11/20/2025
With recent reports of Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1) popping up in a few areas of the U.S., many horse owners are understandably paying closer attention to their barn’s health updates. While any outbreak can sound alarming, this is a good moment to stay informed rather than stressed. Veterinarians and state officials are actively monitoring the situation, and most barns can greatly reduce risk with simple, practical biosecurity steps.
EHV is definitely a contagious virus, which is why outbreaks tend to move quickly through groups of horses, but it’s important to remember that the form we most commonly see is the respiratory type. This version usually causes fever, nasal discharge, and a bit of lethargy, and most horses recover well with supportive care. Young horses, whose immune systems are still developing, are generally the most at risk for more noticeable symptoms. These typically include weanlings, yearlings, and two year olds.
The reproductive strain (often linked to EHV-1) can cause pregnant mares to abort, typically in the last trimester. What makes this form tricky is that mares often show little to no warning signs beforehand, which is why routine vaccination and thoughtful herd management are especially important. We recommend vaccinating with Pneumabort-K at 5, 7, and 9 months gestation.
The neurological form—known as Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM)—is the rarest but understandably the most concerning. Horses with EHM may develop uncoordinated movement, hind-end weakness, difficulty standing, or changes in bladder control.
We do have vaccines that help reduce the chance of infection and can lessen the severity of respiratory and reproductive disease, but there is currently no vaccine that protects against the neurological form (EHM). Vaccines are also not a guarantee that your horse will not contract it. Contact your veterinarian to schedule an appointment if you notice any symptoms, or would like to get your horse vaccinated.
In short, the most important things you can do to help your horses is to vaccinate and to keep them home. EHV is always around, the concern for this outbreak is due to the event it began in and the amount of traveling horses involved.
If you have any specific questions, leave them in the comments and we will get Dr. Geary's input! Follow the links below for more in depth information.
https://equinediseasecc.org/equine-herpesvirus?fbclid=IwY2xjawOMNnpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe8rXml8eGoqfCCc5JWQCZ1OjDPR4SK85tYOpFh_MIWDiqX3-o35X-TlcEStg_aem_UM_wxLZCs5jEDt_TcyK-yA&brid=aEHcFS-UVgNICO4cFYCmlA
https://ceh.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/health-topics/equine-herpes-virus-1-myeloencephalopathy