At 20:37:39 on 19.05.11, Cowboy wrote:
I hope a lot of people have heard about the outbreak of the EHV-1, or Equine Herpes Virus. It i guess started in Utah at a reining show, and is being spread now to other states. Canada, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, California, and Arizona so far. I'm worried about it because they say it's airborne, and there is no cure. It targets the nervous system, and the horse will eventually die, or have to be put down. I just want to help get the word out. They say that even just trailering them, with the stress of some horses, it could make them get it. So, i hope everyone makes some wise decisions. Vaccinations are also said to help in preventing, though there's no gaurantee. How does everyone else feel about this??! Below is a picture of a horse that had, or has, EHV-1, and whose nervous system is already to the point where it can't stand on it's own.

At 20:39:12 on 19.05.11, EmandBlueX wrote:
OMG that is horrible , i wouldnt know what do do! poor poor horse , thank you Cowboy! x

At 20:53:17 on 19.05.11, NoraPieterse wrote:
One of my horses had to be put down on new year's eve 2010 because half her body became paralised and she fell over and couldn't get up. There wasn't enough time for a blood test but the vet said it was either equine herpes or ataxia: the loss of the ability to coordinate muscular movement. Just to warn you all: these conditions are very serious and it is so so horrible seeing your own horse in such a state. Thanks Cowboy for letting us know. I'm from the UK so this won't affect me. XX

At 02:06:08 on 23.05.11, JessAndGrenville123 wrote:
Thats odd, human herpes virus is caught from contact only, i am going to look this up, i am really interested, poor horses i think if grenville was in a state where he couldn't stand on his own i couldn't let him carry on - it would drive him mad

At 19:01:51 on 23.05.11, Handy wrote:
Yes I live in Idaho and hope our horses do not contract it !!! How can this be called Herpes in a horse and not show symptoms like other Herpes virus's? Somebody know how this work's ???

At 20:28:12 on 23.05.11, Cowboy wrote:
They say there are other types of this virus. Eight in horses, five in humans. This one that is the outbreak, happens to be the only one that has anything to do with the nervous system. others are more toward the respiratory system. Like in humans, shingles is also a type of herpes virus. they call them all as a whole the zoster strain. And because it's in horses, the symptoms will differ at least a little. I don't think anyone really knows much about this particular virus(the neurological one) so they're probably not sure why the symptoms are what they are, and why it attacks like it does.

At 21:38:02 on 23.05.11, NoraPieterse wrote:
Cowboy is right. there are five well known different types of herpes in horses, the first causes abortion, respiratory disease and occasionally death this can be caught through direct and indirect contact. this one also targets the nervous system. the second has an uncertain role in respiratory disease. the third causes a disease known as equine coital exanthema. The disease is spread through direct and sexual contact and possibly through flies. the fourth is the most important viral cause of respiratory infection in foals and death can occur in environments with overcrowding and other stress factors. the fifth is similar to the second, but there is less known about it. there are said to be 3 or so more but they are aparently quite rare. You may not recognize the name herpes virus as it was commonly called rhino in the past. Vaccinations aren't approved by every source, and some say that it is not advisable to vaccinate older horses as they may carry herpes already and the vaccine could encourage the herpes to react. However, some say that, although vaccination with these products will not prevent the nervous system form of the first type of herpes, it may prevent shedding of the virus and help protect other horses. What a serious, scary thing herpes is! :/ hope all your horses are ok in the US XX

At 09:22:41 on 24.05.11, Flicka wrote:
Ugh, I'd be really worried if I was in the US or Canada. My thoughts are with any horses owners in affected countries.

At 08:28:22 on 29.05.11, Flicka wrote:
This outbreak has led to lots of events being canceled. However these rodeo queen contestants were determined that the show should still go on with a novel idea-brilliant!
http://tinyurl.com/3lxqbaf