OCALA, Fla.--There has been an outbreak of equine herpesvirus in Europe, and the virus has now also been found in at least one horse in Ocala, although not yet at either HITS or the World Equestrian Center horse showing venues, so HITS, WEC and shows in Wellington have all put safety restrictions in place.
World Equestrian Center The FEI announced March 1 that competition has been cancelled until March 28 in 10 European countries including France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Italy, Austria, Poland, the Netherlands, Germany and Slovakia due to the outbreak of the equine herpesvirus.
As the virus has now been identified in Ocala and out of an abundance of caution, World Equestrian Center – Ocala management has issued increased biosecurity measures and the following to keep showing horses safe:
Effective immediately, World Equestrian Center – Ocala will no longer permit ship in horses to the property.
No new entries travelling from other events in Florida will be accepted including from the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) , HITS, Venice or the Ridge.
All World Equestrian Center - Ocala stabling areas will be strictly limited to essential personnel – riders, trainers, grooms, vets and farriers.
TOM STRUZZIERI announced that at this point they have a safe bio-friendly facility at Post Time Farm.
"While there have been reports of sick horses nearby here in Ocala, we have been fortunate enough to have avoided this EHV calamity as of this date," said Struzzieri. "We are actively monitoring the arrival of horses from certain properties and limiting their entering the show grounds. We have a very strong memory of 2013 when Post Time was the facility that proved to be the lightning rod for a run of this very serious virus and believe that we have learned a great deal, as horsemen, from that experience and hope that this prior education helps us as we go forward."
For now, follow the USEF Protocol:
Review and ensure you are prepared for quick implementation of an isolation plan at a competition grounds and/or at your home farm or facility
Check your horse's temperature twice daily and maintain a temperature log
Isolate horses at first signs of symptoms or illness and contact your vet immediately
WELLINGTON--In light of new information that Equestrian Sport Productions receivedMarch 3 regarding a positive Equine Herpes Virus-1 case in the Ocala area, management is taking active measures to protect horses at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center and Equestrian Village during the Winter Equestrian Festival and the Global Dressage Festival.
There are currently no reported cases of EHV-1 in Wellington.
The following announcements regarding biosecurity protocols and requirements are as follows:
1. Due to this development, ESP will not be accepting entries from horses that have not previously shown this year at WEF and AGDF starting immediately on Wednesday, March 3, until further notice.
2. Although no known positive cases of horses have been identified in Wellington, ESP is attempting to control transmission of the EHV-1 virus by restricting access to the PBIEC and Equestrian Village showgrounds of horses from outside the immediate vicinity of Wellington.
Following veterinary advice, anyone shipping horses into the PBIEC and Equestrian Village facilities will be required to sign a declaration stating that the horses entering the facility have not competed at other Florida venues or been in close contact with horses that competed in other Florida venues within ten (10) days prior to their arrival.
3. Starting Monday, March 8, any horses shipping onto the property (both WEF and AGDF grounds) will require a health certificate or statement on official licensed veterinarian letterhead and must be dated by Veterinarian within seven (7) days of arriving (see number 6 below).
4. ESP will require all barns on PBIEC and Equestrian Village show grounds to maintain a temperature log with twice-daily temperatures recorded and recommend posting on each horse’s stall door. Random checks by approved veterinary staff may be implemented.
