The Desert International Horse Park in Thermal, Calif., has canceled Weeks V through VIII of the 2022 Desert Circuit and Desert Dressage IV because of the state’s equine herpesvirus (EHV) outbreak.
EHV is relatively common; it often causes fever, mild respiratory disease and nasal discharge in affected horses. However, some horses with EHV develop potentially life-threatening neurologic signs; these horses are affected by Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM).
The California Horse Park has been struggling to contain an EHV outbreak since Feb. 9, during week four of the Desert Circuit. Despite diligent isolation and quarantine efforts, new cases continue to be detected at the Horse Park.
Because of this, the remainder of the winter show series has been canceled. The horses on Park grounds in quarantine and isolation will remain there until active infection is no longer detected.
Testing of suspected and active EHV cases is ongoing.
Up to date information on the EHV outbreak can be found at the California Department of Food and Agriculture website.
Read more at Horse Network.
