A recent cluster of Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 (EHV-1) cases linked to a major barrel racing event in Waco has Texas veterinarians urging owners to move quickly and stay watchful. The virus itself is nothing new in the horse world, but a rare neurologic form of it is turning this situation into something that demands fast decision-making.
Dr. Britt Conklin, a clinical programs leader at the Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine, has been at the forefront of explaining why this strain is different. Most horses carry herpesviruses throughout their lives. What’s unusual now is that the neurological variant can worsen in a matter of hours, making it more dangerous and harder to contain. According to Conklin, the goal isn’t to spark panic, but to encourage owners to stay attentive, gather good information, and act early when something feels off.
The concern grew after the World Championship Barrel Racing Finals in Waco, held November 5–9, where exposures first appeared. A related case soon popped up in Oklahoma, triggering the cancellation of a major futurity event there. Several Texas rodeos and qualifiers have also temporarily closed or postponed activities while teams assess risks.
This moment has drawn comparisons to the 2011 EHV-1 outbreak that began at a large equine event in Utah. That incident ultimately exposed or affected nearly 2,000 horses across ten states once animals returned home from competition. The pattern is similar now: horses traveled before becoming sick, and the wide geographic movement increases the chance of further spread.
Texas has one of the largest equine industries in the country, supporting billions of dollars in economic activity through breeding, training, veterinary care, and competition. When events pause, it doesn’t just slow down the show circuit — it disrupts income for riders, facility operators, and the many small businesses that support them. The neurological strain of EHV-1 also puts more pressure on competitors who travel frequently, forcing them to judge quickly whether a horse is dealing with an ordinary fever or something that could escalate.
One of the simplest and most reliable early-warning tools is temperature monitoring. Because so many horses naturally carry herpesviruses, widespread testing alone can create confusion. That’s why veterinarians recommend checking temperatures twice a day for at least two weeks after a horse attends a big event or travels. Vaccines remain useful but cannot guarantee prevention of this particular strain, so owners still need to pay attention to behavior changes. Early signs may include fever, nasal discharge, lethargy, swelling in the limbs, or even mild unsteadiness. When neurological symptoms are recognized quickly, antiviral medications can make a dramatic difference in the outcome.
Texas has strong testing capacity, and many labs can turn around results in under a day. Private veterinarians across the state have also been fielding more calls — not necessarily from sick horses, but from owners who want to take preventive steps. That proactive approach is exactly what veterinarians hope to see.
Some Texas arenas have already limited outside horses as a short-term precaution, and major events in neighboring states have tightened entry requirements. Even owners who weren’t at the Waco event are being encouraged to stay alert, because once horses start moving, distance offers little protection.
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