Wellington, Fla. – March 14, 2017 – Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP) and Palm Beach Equine Clinic, the official veterinarians of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL, were recently made aware by a competitor’s veterinarian that a horse stabled off the horse show grounds has tested positive for equine influenza.
This horse has been isolated along with other in-contact horses under the supervision of their veterinarian. The horse was appropriately vaccinated and is no longer febrile or showing clinical signs of disease.
This horse tested negative for equine herpes and strangles, and at this time there are noconfirmed cases of equine herpes at WEF. As it has always been the standard practice, ESP and Palm Beach Equine Clinic, along with competitors’ veterinarians, are prepared to isolate and test any further horses with fevers of unknown origin and will update competitors as necessary.
We thank everyone for being responsible in reporting such cases. As competitors are vaccinating this time of year to prepare for travel leaving Wellington, fevers may happen. We remind all competitors the importance of hygiene and biosecurity, with suggested protocols listed below.
If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact your veterinarian or the horse show office at 561-793-5867. Questions may also be directed to Palm Beach Equine Clinic at 561-793-1599.
Further information will be updated as it becomes available.
BIOSECURITY SUGGESTIONS
An integral part of a showing environment includes healthy horses. Exhibitors, especially those traveling long distances, can contribute to that healthy environment by following some basic recommendations listed below.
- A current negative coggins test. Please renew before it expires, and not just before it is necessary to leave the state. It is strongly recommended that all horses be vaccinated for Equine EHV-1 (either modified live or killed vaccine) no sooner than 7 days prior and no later than 90 days prior to entering the show grounds. Most EHV-1 vaccines are only considered effective for 90 days. Check with your veterinarian about which vaccine you use.
- A health certificate within 48 hours is required for all horses shipping onto the property. All horses should be able to produce proof of vaccine, preferably labeled on these health certificates. Those who need health certificates when they arrive can contact Palm Beach Equine Clinic at 561-793-1599 or contact PBEC vets on the show grounds.
- You should be able to document your horse’s normal temperature before arrival. Please do not ship horses with elevated temperatures. It is recommended that you establish a log of temperatures taken at least twice daily. If there is an elevated temperature for more than a 24 hour period, please consult your local Veterinarian immediately.
- Every effort should be made to minimize stress and commingling of horses shipped long distances. Extra hours on a horse van, or moving from stable to stable, is the fastest way to compromise your horses’ and your neighbors’ horses’ health.
- Any horse on the show grounds with a fever of unknown origin or of suspicious origin should be reported to Equestrian Sport Productions Management. It is always better to err on the side of safety. Isolation stalls will either be available on the grounds or at a local veterinary practice if the need arises.
- Please take the time to review equine good hygiene practices and express its importance to your grooms in everyday care.
Please visit www.PBIEC.com or call 561-793-5867 for more information on Palm Beach International Equestrian Center and Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC.
Edited press release courtesy of: Equestrian Sport Productions