What does anyone know about Equine Herpes Virus (EHV)?

[moonrize]

One of my friends sent her horse off to a trainer. It came back with EHV. She has had many problems with him and is giving him immune system booster shots of some type. He's been quite sick on and off with the whole upper respiratory problem.

My question is how safe is it going to be to ride with her now? Her horse will always be a carrier, but how do I know when it's becoming active and can be transmitted? I have a pregnant mini mare at home that I certainly don't want to take anything back to and I'm a little scared that just him sneezing or coughing on one of my horses would be enough to transmit the disease.

If anyone has any experience with EHV, I would love to know more about it.

[Abejita]

No experience but I would go to www.thehorse.com (http://www.thehorse.com) and read up on it..that way you know you are getting good info

[ErinC]

well dam, I know a horse that had it, and it is in contact with my horse all the time.

I guess its one of those things in life, like riding, driving a car, crossing the ST.
ect ect ect.

depends on how willing you are to take a risk!

[ErinC]

I am not trying to be an A$$ and say its no big deal
trust me.
BUT - this is one horse you KNOW ABOUT.
dont you think there are so many more out there you might be around that NO one told you?

any time we take our horse off the property we put them at risk!

[Centauress]

There are 2 strains - one being more serious than the other. The serious one causes neurological damage to the horse....

Vaccinations are tricky as it's not proven how long the efficacy lasts.

[lspaso]

over here pregnant mares are vaccinated routinely for this - I think at 5,7 and 9 months. Its obviously highly dangerous to pregnant mares so I had my mare vaccinated the first time and everything was fine - I was relieved as that year there was an outbreak.
Second time round did the same but that year there was a 'virus' going around the yard I was on which my mare picked up. Took her ages to recover she then had her second jab and low and behold just with the same timing as if she had got the disease she aborted the foal at 6 months pregnancy. It was the most devastating thing ever.
This year I decided not to vaccinate and everything has been fine - vaccinations are not full proof so obviously be careful but not over the top, seek veterinary advice but remember they are all drama queens (well at least oevr here they are). Also be careful not to make your friend feel isolated if you do decide not to ride out with her, can easily happen. Its a difficult situation all I can say is do some research then go with your gut