Austin, Texas—Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) issued an alert yesterday, November, 19, 2025, to Texas horse owners about an outbreak of equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) reported by Texas veterinarians after the recent World Championship Barrel Racing (WPRA) Finals in the Waco area from November 5-9. Miller and the TDA are urging all horse owners, trainers and venue operators who attended or were in proximity to the event, or who have recently returned from any large equine gathering in the Waco region in the last 14 days to act swiftly, monitor their animals carefully and implement heightened biosecurity measures.

“This virus can spread fast, it can be deadly, and the earliest signs are often so subtle they’re easy to miss,” Miller said. “That’s why monitoring your horses right now is critical. The quicker we identify a potential case, the better chance we have to protect not only our animals, but the entire Texas equine community.”

Horses present at the WPRA event in the Waco area are most at risk, but because EHV-1 is so contagious and can cause neurological problems, many hunter, jumper and equitation events in Texas have been canceled or postponed during ongoing investigations. ©Alana Harrison

A particularly aggressive strain of EHV-1 has been confirmed by veterinary clinics in Central Texas. While investigations are ongoing, the TDA believes the situation warrants immediate attention, given the rapid spread and severe outcomes in affected horses.

While horses present at the WPRA event in the Waco area and others who may have interacted with those horses are most at risk, all hunter, jumper and equitation events at Texas Rose Horse Park in Tyler, Texas, have been suspended until December 2, 2025. At least one upcoming show at Great Southwest Equestrian Center (GSWEC) in Katy, Texas, has been canceled, and strict new health requirements have also been implemented. At this time, there have been no reported cases of EHV-1 from recent hunter/jumper competitions at GSWEC.

Clinical Signs of EHV-1

Symptoms can vary widely and may include:

  • Fever
  • Nasal discharge, coughing or other respiratory changes
  • Depression or lethargy
  • Neurological signs: stumbling or incoordination, loss of tail tone, hind-limb weakness, head tilt recumbency
  • Abortions in pregnant mares

The EHV-1 virus spreads quickly and efficiently, making early precautions essential. Horses can transmit the virus directly through simple nose-to-nose contact, and infected animals may also release contagious aerosolized particles when they cough or sneeze. Indirect transmission is equally dangerous; shared tack, grooming tools, water and feed buckets, thermometers and other equipment can carry the virus from one horse to another. Even humans can unintentionally act as mechanical carriers, spreading the virus on their hands, clothing or boots.

Protect Your Horses and Others

To protect your horses and the broader Texas equine community, the TDA recommends the following:

  • Isolate any horse that attended the Waco event for at least 14 days from other equines or until cleared by a veterinarian.
  • Suspend hauling, showing or mixing horses from the exposure group until further notice. Avoid taking exposed horses to other barns or events. 
  • Disinfect trailers, wash-racks, cross-ties, tie-areas, tack rooms, buckets, grooming tools and any shared equipment. Use an appropriate virucidal disinfectant.
  • Avoid sharing tack, halters, grooming equipment, buckets, water hoses, etc., between exposed and unexposed horses.
  • Monitor temperatures twice daily for all exposed horses and report any fever (≥101.5 °F) or other signs to a veterinarian immediately.
  • If any horse exhibits neurologic signs, coughing or nasal discharge, isolate it immediately, wear protective gear and call your veterinarian.
  • Keep accurate records: Track which horses were present at events, their movement and who handled them for contact tracing if needed.
  • Stay in contact with your local veterinarian for updates from state veterinary authorities.

“Check your horses twice a day, isolate any exposed animals, tighten up your biosecurity and call your vet the moment something looks off,” Miller said. “If we work together and take this seriously, we can get ahead of this outbreak and keep our horses and our state’s $12.3 billion equine industry safe.”