The show horses have returned to Westerner Park in Red Deer as promoters regain confidence following an equine health scare this spring.
The Spring Horse Show and Quarter Horse Show were both cancelled after news that a rare and debilitating form of a common virus had struck at a cutting horse show in Ogden, Utah, and was then detected in a handful of horses in Alberta.
Westerner Park CEO and general manager John Harms said the two shows could not be rebooked for later this year because Westerner Park’s facilities were already fully booked for other events. He confirmed that the cancellations were a significant financial blow, but declined to provide the amount.
Neurotropic equine herpes virus (nEHV-1) is a rare form of a common virus, spread from horse to horse but not dangerous to people, provincial veterinarian Gerald Hauer said earlier.
While he could see no need for panic, Hauer urges horse handlers to use appropriate steps to stop the transfer of disease, including not sharing water, tack and tools.
The neurotropic form of the virus attacks the horse’s neurological system, causing death in the worst cases.
In its latest report, published earlier this week, Moore Equine Veterinary Clinic states that no new cases of nEHV-1 have been reported in the Western provinces since the June 3 conference call.
Moore Equine has been posting updates based on conference calls between veterinarians and officials in the three Western provinces, including representatives of the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association and the office of the provincial veterinarian.
As of Wednesday, the infections are still limited to horses that have taken part in cutting competitions, says the Moore Equine post.
The first Alberta horse found with the neurotropic form, discovered early in May, has now fully recovered and remains under quarantine, it says. Another horse that had shown neurological signs, a cutting horse that had been competing in Lloydminster, remains on the suspect list.
The only horse to have been put down so far was already suffering from previous and significant medical conditions. Test results from that horse have not yet been made available. A Central Alberta horse that showed neurological signs along with a mild fever has tested negative and been removed from the list of suspects. While horses can be vaccinated against the common form of the virus, there is no vaccine against the neurotropic form, said Marnie Hamilton, manager of the Reining Alberta show taking place at Westerner Park’s Agricentre this weekend.
A number of people panicked, largely because the extent of the situation had been “overblown” on social media, including Facebook, said Hamilton.
Everyone is taking the necessary measures at Westerner Park.
The number of competitors at this year’s show is about the same as last year, although economic stresses have been a factor, she said.
bkossowan@www.reddeeradvocate.com