Disease Protection at Horse Shows by a Vet – 2025 Safe Showing Guide 🐎🧴

By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc

Introduction

Summer show season is one of the most exciting times for equestrians—but also one of the riskiest when it comes to contagious diseases. From equine influenza and strangles to equine herpesvirus (EHV), close contact at events can turn one sick horse into a stable-wide outbreak. In this 2025 guide, learn practical, vet-approved strategies to keep your horse healthy while competing.

Case Study: The 2012 Herpes Outbreak ⚠️

At a national cutting horse event in Utah, a major outbreak of neurologic EHV-1 led to multiple deaths and quarantines across several states. Although most vaccines protect against the respiratory and abortion forms of EHV, no vaccine fully prevents the neurologic strain. This event highlighted the need for comprehensive biosecurity—not just vaccines alone.

Top Prevention Measures in 2025 ✅

1. Vaccinate Smartly 💉

• Work with your vet to ensure your horse receives core vaccines and optional ones based on show exposure.
• Boosters may be required more frequently if competing regularly—especially for flu and rhino (EHV-1/4).
• Vaccines reduce disease severity—not guaranteed protection—so hygiene is still crucial.

2. Use Personal Gear Only 🎒

• Bring your own buckets, grooming tools, tack, and feed tubs.
• Never share water or feed with other horses unless items are fully disinfected with an approved virucidal agent.

3. Avoid Horse-to-Horse Contact 🚫👃

• Respiratory droplets from nose-to-nose contact are the main route for herpes, strangles, and flu.
• Prevent “socializing” by keeping horses tied at your trailer or in private stalls, and skip petting unfamiliar horses.

4. Human Hand Hygiene 🧼

• Wash or sanitize hands before and after handling other horses or touching shared surfaces.
• Use 62% alcohol-based gels as recommended for rapid disinfection.

Monitoring for Illness 📋

Early detection can stop a single fever from becoming a full-facility outbreak.

• Take rectal temperatures of your show horse twice daily at events and for 14 days after returning.
• Fever >101.5°F (38.6°C) is suspicious—contact your vet immediately.
• Document temperatures in a notebook or use an app to track trends.

Quarantine Protocols at Home 🏡

• Isolate show horses from the main herd for a minimum of two weeks after any show.
• Feed, water, and handle these horses last—ideally with separate tools and gloves.
• Stall or pasture should be at least 30 feet from other horses, or use a different barn area.

Best Practices at Events 🏁

• Use your own trailer—avoid hauling horses from other farms together unless pre-screened.
• Disinfect your trailer before and after the show: under mats, walls, and gates included.
• Park away from crowds, avoid standing water, and bring your own water from home if possible.

Checklist: Show-Day Biosecurity ✅

• 🔹 Pre-vet visit for vaccine update
• 🔹 Fecal test or temp log 3 days pre-show
• 🔹 Own buckets, tack, grooming gear
• 🔹 Disinfect trailer, gear, boots
• 🔹 Nose shield or no-contact rule
• 🔹 Hand sanitizer at trailer and tack box

Post-Show Follow-Up 🏡🕒

• Continue temp checks twice daily for 2 weeks
• Log eating behavior, manure, and behavior
• Watch for sneezing, nasal discharge, or lymph node swelling

FAQs

Q: If my horse is vaccinated, can I skip biosecurity?

A: No. Vaccines help, but they don’t block all infections. Hygiene + monitoring remain vital.

Q: How do I disinfect gear?

A: Use 1:10 diluted bleach or a veterinary disinfectant (e.g. Virkon, Rescue). Rinse and air-dry thoroughly.

Q: Can I isolate at pasture?

A: Yes—if space allows a physical distance of 30+ feet and separate access to water/feed areas.

Conclusion

Competing should never mean compromising your horse’s health. By practicing smart biosecurity, vaccination, gear discipline, and daily monitoring, you reduce the risk of disease spread at horse shows. Keep your horses—and your fellow competitors—safe with this proactive approach in 2025 and beyond.

Need a show-season prevention plan? Contact Ask A Vet via AskAVet.com or our app 📱 for vet-reviewed checklists and personal recommendations from Dr Duncan Houston. 🩺🐎