Currently, there is one or more reported cases of Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) occuring in Clackamas County. EHM is an extremely contagious disease that effects a horse's neurological system and often leads to death.
We are asking that volunteers who have contact with horses in another facility not to come to the rescue until the outbreak is over or controlled. We don't want anyone to cross-contaminate--this is for your horses' safety as well as ours. Until this is all over, no horses will be coming or going from the rescue, and we hope that volunteers will remember to sanitize hands, halters, brushes, lead ropes, etc., that come into contact with multiple horses.
Hopefully we're just over-reacting, but it's always good to be extra careful.
Here's what the state veterinarian says about EHM:
"The State Veterinarian is reporting a confirmed case of Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) in Clackamas County. The case is associated with horses that recently attended the national cutting horse show in Ogden, Utah. All horses attending that show in Utah were exposed to EHM. The confirmed Oregon case is not showing any neurological signs at this time. The case was confirmed at UC Davis from a RT-PCR test specific for markers for EHM. All horses at the stable continue under quarantine and are still being monitored for clinical signs of EHM. The State Veterinarian is in contact with owners of the other horses from Oregon that attended the event in Ogden. The horses continue to be monitored for clinical signs of EHM and/or have been tested negative by RT-PCR. Effective immediately, all suspect and confirmed cases of EHM are REPORTABLE to the State Veterinarian. A suspect case would be any horse showing neurological signs without another obvious cause or any horse that was exposed to a case of EHM and spikes a temperature over 101.5. Please notify the State Veterinarian by phone at (503) 986-4680."
In other news, Jim built some awesome new stalls in the main barn. After years as draft horse scratching posts, the stalls were in a sad state. So, now that it's been dry and warm (finally!), Jim locked some of the horses out of the main barn for a few days to build the new stalls. Here's a picture, courtesy of the Hytyme Equine Rescue Facebook Page.
There are several new volunteers to welcome--Matthew is a Portland State Pre-Vet student who is looking to get horse experience. He's spent a couple days walking through the fields and interacting with the horses. Welcome, Matthew! Our other new volunteer is Jordan, who has Hunter/Jumper experience. She's a recent California transplant, and we're excited to have her around!
This weekend brought all the usual suspects to the barn. Becca and Joey were out to work with Buddy and Hope. Buddy was not being terribly polite (he is a little insecure when leaving his herd these days). Katie and Sam were out riding and enjoying the weather and their horses. Kassi was at the barn as well, giving lessons and working with horses. The second TGIF barbecue was held this week, and it was wonderful to get another chance to mingle and eat delicious food! Jim and Sherry, Adrienne, Becca and Joey, Katie, and Kassi and Zach were in attendance for this barbecue. More barbecues to come! Summer is just about here!
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