The confirmed outbreak of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) throughout the Western U.S. and Canada has prompted a decision to temporarily close Fremont County’s Pathfinder Regional Park and the Pathfinder Arena to all horse-related events. Fremont County Extension Director Tommy Covington said that upon learning of similar actions being taken by other counties in Colorado he received a recommendation from veterinarians at Colorado State University Extension to take the same precautions.
Covington says the closure of the Pathfinder Arena to horse events will last at least until June 1st at which time it will be reevaluated. EHV-1 is a highly contagious strain which specifically attacks horses and has caused several deaths in horses over the last several days. Covington says he has heard of no EHV-1 cases being reported in Fremont County.
Currently, horses in four counties - Boulder, Larimer, Mesa, and Weld - are being investigated for the disease and are under hold or quarantine orders. One horse which tested positive for EHV-1 was euthanized after showing severe neurological signs associated with the disease.
The Colorado Department of Agriculture is working with the Utah State Veterinarian to investigate the location of the Ogden, Utah, cutting horse championships last week "as a point of interest for the infection".