IMPORTANT EHV-1 Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) VIRUS INFORMATION

Dear AYRA & SFLBRA members,

In light of the recent concerns surrounding the EHV-1 Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) or Neurological EHV-1 outbreak, we want to provide you with a clear and thoughtful update regarding our upcoming December 13–14 rodeos. After careful consideration, extensive communication with state and local veterinary professionals, and guidance from the NLBRA, we have made the decision to move forward with the December rodeo weekend.

Please know this decision was not made lightly.

Over the past several days, we have worked diligently to gather accurate and up-to-date information. We contacted the NLBRA office seeking clarification on protocols related to EHV-1 and their event cancellation policies. Their guidance to us was as follows: The Board recommends caution and consideration, encourages checking with state and local veterinarians, and will support any decision to postpone if organizers feel it is necessary. They simply request notification via email of any cancellations.

Following this, we emailed Dr. Mike Short, the Florida State Veterinarian. The next day, we were contacted by his colleague, Dr. Fisch, who informed us that Dr. Short was out of town but offered to provide clarification in the interim. Dr. Fisch kindly walked us through the correct incubation and quarantine timelines and addressed conflicting information we had previously received.

According to Dr. Fisch:

• We are 34 days out from the Waco event,
• 27 days out from the Southeast Circuit Finals, and
• 24 days out from Guthrie.

Each of these is well beyond the generally recommended 21-day incubation and quarantine window for EHV-1.

To ensure thoroughness, we also consulted with local veterinarians. While they emphasized that no equine event is ever without risk, they confirmed that—with our scheduled dates falling outside the incubation period—the current risk remains low unless a new case is reported in Florida.

Therefore, based on all available information, we plan to move forward with the December rodeos.  However, if a new EHV-1 case is reported within the state, we will cancel the event.

As we prepare for the weekend, we kindly ask that all families be ready to follow standard biosecurity precautions. These measures not only help reduce risk but are beneficial practices for our equine partners year-round. We will be sending out a short list of recommended biosecurity steps for everyone to follow.

For those who would like additional resources, we are providing the following links:

• Equine Biosecurity Toolkit:
  https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/Animal_Health/pdfs/Biosecurity_Toolkit_Full_Version.pdf (https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/Animal_Health/pdfs/Biosecurity_Toolkit_Full_Version.pdf)
• https://ccmedia.fdacs.gov/content/download/96448/file/BasicEquineBiosecurityEHVEnglish_Spanish20210303FINAL%28003%29.pdf (https://ccmedia.fdacs.gov/content/download/96448/file/BasicEquineBiosecurityEHVEnglish_Spanish20210303FINAL%28003%29.pdf)

• Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services – Reportable Equine Disease Map (updated daily):
  https://www.fdacs.gov/Consumer-Resources/Animals/Animal-Diseases/Florida-s-Reportable-Equine-Disease-Map/Contagious-Equine-Metritis-CEM-Quarantine-FAQ (https://www.fdacs.gov/Consumer-Resources/Animals/Animal-Diseases/Florida-s-Reportable-Equine-Disease-Map/Contagious-Equine-Metritis-CEM-Quarantine-FAQ)
• UF Large Animal Hospital https://largeanimal.vethospitals.ufl.edu/2025/11/20/equine-herpesviruses/

Please know that we deeply respect and support the decisions of all families. Your horse’s health and your comfort level come first, always.

As we move forward, we will continue to monitor the situation 

daily and will communicate any changes immediately. If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Warm regards,

Levi Pearce 

AYRA President