During the Texas Winter Series at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center (GSEC), which ended Feb. 24, two horses developed fevers of unknown origin. The facility followed its isolation protocol, which requires horses with elevated temperatures to be immediately removed from the premises.
It also reached out to the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences and local veterinarians for additional guidance. After the end of the Series, the facility learned two other horses that showed at the GSEC tested positive for Streptococcus equi, or strangles.
As a precaution, the upcoming GHHJA show March 9-10 was cancelled, and the GSEC will complete a deep clean and sanitize the facility. Every stall and the surrounding areas will be scrubbed, rinsed and disinfected within the guidelines provided by the consulting veterinarians.
In the immediate future, the GSEC will require health certificates for all horses (showing or non-showing), written within seven days of arrival at the GSEC. The health certificate must state for the past 30 days the horse has not been treated or seen for reasons that might be associated with an elevated temperature or exhibited any symptoms associated with Streptococcus equi.
“We appreciate the work Great Southwest Equestrian Center has done to insure the safety of all the horses,” said National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC) Secretary-Treasurer Cheryl Cody. “And, even with our event not scheduled to begin for another month, we are glad to protect our horses by these enhanced measures.”
All horses must be accompanied by the health certificate, along with current Coggins and vaccination records (per USEF GR 845) which must include Equine Influenza Virus and Equine Herpes Virus (Rhinopneumonitis) within six months prior to entering the stables, or they will not be allowed on the grounds. There will be no exceptions. Exhibitors attending the 2019 NRBC must have a printed copy of these records to give to check-in personnel.
