This article originally appeared in the Summer 2025 issue of EquiManagement. Sign up herefor a FREE subscription to EquiManagement’s quarterly digital or print magazine and any special issues.In addition to taking horses’ temperatures twice daily at horse shows, owners must be committed to actually report any fever above 101.5 F to show management and the competition veterinarian. | Bianca McCarty
The bad news: Equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) is everywhere, and disease incidents are reported with relative frequency. The possibility of an outbreak is a scary thought, especially with the 2021 Valencia and 2022 California outbreaks still in recent memory. But the good news? EHV-1 is everywhere, and most horses aren’t getting sick, even after going to horse shows.
Katie Flynn, BVMS, Equine Health and Biosecurity Veterinarian for the United States Equestrian Federation, reminds us: “EHV is in the environment, at their home barn, at shows, and it’s latent in each horse. Herpes is for life.”
GET FREE UNLIMITED ACCESS
Register today and get FREE unlimited access to all content from EquiManagement!
Get the best from EquiManagement delivered straight to your inbox once a week! Topics include horse care, disease alerts, and vet practitioner updates.
