The Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA) and Canadian Western Agribition (CWA) are closely monitoring the current Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1/EHM) outbreaks and ongoing Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) management associated with recent events in Texas and Oklahoma, as well as an isolated case reported at a boarding facility in Red Deer County. We are in regular communication with veterinary professionals and industry partners to ensure we have the most current and accurate information.
Based on discussions with attending veterinarians, contestants with horses potentially exposed at affected events are being notified and placed under a standard 14-day monitoring and movement restriction protocol. This includes horses residing at the same premises or those that have had direct contact. Currently, and following consultation with multiple veterinary experts, there is no indication of increased disease risk to horses in Canada.
CPRA and CWA are working collaboratively to ensure the Maple Leaf Circuit Finals and all equine-related activities during Canadian Western Agribition can proceed safely. We recognize the significant concern neurologic EHV-1 presents to horse owners, trainers, and competitors, and we remain firmly committed to protecting equine health and welfare. The safety of all animal athletes is our highest priority, and we will continue to work closely with contestants, stock contractors, on-site veterinarians, and event staff to maintain robust disease-prevention measures.
We will continue to provide updates should new information arise.
EHV-1 and other infectious agents can be transmitted easily through direct horse-to-horse contact and indirectly via contaminated hands, clothing, equipment, tack, trailers, and other fomites. CPRA and CWA strongly encourage all competitors, exhibitors, and attendees to implement enhanced biosecurity practices during the Maple Leaf Circuit Finals and at all future events. Recommended measures include:
Biosecurity Best Practices
- Avoid sharing equipment such as water buckets, hoses, bits, grooming tools, or tack between horses.
- Monitor each horse’s temperature twice daily, particularly during and after travel or competition.
- Isolate new or returning horses for a minimum of 21 days prior to reintroducing them to the main herd.
- When caring for multiple horses, attend to healthy horses first and any sick or exposed horses last.
- Thoroughly clean and disinfect stalls, trailers, and equipment between horses and between trips.
- Limit unnecessary travel and avoid mixing horses from different premises whenever possible.
- If a horse is suspected to have been exposed to EHV-1, immediately quarantine that horse—and any horses it has been in contact with—away from all unaffected animals.
In addition, twice-daily temperature monitoring for 21 days following travel or potential exposure is recommended, along with vigilance for early clinical signs, including:
- Fever
- Incoordination, stumbling, hind-limb weakness, or recumbency
- Difficulty urinating or urine dribbling
- Nasal discharge or cough
- Decreased appetite
- Enlarged lymph nodes
CPRA and CWA emphasize that the health and safety of contestants, their horses, and all animals on-site remain paramount. We will continue to coordinate closely with attending and local veterinarians, facility management, and industry stakeholders to ensure our protocols align with the most current scientific guidance and recognized best practices.
Both organizations will continue to monitor the situation and will communicate any changes to equine health protocols or contestant move-in procedures should they become necessary.
Specific Biosecurity Recommended Protocol for 2025 Canadian Western Agribition
- Vaccinations are available to help prevent the respiratory and abortive form of EHV-1; however, there is currently no vaccine labeled for the prevention of the neurologic form of EHV-1 (EHM). A general equine vaccination protocol is recommended as it may lessen the severity of the disease.
- Monitor your horses’ temperature twice a day, contact the event veterinarian if the horse’s temperature exceeds 38.6° C (101.5° F). Competitors are encouraged to monitor their horse’s temperature for 2 – 3 days prior to the event
- Any horse that shows any respiratory disease symptoms i.e. cough, nasal discharge, breathing difficulty, runny eyes, difficulty moving/travelling normally must be reported to the event veterinarian for examination and collection of diagnostic samples and removal to an isolation area.
- Canadian Western Agribition is equipped with an isolation area for horses incase an issue arises during the event. On site Veterinarians have been in contact with Prairie Diagnostics in Saskatoon and would have test results from any samples taken returned within maximum 24 hours.
- On site Veterinarians will monitor horses in the barns at a minimum twice daily.
- Do not share water buckets or feed pails
- Do not share tack and other equipment
- Avoid as much as possible nose to nose contact with other horses
- Competitors should refrain from touching any horses for which they are not directly responsible.
- Wash your hands frequently
- Isolate horses returning home from the show for 21 days
For more information:
Barb Poulsen l CPRA Communications and Media
403 625-9225 l media@rodeocanada.com
Eugenie Officer l Newsroom Director
306 570-3683 l media@agribition.com
Kylie Beck | Director of Livestock & Rodeo
306-924-9702 | kbeck@agribition.com