Harbes Trimming Equine Services

05/06/2026

Good information right here! 👇

Strong hooves always need a high nutrient density diet.

Getting the balance right of magnesium, zinc and copper is critical, not just adding them in, but providing them in the correct ratios, matched to grass and hay, so they can actually be absorbed and used.

Magnesium plays a key role in metabolism and is essential for supporting a well-connected, resilient laminae structure. Zinc and copper are fundamental for keratin formation and hoof integrity, but without balance, absorption is compromised.

Protein drives hoof quality, but it’s not just “protein levels.”

Always we must address the availability of all essential amino acids across the total daily diet. Each element of your horses diet matters for balance and absorption. The body will always prioritise vital organs and systems first… so hooves only benefit when there is enough left over to build strong, durable horn, white line connection and frog health.

Our database of over 12,000 samples of forage shows us what hooves need.

What we typically suggest for hoof support:
• Copper: 400 mg
• Zinc: 1200 mg
• Magnesium: 12 g

Essential amino acids:
• Lysine: 10 g
• Methionine: minimum 5 g

You should increase methionine to 10 g/day where hoof issues are present

Then:
• Increase overall protein by 100 g/day using a quality protein source (500 kg horse)
• Consider adding a full-spectrum essential amino acid supplement (all 9 EAAs)

💡 Feed these amino acids in a small meal after work because this is when the body is most primed to absorb and utilise these nutrients effectively.

Balance first, matched to forage. Then build. That’s how you grow stronger hooves.

💫 Know a friend with a horse with poor hooves? Save this or send this to them 💫

12/17/2025

I wear my badger built apron with Pride every day. Absolutely hands-down love the fit of this apron. I actually have two that I toggle between. Now I can’t wait to wear this hat with Pride. Thank you Badger Built, LLC for creating, and promoting such an amazing product. That is exactly what you say it is. 🙌 

12/16/2025

There are many pieces to the puzzle of balance in the equine hoof. As hoof care practitioners we need to consider each one respectful and then together as a unit! 🙌

12/11/2025

Good info from Dr. Buchanan! 🙌

12/06/2025

I’m a few days behind but wanted to share the latest I could find! 🙏

🐴 As of December 4th, 2025 at 6:00PM, pictured are the current numbers for positive EHV-1 and EHM cases in the United States that are associated with the WPRA event in Waco, TX.

🦠 We are aware of two confirmed positive EHV-Neurological and 1 suspected positive in Lancaster County, PA. One horse has been euthanized based on clinical signs. These cases are not connected to the WPRA event in Waco, TX.

🦠 We are monitoring the EHV-4 confirmed positive case in PA. And the EHV-1 case in OH. Neither of those cases in OH and PA are associated with the WPRA event in Waco, TX.

🦠 We are aware of the positive EHV-1 case in Alberta, Canada. It is not connected to the WPRA event in Waco, TX.

🦠 Currently, there are no confirmed positive EHV-1 nor EHM cases in the state of New York. We will continue to provide up to date and reliable information as the situation continues to develop.

🐴 Our hearts and support goes out to the horses, owners, trainers, grooms, veterinarians, technicians, assistants and office staff that are caring for these horses, practicing good biosecurity, and fielding the litany of questions and negativity surrounding this outbreak.

🙋 Be sure to check out our previous Q and A posts for more information about EHV-1 and EHM. If you have any further and respectful questions, please comment them below and we will do our best to answer them in a future post.

🔗Please follow this link to the Equine Disease Communication Center: https://www.equinediseasecc.org/

12/01/2025

12/1 updated numbers! 🙏

𝐄𝐇𝐕-𝟏 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐇𝐌 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬

𝟏𝟐/𝟎𝟏/𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝟏𝟏:𝟒𝟓𝐚𝐦

Wow, how are we in December already?

The current EHV-1 reported case total associated with the Waco, TX outbreak is 46, 33 of which are the EHM/neurologic form. Affected states at this time include Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, South Dakota, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Washington state. There are not reported numbers of mortalities to present.

There have been additional reports of EHM in MD (11/18) and PA (11/27) that are not associated with the Waco, TX outbreak. This is 𝐧𝐨𝐭 an abnormal pattern for this disease, as spontaneous outbreaks are known to happen, especially if there is a gathering of younger horses for an event, sale, etc.

Though many western performance events have either been cancelled or rescheduled, it continues to be important to practice good biosecurity and monitoring while traveling and at home. Additionally, it is important to remember that any horse can contract and/or spread Equine Herpesvirus 1 - it is not limited to barrel horses. Horses that have been at events or are traveling should have their temperature monitored at least twice daily (morning and evening) and have their own sets of equipment, buckets, etc. - refer back to our recent post on biosecurity for more tips on how to avoid infectious disease spread.

At any rate, as the outbreak situation continues to develop, transport recommendations have been evolving state by state. Not all states with positive cases have travel restrictions. 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐯𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐕𝐈 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬.

Current travel recommendations and restrictions:

𝐍𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐝𝐚 (𝟏𝟏/𝟏𝟗 - 𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐝)
- Entry permits required until January 1, 2026
- 21 day rule applies (has not been at a premise where a confirmed case of EHV-1 has been in the last 21 days)
- Health Certificates/CVI’s are valid for 30 days from date of issuance, though it needs to be sent with supporting documentation to obtain an entry permit
- Supplemental statements required on CVIs

𝐀𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐨𝐧𝐚 (𝟏𝟏/𝟐𝟏 - 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝)
- Health Certificates/CVIs for horses coming from a state with a confirmed case of EHV-1 (TX, OK, LA, SD, CO, NM, AZ, WA) in the last 30 days are only valid for 5 days
- Non-positive origin states: 30 day health certificates accepted
- Supplemental statements required on CVIs
- The department may have/will contact you if you were at an affected event

𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐚 (𝟏𝟏/𝟐𝟏 - 𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐝)
- CVIs/health certificates must be issued no earlier than 72 hours prior to travel in MT
- Horses potentially exposed to EHV-1 within 14 days of inspection are not eligible for import/travel into MT
- Horses displaying clinical signs of EHV-1 or EHM are not eligible for import/travel into MT

𝐎𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐧 (𝟏𝟏/𝟏𝟗 - 𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐝)
- No current restrictions, but event producers need to register their event with the OR Dept. of Ag. 20 days prior to event, collect records of attendees and horses present and have a designated isolation area available at events. There also needs to be a listed veterinarian of record for events (they don’t need to be present at the event, but available if questions/sick horses arise).

𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐚 (𝟏𝟏/𝟐𝟓 - 𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐝)
- No current restrictions, but horses returning from exposed events/facilities are recommended to be isolated for 21 days with twice daily temperature monitoring and increased biosecurity.
- The department may have/will contact you if you were at an affected event.

𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐨 - 𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐝
- Supplemental statements required on CVIs/health certificates
- No current restrictions

𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚/𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 - 𝐧𝐞𝐰
- The World Equestrian Center cancelled several events
- ALL horses (including those arriving from within the state of FL) arriving at the World Equestrian Center will be required to have a 14 day health certificate/CVI - those without proper paperwork will be denied entry.

𝐎𝐤𝐥𝐚𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐚
- Supplemental statements required on health certificates/CVI (21 day rule)

The majority of states are not accepting 6-month passports (Extended Equine Certificates of Veterinary Inspection/EECVI) at this time. Shorter term health certificates (Certificate of Veterinary Inspection/CVI) are still being accepted and can be issued by your veterinarian for travel. If you are traveling, you and your veterinarian should contact the destination state department of agriculture/state veterinarian for the most current regulations. Additional states may require supplemental statements on CVIs/health certificates - it is recommended to contact the destination state when traveling to find out the most current regulations.

NV recommendations, supplemental statements and updates can be found here: https://agri.nv.gov/Animals/Animal_Disease/Import_Requirements/

AZ recommendations, supplemental statements and updates can be found here:https://agriculture.az.gov/sites/default/files/Letterhead%20Color-NEW%20LOGO-MOVEMENT%20RESTRICTIONS-SIGNED.pdfhttps://agriculture.az.gov/sites/default/files/EHV-EHM-LETTER-TEST%20POSITIVE-NON-CLINICAL-FINAL-SIGNED.pdf

MT recommendations and updates can be found here: https://news.mt.gov/Department-of-Livestock/Equine-Import-Alert

OR recommendations and updates can be found here: https://www.oregonvma.org/news/oda-implements-rules-to-help-prevent-the-spread-of-equine-herpesvirus

CA recommendations and updates can be found here: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/animal_health/equine_herpes_virus.html

CO recommendations and supplemental statements can be found here: https://ag.colorado.gov/animal-health/reportable-diseases/equine-neurologic-disease/equine-herpes-virus-outbreak

FL/World Equestrian Center requirements can be found here: https://worldequestriancenter.com/news/wec-ocala-announces-increased-biosecurity-measures-show-cancellations-amid-ehv-1-concerns/

OK supplemental statement: https://ag.ok.gov/disease-alerts/

11/28/2025

These are the most current numbers that I can find from a source that I trusted. Hope everyone has been able to enjoy some family time this week.

🐴 As of November 27th, 2025 at 6:00PM, these are the current numbers for positive EHV-1 and EHM cases in the United States that are associated with the WPRA event in Waco, TX.

🦠 We are aware of two confirmed positive EHV-Neurological and 1 suspected positive in Lancaster County, PA. One horse has been euthanized based on clinical signs. These cases are not connected to the WPRA event in Waco, TX.

🦠 We are monitoring the EHV-4 confirmed positive case in PA. And the EHV-1 case in OH. Neither of those cases in OH and PA are associated with the WPRA event in Waco, TX.

🦠 Currently, there are no confirmed positive EHV-1 nor EHM cases in the state of New York. We will continue to provide up to date and reliable information as the situation continues to develop.

🦠 The holiday weekend may result in delay of reporting of positive cases.

🔗Please follow this link to the Equine Disease Communication Center: https://www.equinediseasecc.org/

11/25/2025

New numbers through today! 👇

11/24/2025

These are the most current numbers that I’ve seen as of this morning. They are showing the numbers by county within each state.

The cases are located in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Colorado, New Mexico, Washington, and Arizona.

11/24/2025

Some of this is repetitive, but this post spells it out in a pretty simple manner for anybody that’s not completely clear on all the details

𝐄𝐇𝐕-𝟏 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐇𝐌 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞

EHV-1 (Equine Herpesvirus 1) and EHM (Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy) are presently causing a significant amount of distress in the western performance horse industry. Though this is not a new disease, it is more novel to this group of horses.

EHV-1 has four different forms - respiratory, neonatal (foal) infection, abortion and neurologic. The neurologic form can cause what is called EHM, which is the most serious and potentially fatal form of disease. The respiratory form is more commonly diagnosed. Clinical signs include fever, nasal discharge (snotty nose) and/or cough.

EHM is the most severe form of the virus and the reason why these outbreaks are so significant. In this form, the virus will attack the brain and spinal cord and can be fatal to the horse. In addition to those listed above, clinical signs that are noted with the neurologic form include quick-onset weakness, uncoordiantion and trouble standing. They may have difficulty with bowel movements and urination. Some horses also experience extreme lethargy and comatose-like states.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐋, 𝐃𝐑?

- Horses can be infected with EHV-1 and not suffer from neurologic disease (EHM)
- The virus is transmitted through horse-to-horse contact, contaminated humans/tack/equipment and briefly in the air
- There can be “silent carriers” who do not show clinical signs, but can still shed the virus and infect other horses - meaning it is easier to transmit
- The incubation period is variable - on average its 4-7 days from exposure, but it can take up to 14 days
- The best early detection protocol for potentially exposed horses is to take temperatures twice daily - anything above 101.5 degrees is a fever
- If your horse has a fever or displays any other clinical signs of disease (cough, snotty nose, lethargy, inappetance, incoordination), it should be separated from other horses and you should consult your veterinarian for further diagnostics and treatment
- The best prevention for transmission is to stay home and not be in contact with other horses while this outbreak is occurring

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐭?

Your veterinarian can send nasal swabs and blood samples to laboratory testing facilities that run PCR (polymerase chain reaction). Bend Equine Medical Center additionally has an on-site test available for potential cases or exposed horses (results available in 1 hour); you do not need to be a current client to run the tests. This disease is reportable, so if a positive case is identified then it is required to be reported to the state vet.

𝐈𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞?

Though there is not a specific medication to treat the virus, supportive care can be administered. These include anti-inflammatories, IV fluids and slings for horses that are unable to stand. Antibiotics will not have an effect and anti-virals have been shown to have minimal effect in horses that are already clinically affected by the virus. The mortality rate of EHM (neurologic form) is 30-50% with extremely variable recovery times - horses that are able to stay standing on their own typically have a better overall prognosis than down horses. The majority of cases that are infected with EHV-1 (and do not get the neurologic strain) develop a fever +/- nasal discharge and recover. Quarantined horses/facilities are recommended to stay isolated for 21 days after the last positive case is identified.

𝘐𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘳 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘴, 𝘤𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘴 𝘰𝘳 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘱𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘷𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘧 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦.

𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐞 𝐯𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐄𝐇𝐕?

The short answer is, partially. The Pneumabort-K vaccine can reduce viremia and viral shedding. Flu/Rhino combo vaccine (eg. FluVac Innovator EHV4/1) will prevent the respiratory forms of EHV. Unfortunately, studies are somewhat divided on recommendations for vaccinating in the face of an outbreak, so it is easy to read differing opinions on the matter. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰 𝘷𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘶𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘤 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮 - 𝘌𝘏𝘔. Additionally, there has been some evidence showing that horses that are in a stressed state that receive the vaccine may be more likely to contract the disease.

The only horses that should be vaccinated during an active outbreak are unexposed, afebrile and asymptomatic individuals. Fevers can occur after vaccination, which can make it more difficult to identify individuals that need to be isolated. 𝘝𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢 𝘴𝘶𝘣𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘵𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘣𝘪𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴, 𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.

_______________________________

I hope this general overview has helped provide some clarity on this disease. I will do a separate post containing more information on current travel recommendations, health certificate requirements and additional information as we receive it. Even though there have not been positive cases identified in Oregon at this time, staying up to date with current and 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭 information will be the best way to prevent unnecessary spread of this disease.

Please write any questions or topics you’d like me to follow up on in the comments. Thank you for your time spent reading this!

-Dr. Cooper