EHV-1 Protocol (3/15/13) REVISED for the remainder of 2013

OK folks, here is the latest update from Florida and the HITS showgrounds.

Those of you who have contacted your vet(s) already to discuss your spring shots, thank you. Please read through the linked article above and be sure to understand the following:

That protocol includes:

Required upon entry to [HITS show facilities] all horses must have certification for:

1)     Negative Coggins - Veterinary documentation dated within three months (90 days) of the start of the circuit. This includes horses that originate from the state where the event is being held.

2)     Health Certificate - Issued within 30 days of arrival. Note: If the horse leaves the HITS property, a newly dated health certificate will be required upon re-entry.

3)     Event Participation Declaration - Signed by the owner/agent/trainer verifying that the horse has been healthy with no sign of infectious disease and has not had a fever above 102°F within 72 hours (3 days) of entry. (Event Participation Declaration Form available at HitsShows.com, and in the prize list.)

4)     Proof of Vaccination - Via a signed statement from the attending veterinarian that the horse has been vaccinated against the following:

(Within 6 months/180 days of entry)
1. Eastern and Western Equine Encephalomyelitis
2. Rabies
3. Tetanus
4. West Nile Virus

(Within 3 months/90 days of entry)
5. Equine Influenza
6. EHV 1 and EHV 4

These heath documents are required upon entry [to HITS facilities] and copies must be filed in the Show Office before any competition numbers will be issued. The results on all required papers should indicate the horse’s registered (show) name.

So for those horses coming for lessons here at Watermark Farm (or training), please comply to the above instructions with the exceptions of a 30 Health Certificate and 90 day Coggins. The HC can be waived in lieu of a vet statement of vaccination (timing listed above) with the EPD and Coggins within 6 months. Substitute Watermark Farm for [HITS] and rather than hand carrying the documents, please scan/email/or fax them ahead of time to our office. 

To be sure there are no misunderstandings, horses coming for lessons and/or training must have on file in our office - 

1) Negative Coggins - Veterinary documentation dated within SIX months (180 days). 

2) Event Participation Declaration - Signed by the owner/agent/trainer verifying that the horse has been healthy with no sign of infectious disease and has not had a fever above 102°F within 72 hours (3 days) of entry. NO EXCEPTIONS

3)  Proof of Vaccination - Via a signed statement from the attending veterinarian that the horse has been vaccinated against the following:

(Within 6 months/180 days of entry)
1. Eastern and Western Equine Encephalomyelitis
2. Rabies
3. Tetanus
4. West Nile Virus

(Within 3 months/90 days of entry)
5. Equine Influenza
6. EHV 1 and EHV 4

For our trailering clients -
If you park on the road - please limit contact with the bachelor herd that comes calling. While they are friendly, we ask you to greet them from afar and tell them to go back to their big bale of hay. Please do not allow your horse(s) to touch noses with ours. 

For lessons in the indoor - please use the door on the South Side for all human and outside equine traffic.

All students who are using a WF horse for a lesson - 

Please use your best judgement and wear clean clothing - shoes, breeches, gloves, etc that have not been in contact with other horses unless you keep a closed herd situation at your own farm. You will be asked to provide proof of vaccination and temperature logs of your horses if it is a high traffic situation (high volume farrier, vet, contact with other horses, etc.). 

For our human farm visitors and guests -

Please refrain from petting our horses or offering them treats. 

Please do not come to the farm after having been to other horse farms as this disease can be carried on clothing or shoes.

And if you find our protocol unfair or too taxing for your schedule or that of your boarding barn, please understand that we have show horses that are traveling to other stables and show grounds. We have to comply with the rules and protocols of other facilities and have documents that can substantiate the traffic at our home facility in case of illness developing at any point in the competition year.