, and hold ourselves to the highest possible standard for reporting. This means that we only report cases submitted by a veterinarian or state animal health official. All alerts that are posted are reviewed by our veterinary team to confirm accuracy.
· EHM is a reportable disease. This means that the disease must be reported to the state animal health official once it is confirmed. The state animal health officials then have the task of performing contact tracing and quarantining facilities to prevent spread. In many cases, state veterinarians choose to do contact tracing first before reporting to the EDCC or the public that a case has been confirmed so that a quarantine is in place first, and affected horse owners are the first to know.
· Testing takes time. Sample collection, shipping to a lab, and PCR testing can require hours to days before results are delivered. During large outbreaks, laboratory times can be slower than usual.
· Finally, some horse owners may decline testing- these cases are recorded as suspects if a veterinarian chooses to report them.

-2- What is the difference between EHV-1 and EHM?
· Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) is a neurologic manifestation of Equine Herpesvirus infection. The majority of EHM cases are caused by EHV-1.
· While EHV-1 most commonly causes respiratory disease, some strains cause outbreaks of neurologic disease. EHV-1 causes neurologic signs as a result of inflammation of the blood vessels and activation of blood coagulation within the brain and spinal cord. Neurologic signs occur as a result of a lack of blood flow and resulting damage to the brain or spinal cord; this disease manifestation is known as Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM).
· Classic clinical signs of EHM include fever, swelling/stocking up of the limbs, hindlimb weakness, and urine dribbling. Some horses are more severely affected and display behavior changes, signs of cranial nerve dysfunction, seizures, and inability to stand. While EHM is a serious disease, the majority of cases are not fatal. In most outbreaks of EHM, 60-70% of affected horses recover with treatment and supportive care. Veterinary evaluation and isolation of exposed or affected horses is crucial.

11/21/2025

This, the Equine Disease Communication Center, is one of your best sources for keeping up to date on infectious diseases in horses. It’s free to sign up to get alerts.

The Equine Disease Communication Center is monitoring an outbreak of EHM that originated at the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) World Finals and Elite Barrel Race event Nov 5-9. To date, officially confirmed cases have been reported in the following states:

11/20/2025

By now, you have probably heard about the active outbreak of the EHV-1 virus. We are sharing this information to help keep you informed of what to do and how to respond to this horrible virus. Be aware and stay informed. When in doubt, check with your vet.

📣 Equine Virus Update & Important Prevention Steps
(Information sourced from Brazos Valley Equine Hospitals)

There is an active EHV-1 outbreak affecting horses in parts of Texas and Oklahoma, including several confirmed and suspected cases—some with neurologic symptoms (EHM). While this outbreak is NOT currently in our area, it’s important that we stay informed and take simple, proactive measures to protect our herds. We will be posting a biosecurity protocol this afternoon after consulting with the Alabama State Vet.

Below is a summary of the latest guidance from Brazos Valley Equine Hospitals (BVEH), who are closely monitoring the situation:

🚫 1. Limit Travel & Keep Horses Home
Hauling, shows, clinics, and mixing horse groups increases risk.
Movement is currently the #1 factor spreading EHV-1.

🌡️ 2. Take Temperatures Twice Daily
Fever is often the very first sign—sometimes the only early sign.
Call your vet for any temp ≥ 101.5°F.

⚠️ 3. Watch for These Signs & Contact Your Vet Immediately
• Fever
• Weakness or incoordination
• Standing with hind legs wide
• Changes in tail tone
• Difficulty urinating
• Lethargy or decreased appetite
Early veterinary intervention can improve outcomes.

💊 4. Follow Veterinary Guidance for Exposed or Febrile Horses
Your veterinarian may recommend:
• Valacyclovir
• Anti-thrombotics (e.g., aspirin)
• Anti-inflammatories
• Supportive care
(These should only be given under veterinary direction.)

🧼 5. Practice Strong Biosecurity
• Do NOT share buckets, tack, grooming tools, or stalls
• Disinfect trailers, thermometers, and high-touch areas
• Immediately isolate any horse with a fever

💉 About Vaccination
While vaccines do not prevent the neurologic form (EHM), they can reduce viral shedding and help limit barn-wide spread.
Boosters are most helpful when:
• It’s been > 90 days since the last vaccination, or
• A horse will enter a higher-risk environment in the future
Do not vaccinate febrile or currently exposed horses without veterinary clearance.

✔️ Staying Informed
Brazos Valley Equine continues to monitor cases across Texas and is sharing updates with veterinarians statewide. They also have EHV and biosecurity resources available at bveh.com.
We will continue watching the situation and will share important updates as they become available. In the meantime, staying alert and using good biosecurity is our best defense.

If you have questions about your horse’s exposure risk, vaccination status, or preventive care, please reach out. Let’s work together to keep our herds healthy and safe.

11/15/2025

Free webinar!

Join Dr. Lacher Wednesday for this FREE Webinar! And if you haven't checked out RideIQ, you absolutely should. It's like Peloton for riding, and it's amazing!
https://rideiqelevate.com/live-webinar

11/12/2025

Join the VETERANS DAY PARADE on Saturday, November 15, in Oakman, AL (Walker County). Horse and riders welcome. See contact information below.