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What is EHV-1?
EHV-1 (Equine Herpesvirus-1) is a virus that equines (horses, donkeys, and mules) can contract. The virus has two forms, respiratory and neurological. The respiratory form of the virus represents most cases, while the neurological form of the virus is less common. The virus can also cause the abortion of foals in pregnant mares. Unfortunately, a recent outbreak of the neurological form of the virus occurred in Texas at the beginning of November 2025, and eight other states are reporting positive PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) tests, which are used to diagnosis the disease. While this virus is highly contagious for equines, humans and pets, like dogs and cats, cannot contract the disease.
Prevention – Vaccination and Disinfection:
There are several EHV-1 vaccines available, many of which can be purchased through Revival Animal Health. Vaccination is the first line of defense, and we strongly encourage horse owners to discuss their horse(s) vaccination status with their veterinarians and make the necessary arrangements if their horse(s) are lacking an EHV-1 vaccination. It is important to note that the EHV-1 vaccines provide protection against the respiratory form of the virus, often called rhinopneumonitis. The respiratory form of the virus is the most common and unfortunately spreads easily through barns and show grounds.
Even though humans and pets cannot contract the virus, biosecurity and proper disinfecting of tools, clothes, boots, stalls, barns, and trailers are essential to stemming the spread of both the respiratory and neurological forms of the virus. Yes, even boots need to be disinfected! Shop gloves and boot covers. Do not share tack, even within your own barn, amongst friends, and familiar horses. If you are traveling or showing your horse(s), packing your own water buckets, hay, and shavings can help reduce the risk of not only EHV-1, but the spread of other diseases. Remember that other horses have most likely been using the temporary stalls and pens at show grounds before you and your horse(s) arrive. Pack disinfecting wipes and sprays so that you can safely clean where your horse will be stabled. Don’t forget to disinfect when you return home too. Revival Animal Health sells a variety of disinfectants, gloves, boot covers, and aprons that can assist you with sanitizing tools, stalls, and trailers.
Do your best to limit your horse(s) ability to touch noses and interact with strange horses. Keep in mind that while humans cannot contract EHV-1, they can transmit it through contaminated clothes and boots. If you handle strange tack, equipment, or horses while at a show, wash your hands thoroughly and try to change your clothes before handling your supplies and horse(s). Avoid communal water troughs and buckets and plan to bring a water bucket with you to the show ring or pen.
Horse(s) that are new and horse(s) that have recently traveled off the property should be quarantined. Due to the highly contagious nature of EHV-1, the best prevention for the spread of the virus is strictly controlling the movement and exposure of horses to each other. Horse(s) that are traveling through the outbreak zone should have a health certificate or veterinary exam showing they are negative for the virus before coming onto your property. Even with the necessary paperwork, it is still good practice to quarantine the horse(s) for 14-21 days, just to ensure its health and limit the risk to other horses already on the property.
Stress
Stress can weaken your horse(s) immune system and make them more susceptible to viruses. Proper feeding, hydration, and fitness are essential to horse health, and limiting the change in established routines can help limit the amount of stress horses are under. It is important to ensure your horse(s) is properly conditioned for the work it is being asked to perform. This is especially important for horse(s) that are competing, as multiple classes are usually held on consecutive days.
For horses in the Midwest and Northeast, high quality pasture is limited this time of year, meaning key nutrients like vitamin E, can be low or missing from the diet. If you plan on introducing supplements, like Health-E, keep in mind that they take some time to build up in the horse’s system. The general rule of thumb is to consistently feed a supplement according to the instructions for at least 2 months before assessing what impact it is having.
If you are traveling and/or competing with your horse(s), discuss electrolyte and gastric support with your veterinarian. Trailers are small, confined spaces where heat builds up quickly. Show grounds are loud, full of unfamiliar people, horses, and equipment, and usually require horse(s) to be stabled for long periods of time. For long trips, veterinarians can provide electrolytes tubed into your horse, and for more local travel, products like Equi-Rehydrate are convenient and easy to feed electrolyte support. Starting your horse(s) on dual, gastric and digestive support products like Assure® Guard Gold and Succeed available in both granules and paste before you travel and show can help support their fore and hindguts. Providing Ulcergard the day of traveling and while away from home can prevent ulcers and keep your horse(s) more comfortable.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of EHV-1 are fever, nasal discharge, dry cough, and lethargy. Horses that have contracted the neurological form of the virus can exhibit symptoms common with the respiratory form and experience inflammation of the blood vessels in the spinal cord and brain. This in turn can cause unsteadiness, especially in the hind legs, the horse(s) may sit like a dog due to the challenges with movement, and have difficulty urinating. It is imperative that the horse(s) veterinarian is contacted at the first sign of symptoms, so that a PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test can be performed and proper treatment administered.
Treatment:
Though the current outbreak of the neurological form of the virus is concerning, most neurological cases of EHV-1 are not deadly. About 60-70% of infected horses recover, but prompt diagnosis and proper treatment are essential. Infected horse(s) should be isolated, and great care should be taken regarding disinfecting and washing any equipment and clothes they encounter. Antivirals are used to treat the disease, and the attending veterinarian will most likely prescribe NSAIDs, like Banamine, to help reduce the fever, pain, and inflammation the infected horse(s) are experiencing. Daily temperature checks will be required to help determine how the horse(s) are progressing. The ProID® ISO Microchip + Temp is a microchip that provides accurate temperature readings for your horse. Today, most competition horses must be microchipped in order to compete, and even for horses that don’t compete, having the ability to review owner and other necessary information with a simple scan is vitally important. The Hero™ Universal Microchip + Temp Scanner reads both the information on the microchip and the horse’s temperature. Bundle and save when buying both the microchips and scanner together. Revival Animal Health not only has all the supplies you need, but a full-service pharmacy that can provide the products your veterinarian is prescribing.
In Conclusion:
The EHV-1 outbreak is concerning, but with proper vaccination, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, horses can be protected. Revival Animal Health is your one stop shop for the necessary supplies and medications you and your veterinarian will need. Together, we can help support horses, and the owners and professionals working tirelessly to control this outbreak.
Visit Revival Animal Health’s EHV-1 Protection & Biosecurity page
If you need help or have more questions, call us at 800.786.4751.