Veterinarians check horses for travel after quarantine lifted

Now that the horse quarantine has been lifted at the Sunland Park Racetrack, veterinarians have been examining the animals set for travel.

Dr. Paul Jenson from the Jenson equine hospital right in front of the racetrack has been examining horses, a requirement for them to travel. The horses need a travel certificate to cross state lines or to enter the racetrack. Many of them who were quarantined at the racetrack must travel to get back to their home state.

“The fever is the most indicative piece of information for equine herpes virus one. Even though the fever can be intermittent the horse owners have been very good about taking their own horse’s temperatures and monitoring them,” said Dr. Jenson.

To get the certificate, veterinarians check for fever, runny nose and the general appearance of the horse. The travel certificate is only good for 72 hours, purposely.

“If they’re traveling with a horse and it gets sick their main interest is to stop traveling and find medical care for that horse. These horses are fragile. They’re big beautiful animals and their powerful but when they get insulted with a disease and the stress from traveling can be catastrophic can be fatal to a horse,” said Dr. Jenson.

The Equine Herpes virus is very common. Horses get vaccinated against it every three or six months, according to Dr. Jenson. But the vaccine doesn’t fully protect against a neurological form of the disease which is what surfaced at the racetrack.