What do you know about EHV-4?

[Jessey]

My friends mare contracted EHV-4 in November, she did everything the vet recommended and she's recovered well from the nasty initial infection. But she's now a carrier for life, and although they aren't constant shedders, stress can cause them to begin shedding again.

My concern is the mare isn't the best traveler, and this is my friend who comes over to visit a few times a month to ride with us, does this mean she'll start shedding every time she comes over? what is the risk when hacking together?

I know there is a vaccine available, but I was told it's not very effective, and needs to be given every 6 months. I have emailed my vet for their thoughts, but I suspect I'll just get the offer of the vaccine and not much practical advise.

I really want to keep riding with my friend, but knowingly bringing this into my gang would be terrible, and honestly would probably kill Jess as she already has asthma. I know it's one of those things that is just out there in the horse population, and getting it is just bad luck generally but what can I do to minimise risks?

 

[carthorse]

To be honest I know next to nothing, but I wouldn't risk it and also ifI was your friend I wouldn't want to stress my horse travelling or risk giving it to someone else's horse.

Could you take yours to her? Or if Jess is in work again could you both ride together on yours?

 

[Jessey]

To be honest I know next to nothing, but I wouldn't risk it and also ifI was your friend I wouldn't want to stress my horse travelling or risk giving it to someone else's horse.

Could you take yours to her? Or if Jess is in work again could you both ride together on yours?

I know she would feel terrible if it were passed on. I've been reading up, and some vet papers suggest up to 80% of the horse population have already had it by the time they are 2yo, and it's constantly going around and most owners never know about it as often after the first time they don't show symptoms anymore. I was basing my assumption about how badly it would effect Jess on how poorly her fit young mare was, but that seems rare in anything over 5yo.

I wouldn't like to take mine there, being on their yard where her mare has likely touched everything possible (it lives on surfaces for up to 30 days in good conditions), also they come here because they only have road hacking around her. When they come to me they don't come into the field, simply park in the driveway and tack up there so not a huge chance of cross contamination other than snot on the air.

Jess is coping with occasional walks out but I won't ask more than that of her now, she's 22 this spring and I am happy to her to stay 99% retired and only do little bits when she feels up to it.

 

[carthorse]

I didn't realise she was that old now! Where does the time go?

I suppose the other thing you could do if it worries you is have yours tested to see if they have already had it, it's all well and good research saying around 80% have but that's no consolation if yours are among the 20% or so that haven't.