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An outbreak of a highly contagious equine virus has affected horse owners and stables, like this one in Hampton. |
In light of the recent outbreak of an equine herpes virus in Virginia, no one at Kelly's Ford Equestrian Center is taking any chances.
The center in Remington will celebrate the opening of a new indoor arena tomorrow with an open house, complete with pony rides and a moon bounce for the kids.
But officials there have ordered a hand-sanitizer sink for the event. And the barns, normally open for tours, are closed to the public.
"A lot of people are starting to panic but our vets are keeping us pretty calm about it," said manager Gretchen Zwerner, adding that other stables are taking similar steps. "It's good that people are taking precautions."
On Wednesday, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced that all horse shows and auctions would be canceled until at least Monday because of the highly contagious and potentially fatal equine rhinopneumonitis virus.
At least five horses have tested positive and several Northern Virginia counties have been quarantined.
The airborne virus poses no known health threat to humans. In horses, it affects the respiratory system and can occasionally cause neurological damage.
The Rappahannock Hunt Point-to-Point races, originally slated for tomorrow, have been postponed until March 31 at Woodley Farm in Berryville. The Rappahannock Hunt Pair Races, which had been scheduled for Sunday in Culpeper, also have been delayed.
Race tracks in Pennsylvania and West Virginia are also not accepting horses from Virginia.
The Virginia Horse Show Association has recommended no shows until at least March 11.
Riding teams at Bayberry Riding Center in Spotsylvania County were looking forward to their last meet of the winter season that day, but it was canceled, said center owner Sue Haggerty.
Still, she said, stable owners have supported the decision by state veterinarian Richard Wilkes to stop shows and auctions.
"They've handled it so well. They got on it right away," she said. "I think it's going to be caught and stopped."
Gail Minter, owner of Dunrovin Miniature Horse Farm in Spotsylvania, said she hopes the problem will be cleared up by the start of spring breeding season.
Until then, her farm isn't accepting any new mares.
"We're kind of closing the doors so to speak," she said. "It's best to be safe."
--The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Edie Gross: 540/374-5428
Email: egross@freelancestar.com
