Horse Equine Herpesvirus Welfare and Biosecurity

How equine herpesvirus outbreaks affect horse welfare and what biosecurity measures protect horses.

Key Facts

Equine herpesvirus types 1 and 4 are among the most common and welfare-significant equine infectious diseases
EHV-1 can cause neurological disease with fatality rates of 20-30% in affected horses
EHV outbreaks at equestrian competitions have led to widespread horse suffering and economic loss
Biosecurity measures including quarantine, testing, and movement restriction reduce outbreak severity
Vaccines exist for EHV but provide incomplete protection and require careful timing
Stress from competition and transport is a major trigger for EHV reactivation in latently infected horses

Welfare Considerations

EHV outbreaks represent acute welfare events where many horses simultaneously experience neurological disease, respiratory compromise, and in some cases fatal outcomes. The welfare implications extend beyond acutely affected horses to the stress of quarantine and the anxiety of owners facing uncertainty. Prevention through rigorous biosecurity, appropriate vaccination, and stress reduction is the most welfare-positive approach. The competition horse community has learned from major outbreaks that movement restrictions and testing protocols, while economically costly, prevent far greater welfare harm from uncontrolled virus spread.

What You Can Do

Vaccinate horses against EHV-1/4 according to current veterinary guidelines
Implement appropriate biosecurity when introducing new horses to established groups
Follow competition venue biosecurity requirements and report suspected EHV symptoms promptly
Support equine disease surveillance programs that enable early outbreak detection