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| Equine Herpesvirus Outbreak |
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| Hi,
We're sending an extra newsletter this month due to the EHV-1 outbreak because it effects how Soft Ride is handling returns.
Several cases of Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 (EHV-1) have been confirmed in horses that attended the WPRA World Championship Barrel Racing Finals in Waco, Texas (Nov 5–9, 2025). According to the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC), confirmed EHM cases have been reported in Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. Affected horses are being isolated and several veterinary hospitals are caring for neurologic cases. Owners, trainers, farriers, transporters, and veterinarians are working together—monitoring temperatures, tightening biosecurity, limiting movement, and reporting suspect cases to state animal health officials—to slow spread and protect vulnerable animals.
Please note: due to the outbreak Soft Ride will be quarantining all returns for 14 days before unpacking them. Soft Ride will only accept clean, unused returns and will need time to put returns through a disinfection protocol. This may affect your refund timeline. Thank you for your patience as we do our part to help prevent the spread of EHV-1/EHM.
Soft Ride created this newsletter to help you quickly understand the disease, recognize early signs, and take clear, practical steps to reduce risk and improve outcomes. We are not a veterinary practice, and we recommend consulting your veterinarian if you suspect exposure. This newsletter compiles information from the American Association of Veterinary Practitioners we work with and is not intended to serve as veterinary medical advice.
The Soft Ride Team https://www.softrideboots.com |
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| | EHV-1 is a DNA herpesvirus that commonly infects horses worldwide and most often causes a respiratory illness (fever, nasal discharge, cough) or, in pregnant mares, abortion. In a minority of infections, the virus invades the central nervous system and produces neurologic signs — this form is called EHM.
EHM (Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy) is a neurological disease in horses caused by the Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1). EHM results from viral damage and inflammation in the spinal cord and brainstem, which can lead to ataxia (incoordination), hind-end weakness, loss of tail tone, urinary/fecal incontinence, and in severe cases, recumbency and death. Importantly, many horses can carry or shed EHV-1 without obvious signs, which is why outbreaks can spread quickly in groups. Diagnosis is made by your veterinarian using PCR testing of nasal swabs and blood, along with careful clinical assessment; early recognition and strict isolation reduce risk to other horses. |
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| | | EHV-1 spreads primarily horse-to-horse by direct contact with respiratory secretions (sneezing, nasal discharge) and indirectly via contaminated people, equipment, tack, stalls, trailers, and surfaces. Short-range airborne spread in crowded environments is also possible when infected horses are actively shedding. Stressors—transportation, competition, mixing unfamiliar horses, and recent illness—can increase shedding and susceptibility, making events and shows common starting points for outbreaks. Because horses may shed virus before they look sick (or never show signs), a single infected horse can seed disease in multiple locations when moved. Therefore, controlling movement and rigorous hygiene are central to preventing transmission. |
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| Signs of EHV-1/EHM & How to Identify |
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| Fever (101.5°F or higher - often the earliest sign) Nasal discharge and cough Depression, decreased appetite, lethargy Incoordination / stumbling (ataxia) Hind-limb weakness or knuckling over Loss of tail tone Difficulty urinating or defecating / bowel/bladder dysfunction Recumbency (unable to rise) Abortions in pregnant mares
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| How to identify these signs: Think of EHV-1 as starting like a routine respiratory infection for many horses: the first clue is usually a fever—so twice-daily temperature checks are the simplest, most important surveillance. Any fever in an exposed horse warrants immediate veterinary consultation. Watch for a change in attitude, decreased appetite, or a runny nose and cough. Neurologic signs may be subtle at first: a horse that seems “wobbly,” drags a toe, or lands awkwardly with a hind foot could be developing EHM. Loss of tail tone or difficulty with normal elimination are more specific neurologic red flags and warrant immediate veterinary evaluation. Because signs can progress quickly, any fever in a horse that attended an event or had recent contact with other horses should prompt isolation and a call to the veterinarian for testing. |
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| Common Treatment Plan for EHV-1/ EHM |
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| Isolation and strict supportive care.
Isolate affected horses to prevent spread. Supportive care (fluids, soft bedding, comfortable footing, assistance turning and standing) helps maintain welfare while the immune system fights the virus.
Anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs / corticosteroids used selectively).
NSAIDs (e.g., flunixin) reduce fever and inflammation and improve comfort. Corticosteroids are controversial in EHM because they may help spinal inflammation but can suppress immunity; their use is case-by-case under veterinary supervision.
Antiviral therapy (in selected cases).
Antivirals (e.g., valacyclovir) may be considered for severe or neurologic cases; evidence is limited and these drugs are most effective when started early and dosed appropriately under a veterinarian’s guidance.
Antibiotics for secondary bacterial infections.
If bacterial pneumonia or secondary infections occur, targeted antibiotics are used—antivirals do not treat bacteria, so this treatment should only be used when confirmed or strongly suspected bacterial complications are identified by your veterinarian.
Supportive nursing and rehabilitation.
Neurologic horses often need intensive nursing: frequent turning, assistance to stand, padded stalls, and careful hoof/farrier management to prevent complications from recumbency or uneven weight bearing.
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| Recommended Biosecurity Actions for Prevention |
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| Isolate exposed horses for a minimum of 14 days. Take temperatures twice daily and record them. Do not share equipment (halters, buckets, tack, grooming tools). Disinfect surfaces—stalls, gates, trailers, doorknobs, and anything horses contact regularly. Limit movement of horses on/off the property. Wash hands when moving between horses.
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| Preventing EHV-1 hinges on early detection and strict biosecurity: check and record temperatures twice daily, isolate any horse with fever or exposure, and avoid moving exposed horses off the premises. Limit mixing of horses from different barns, disinfect tack/equipment and high-touch surfaces, and establish “clean” and “dirty” zones with dedicated clothing and hand hygiene for caregivers. Finally, report suspect cases to state animal health officials and coordinate testing and movement restrictions to protect the broader equine community. |
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| We LOVE hearing from our customers and getting updates on how your horses are doing! Please send us your story and a photo of your horse in their Soft Ride products for a chance to be featured on our social media, in an upcoming issue of our newsletter, and to be entered in a Soft Ride giveaway!
Email us here: socialmedia@srboots.com Tag us on Facebook: Soft Ride Equine Comfort Boots Instagram: @soft.ride |
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| As we continue our drive to keep your horse on his feet, we've received more than 15 patents, ship to over 50 countries, and work with more than 6,000 veterinarians around the world, as well as every veterinarian school in the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia. And with horse owners from every discipline using our products, we can safely and proudly say, "The best in the world rely on Soft Ride." |
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