February 17, 2024 – Wilmington, OHIO – Following the report of a positive EHV-1 case at a local Ohio horse show facility, World Equestrian Center (WEC) extends its thoughts and prayers to the affected horses and their owners, trainers and caregivers.
While no horses have tested positive for EHV – 1 at WEC – Wilmington, horses that have traveled to another competition venue in Ohio and horses who have been exposed to horses that have been at other Ohio competition venues will not be allowed on World Equestrian Center show grounds in Wilmington and Ocala for 14 days.
We are reminded to remain vigilant against the transmission of EHV-1 via enhanced health, safety and biosecurity measures. To that end, we continue to recommend that everyone follow biosecurity protocols.
Implement the following biosecurity best practices with your barn staff:
- Take temperatures of all horses twice daily and maintain a log for each horse.
- Limit nose-to-nose contact between horses.
- Handlers and riders should maintain distances between horses at all times.
- Avoid non-essential people touching horses.
- Practice good hygiene. Handlers should wash hands in-between handling horses and maintain proper biosecurity protocols in the barns and rings.
- Avoid sharing equipment unless it is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between uses.
- Braiders/Vets/Farriers/Equine Therapists must produce a list to the Show Office of client horses with their appropriate stall number.
- Braiders/Vets/Farriers/ Equine Therapists should clean and disinfect their hands, equipment, clothing, and shoes between horses.
The following protocols are required for entrance to either World Equestrian Center facility:
Statement of Health (14 days) – Required for all horses arriving from instate or outside the states of Florida and Ohio. The statement of health must be dated within 14 days of check in, affirming that the horses entering the facility have not had an elevated temperature, been to a facility where there has been a positive or suspected positive case of EHV, been in a close proximity to an ill horse and receive routine vet care and vaccinations. The Statement of Health must be signed by a licensed veterinarian and on the vet’s letterhead.
*Please note, a health certificate will be accepted to meet the health statement requirement, if it is dated within 14 days of check-in.
Trainer/Owner Health Declaration (New for 2024) – Signed by an owner/trainer confirming that the horse has not experienced a fever exceeding 101.5 degrees or any disease in the 72 hours leading up to its arrival. Additionally, the horse must not have been exposed to or treated for an unexplained fever in the past 28 days and should have tested negative for any disease at least 30 days prior to arrival. If the horse has tested positive within the last six months for any infectious diseases, this information should also be disclosed.
Negative Coggins (12 months) – Proof of a current negative Coggins test within 12 months.
Vaccinations (six months) – It is required all horses be vaccinated for Equine-EHV I/IV (either modified live or killed vaccine) as well as, Equine Influenza no sooner than seven days prior to and no later than 180 days (six months) prior to entering the show grounds. Most EHV-1 vaccines are only considered effective for 180 days. Please check with your veterinarian about which vaccine is right for your horse. We strongly recommend vaccinations against WNV, EEE, WEE, Tetanus and Rabies.
Please contact Horse Show Manager TJ Campbell at tj.campbell@wec.net with further questions or concerns.
World Equestrian Center – Wilmington Show Veterinarian:
Hagyard Equine Medical Institute
859.533.2964
Media Contact
Justin Garner
justin.garner@wec.net