Despite risks of a fast-spreading equine herpes virus, the San
Benito County Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo will continue as planned
with only a few precautionary measures. The show, in its 78th year,
is scheduled for the weekend of June 24 through June 26, and
organizers expect the usual number of participants in attendance,
board of directors’ member, and show veterinarian Charles
Tobias.
Despite risks of a fast-spreading equine herpes virus, the San Benito County Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo will continue as planned with only a few precautionary measures.
The show, in its 78th year, is scheduled for the weekend of June 24 through June 26, and organizers expect the usual number of participants in attendance, board of directors’ member, and show veterinarian Charles Tobias.
The virus stems from an event held in Ogden, Utah in early May. Since then, there have been 84 confirmed cases of the virus in 10 states, including California. As of June 7, 21 cases have been confirmed in the state – but none in San Benito County.
“There is no greater risk at this year’s show than any other year of our show,” Tobias said.
But as a precaution, organizers are asking owners to keep their horses home if they display a fever or symptoms of the disease.
“We are telling them to do the things they should do anyway,” he said. “The difference is going to be very minimal.”
In a letter sent out to members and participants, the rodeo and horse show asked for all horses that participated at the event in Utah and in Bakersfield on May 21 to contact the organizers in advanced.
“Again we emphasize this outbreak has been confined strictly to horses that had attended the above mentioned events and have been quarantined,” according to the letter. “The virus as been contained to this group of horses.”
At this time, horses will not be tested before the show because there is “no need,” he said.
“At this point, unless there is another outbreak of it, we will be expecting to move forward as planned,” Tobias said.
Symptoms for the highly contagious disease includes loss of coordination, displays of weakness and the inability to rise after laying down, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the United States Department of Agriculture.
But Tobias doesn’t expect the virus to affect the show because exposure to the disease has been accounted for and is limited.
“The dangers of the virus have been overblown,” he said.
