EHV-1 Virus Outbreak Leads to Health Certification Protocol

In response to the recent EHV-1 virus outbreak in Florida, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has approved the implementation of precautionary health restrictions for entry into show grounds holding USEF-licensed competitions in the State of Florida. This is a temporary measure and it is anticipated this will not be necessary once the virus outbreak is under control.

These protocols have been implemented at the shows locally where the EHV-1 outbreak has been the most concentrated. The USEF is not suggesting that all show grounds in Florida (other than the locally affected ones) would need to implement any of these restrictions. Instead, the organization suggests that all other organizers have this document as an informational basis only.

The USEF, the Florida Department of Agriculture, Stadium Jumping, Inc. and Littlewood Farms, have cooperated to create this health certification form which will accompany every horse upon its initial arrival at a USEF licensed competition show grounds in Florida.  It must be stamped and signed by a licensed veterinarian. This certification is in addition to the Official Interstate Health Certificate required to enter the State of Florida, it does not substitute for the Interstate Health Certificate.

Click the link below to view and print the form called “EHV-1 Sample Protocol” http://www.usef.org/documents/competitions/2007/EHV.pdf

The form can also be accessed on the USEF website www.usef.org, by going to the home page and clicking on the red area at the top “Florida EHV-1 Press Releases and Updates.”  The form is the first item in that area.

Neither the USEF nor competition organizers can make any guarantees that any horse will not be exposed to the EHV-1 virus.  It is the decision and responsibility of every owner, exhibitor and trainer as to whether they wish to assume the risk of competing his/her horse in Florida at this time in light of the recent outbreak.