Pennsylvania Equine Council

06/10/2026

USDA APHIS has temporarily halted exports of live animals to Mexico, including horses, following a June 3, 2026 detection of New World screwworm in Texas. 1
This restriction is effective immediately and remains in place until further notice. Refer to this link for updates. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/export-live-animals-mexico

06/06/2026

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has provided an important update on New World Screwworm which has been detected in a bovine in Zavala County, Texas. Read the full press release here: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/news/agency-announcements/usda-confirms-presence-new-world-screwworm-united-states

General information about New World Screwworm (NWS) can be found in the text below and in the attached infographic.

The adult screwworm fly is about the size of a common housefly (or slightly larger), with orange eyes, a metallic blue or green body, and three dark stripes along its back. It gets its name from the behavior of its larvae (maggots) as they burrow (screw) into the wound, feeding as they go. The maggots (larvae) cause extensive damage by tearing at the hosts’ tissue with sharp mouth hooks. The wound can quickly become enlarged and deeper as more maggots hatch and feed on living tissue.

Because they feed on live flesh, NWS maggots may burrow deep into wounds or openings, while other species of maggots may appear around the outer surface of the wound. In addition, even the smallest wounds have the potential to attract flies, so it is imperative that you keep a close eye on your animals for any signs of wounds.

Lastly, NWS infestations are a reportable disease! Immediately report any suspicious wounds, maggots, or infestations to a local accredited veterinarian, your State Animal Health Official, or a USDA veterinarian.

For more information, reference this resource from the U.S. Department of Agriculture: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animals/animal-health/livestock-and-poultry-disease/stop-screwworm

05/31/2026

Unfortunately, the stabbing incident of several horses at this NBHA event is true. Prayers for our Pennsylvania horsemen and everyone involved.

An isolated incident was addressed immediately at the 2026 Official NBHA Las Vegas Super Show, and all appropriate steps have been taken to ensure the well being of all horses. We ask for respect and understanding for all involved during this sensitive time.

05/25/2026

Please remember all our soldiers this Memorial Day. All gave some, some gave all is the title of this picture I found for this year.

05/06/2026

Celebrating our mission to support the heritage of the horse in PA. Wissahickon Day Parade April 2026 represents how unified horsemen can make a difference.

03/21/2026

Helping with networking. If you have an important message for your event. Please reach out to PEC

03/21/2026

03/08/2026

02/19/2026

Here are some fascinating horse tooth facts from the American Association of Equine Practitioners! Does your horse get a dental exam once a year?

Did you know that February is ? 🦷

Your equine's dental health is an essential part of their overall health and well-being. Therefore, it is imperative that your veterinarian perform AT LEAST one dental exam on your horse per year to ensure that their teeth, gums, and other oral structures are healthy. Poor dental health can also have adverse effects on other areas of the body if not addressed.

This graphic offers a quick overview of things you might not know about equine teeth and tooth wear.

If you're interested in learning more about equine dentistry, check out the recording of the webinar for horse owners that was presented last week on the topic of dentistry here: https://youtu.be/ABqWu9XMAi8?si=_O-L_OGFbyfaIh3p

Thank you to the Horse Owner Education Committee for providing this information.

If you have questions or concerns about your horse's dental health, contact your veterinarian.

02/01/2026

📣 EHV-1 Neuropathogenic/EHM Update—The following is directly from the Arizona state veterinarian. As always, we’ll update again if new travel requirements are released.

“The AZDA was notified by the attending veterinarian Wednesday night that two horses from Pinal county displaying neurologic signs tested positive with point of care EHV-1 tests on samples collected that evening. On Thursday, AZDA began reaching out to event organizers requesting information of attendees / registrants or contact info for messaging. On Friday 1/30/2026, one of the two hospitalized horses was humanely euthanized due to progressive neurologic deterioration. Confirmation of EHV-1 (neuropathogenic) by the reference lab was reported Friday afternoon. The events where exposure to the affected horse(s) or dangerous contact (exposed) horses of the affected horses (ie. other horses from the premises of origin of the two clinical horses) are as follows:

January 18, 2026 – Horseshoe Park Extreme Barrel Race
January 20, 2026 – ICE Wittmann Breakaway Roping
January 21, 2026 – Roper Nation Breakaway Roping
January 21, 2026 – John Volken Academy Ranch
January 23, 2026 – TACC Thunderbird Farms Arena
January 24, 2026 - Horseshoe Park Extreme Barrel Race
January 27, 2026 – TACC Thunderbird Farms Arena

As always, many horses even in a normal population may be completely asymptomatic intermittently shedding herpes virus and a smaller subset of those will be shedding neurotrophic herpes (and still may be asymptomatic). Given the extensive show history that has already occurred it's difficult to be on the leading edge of this like the horses returning to Arizona from the Waco, TX and Guthrie, OK events at the end of November where quarantine of returning horses was more feasible. In the current situation the best course of action for your clientele if they have had horses at these historical events would be to encourage re**al temperature monitoring twice daily with logging the results to chart trends, prompt reporting of any signs consistent with EHV-1 (respiratory or neuro) infection to their attending veterinarian and testing (nasal swab and whole blood PCR) if indicated, and voluntary self-quarantine from attending any new shows for the next 14 days.”