But on a more serious note, our area once again has a fatal case of EHV1 - the neurological strain of the equine herpes virus.
Our equine community is very tight knit - we all know each other, and this farm is one that is frequently traveled to by not only Kentucky peeps, but those in surrounding states. It hosts multiple mini trials a year, derbies, a recognized event and people school there all the time. Those who are familiar with the area where I live will easily figure out what farm it is by that description.
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| Photo by Paul Wood |
It is so sad because the girl who lost her horse is a much-loved instructor in the area, and like all of us truly loved her mare. It's such a horrible end - to have them go down like that and not be able to get back up.
But my concern today is ... why the shame over this?
Why do people keep incidents like this hush-hush? Is it shame? Fear of losing business?
If you have a case of EHV1 in your barn, that doesn't mean you are a bad owner. Who knows how this horse acquired the virus. The horse was an eventer, and was no doubtly properly vaccinated and spoiled. There's really no telling how she got the virus. It's nobody's fault.
I really feel that people should be open and blunt about situations like this. "Look, we had a case and this is what we are doing. This is what others should do, etc etc."
The farm where I keep Hamp and Royale is, so far, not under quarantine. We are taking temps twice a day however, and being extra cautious. Many horses on our farm have been to the other farm recently. People travel over there to school a lot - they are our neighbors.
It's pretty scary that this is so close to home now. Although, it has been going around for about a year.
The good news is that no other horses are sick at this time. So my plan is to stay alert, and stay home for the time being of course. Nationals isn't until Nov. 11 so that should be plenty of time for things to hopefully settle. But I will be bringing bleach with me to the show. Incubation for EHV1 is about 4-6 days, however it can vary.
More information on the virus can be found HERE.
Mostly I just hope no other horses fall sick.
And thankfully both boys are OK with me sticking a thermometer up their butt.
as far as i can tell, horse people are weirdly hush hush about nearly everything relating to a horse's health and soundness. even things like injections or navicular or whatever are sometimes subject to being kept under wraps. it doesn't even necessarily seem subversive... just that, idk, kinda like "we don't talk about that in public" type attitude. or maybe that's just what i remember from the hunters lol. in any case, that's really sad about the mare, hopefully there aren't any more cases!
ReplyDeleteI don't get the shame either. But people can be quick to jump to conclusions. I am so sorry for that girl to have lost her horse. She must be devastated.
ReplyDeleteI hear you on the weird attitudes surrounding EHV-1. We've had several cases in our area over the last few years, and people get VERY SCARED. The first outbreak I was involved with was at the barn I was working at, and we had one horse (recently arrived new boarder) contract the neurological strain and die. We took every protocol possible and placed the barn under strict quarantine, and not a single other horse got sick. Even so, people were WEIRD about it. Feed and tack store owners didn't want to see anyone from the barn in their shops for fear that we'd spread the disease, and in general the local community gave everyone from the barn an unnecessary wide berth. Another barn had several horses contract EHV-1 last year, and for a while it was all very hush-hush and no one could get accurate information about what was going on, where the outbreak was, etc. for a long time, I think in part because the barn management and horse owners feared being ostracized or blamed for the outbreak. Sounds like you are staying safe and cautious, I hope it doesn't spread in your community!
ReplyDeleteI always feel the same about strangles. People hide it and it creates more problems. Be open and honest so people can protect themselves. These things happen, clarity is what's important!
ReplyDeleteSo awful :(
ReplyDeleteI think the shame is because most people DON'T really understand how EHV works and they hear that a barn has had it and stay far far away... even though the barn probably didn't do anything wrong :(
Same with strangles.
Ugh.
Thanks for crediting Paul for the photo of you and Hamps! Always fun to look thru the pics he takes of you both!
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