Conference noted::equitation

    Does anyone have any info on the quarantine situation at Rockingham
    Park? I know all the horses are in quarantine, and that something like
    35-40 of them have some sort of virus. Anyone know what the virus is?
    One of the reasons Im so interested is that my neighbors' Morgan
    gelding has been at Brindle Ledge for the past few months for training
    and he has come down very sick, with symptoms such as were described in
    the newpaper article I read.....swollen joints, very high fever. My 
    neighbor told me that they came very close to putting him down a few
    nights ago because he was so bad off, but he seems to be pulling
    through a little better as of when I talked to her about it last night.
    Anyway, Brindle Ledge frequently has horses going back and forth from
    the track and Im concerned that this poor fella picked it up that way,
    and they also have a mare who just returned from a stay up there a few
    weeks ago and who has since been exposed to my own horses...
    

Has anyone heard about some bug that is going around Rockingham horses?
I heard the horses were quarantined.  Also, I heard that no New York or
New Jersey track will accept any New England horse until further notice.

What is going on?  Is this something that regular people need to worry
about with their horses?  Is this just a scare by other tracks?  What
impact will this have on New England horses?

Ed..

    I braid for the Mass racing commissioner's daughter so am talking with
    him quite a bit...
    
    Apparently its some sort of a virus, extremely contagious.  It's
    affecting the dog tracks as well.  They're not sure if it's 2 different
    strains of the same virus (one for dogs, one for horses).  They haven't
    figured out what it is yet.  Several horses have died from it as well
    as some being humanely destroyed.  It's apparently in Foxboro as well. 
    He didn't mention Suffolk.  The Raynham dog track is apparently also
    seeing it there (which makes me nervous cause we're showing in Raynham
    on Sunday)...
    
    I'll talk to him again this afternoon and if he has anything new to
    tell me I'll post the info here.
    
    Kris
    

    I have heard that the virus is airborne and causes founder in horses,
    which could be the result of a high fever.  The horses are being
    treated with two types of "horse aspirin" and are responding well.
    25-30 horses have been affected at Suffolk downs, a two year old,
    I Got Away who was brought from Florida 5 days ago has died.  They
    now believe that he was sick when he arrived, Tufts has done a
    necropsy and the results will be available today.  Foxboro will
    cancel all live racing tommorow, and the rest of the weekend will
    be decided on a day to day basis.  There are currently no sick horses
    stabled at Foxboro, but 50% of the horses racing there are
    ship ins.  Sunday was the last day that a horse from Suffolk came
    in to foxboro, and the incubation seems to be several days for the
    virus.  
    
    The dogs at Wonderland have Kennel cough, which is a respiratory
    infection.  At Seabrook, more than 1000 dogs are being innoculated
    against kennel cough, and no new dogs are being allowed in unless
    the track is sure they don't have the disease.  The dual outbreak
    between dogs and horses at this time appears coincidental.

    FWIW (altho not quite related to horse racing) the dogs at Plainfield
    (CT) greyhound park also have kennel cough.  The track has been closed
    down for the time being.
    
    Boy, did that stuff spread quickly.
    
    
    kim

    Kiirja (I hope I got it right)-
    
    Are you saying they may not allow horses to go between ma and nh?
    Did they say how long?
    
    We have a bunch of shows coming up and this could change our plans.
    
    Michele
    
    Any ideas on how they'd enforce this?

    Michele,
    
    I work for the racing commissioner as his braider and groom.  I've got
    a call into him to see if he's taking his daughter to a show this
    weekend.  I'll find out for sure when I talk to either him or his wife.
    
    The info about closing the MA/NH borders came from Tufts...they didn't
    say when/if/or how long it would happen.  Apparently this is a lot
    bigger than originally thought.  
    
    And I'm sure it affects all of us who show regularly or have an
    interest in racing...It even made the 12:00 news on channel 4.
    
    Kris
    

    I just got off the phone with the commissioner's wife.
    
    It's true about the MD/VA borders being closed to horse traffic.  They
    still don't know what it is...all the big vet schools (Tufts, Cornell,
    etc.) are involved in it now.  MA is closed to all RACING horses coming
    in/out of state.  The MA state vets are in the process of checking out
    if any of the big farms have it in their facilities.  They have not yet
    decided to close the borders to all horse traffic.  She will let me
    know if/when that happens.
    
    They believe that this virus is airborn, don't know the incubation
    period yet but believe it's 7-14 days.
    
    She also said that if you don't have to travel with your horse, then
    please don't.
    
    People have been calling him about the big Morgan show this weekend. 
    It's still up in the air whether all horse activities (i.e., shows,
    clinics, etc) will be cancelled.  She said she'd let me know on that
    too and I;ll post it as soon as I know.
    
    Kris
    

    Here is what I just found out from a vet about the virus:
    
    Symptoms include a temp that can spike to 104-106 degrees, edema in
    the body that settles in the limbs (thus severe swelling) and a nasal
    discharge because it can affect the respitory system.
    
    If it is caught early enough and the horse can be medicated, the
    chances of founder are greatly diminished.
    
    It is VERY CONTAGIOUS!!  It can even be transported on a car or truck
    that has been around the virus.  
    
    Two horses have died, one at Suffolk that they believe was sick before
    he came up from Florida 5 days ago, and one at Rockingham that had 
    foundered badly.  
    
    If you are around a horse that you believe has been exposed to the
    virus, make sure you wash your hands, boots and clothing before
    handling your own or another horse.
    
    This is scary stuff!!
    

    That's it!   No horse shows or playdays until end of Aug...
    
    L-

    Lynn,
    
    	I agree 100%...I'm qualified for the finals in September and
    desperately need to get out and show some more, but I'm not risking my
    horse or risk infecting the whole barn...
    
    Kris
    

    
    	Mass Equine is recommending staying home, also. One of my
    	biggest shows is sunday, I hope it's rescheduled!! (it's
    	in RI, I'm on MA)...
    
    	One thing to remember is to ask your farrier where he's 
    	been this week before he comes to do your horses!
    
    	Sherry
    

    NYRA(New York Racing Association) closed ALL NY tracks yesterday to horses 
    shipping from New England. All the NY based racehorses which have been in 
    New England in the past couple weeks(about 15 horses) have been put
    into strict quarrantine until the disease is better understood.
    

    My horse was at Tufts for a bad illness 2 weeks ago. It was diagnosed
    as enteritis (inflamation of the intestines).  I called them today to
    see if there was any relation to the racing horse virus.  They said
    no and that they have not seen the indications of this virus anywhere
    but at Rockingham and (?) (the other racing one).  They said they've 
    had a lot of calls from worried vets and owners, and so far it they
    feel it is isolated to the race tracks.
    
    Sharon

    Good point Sherry, about the farrier...Same would go for
    friend's horses, the vet, etc.....

    I spoke to two vets again yesterday, and they believe the virus
    is Equine Iaritus (sp).  There is a vaccine available for it, the
    only problem is that its a live vaccine, not a killed one as most
    are.  If you gave the live vaccine to half the barn and not the 
    other half, the ones who got it would give the illness to the ones
    who didn't.  

    I just called my own vet in Goffstown Nh and asked if there was any
    reason to be concerned about going to a local show this weekend, I
    have one scheduled for *next* Saturday....I was told there is no reason
    to worry, *there have been no reported cases anywhere exept the tracks*,
    but she did suggested staying in state because some states are closed
    to horse traffic. Im a bit concerned because my neighbors horse being
    boarded at Brindle Ledge was very sick with similar symptoms, but I
    are not actually sure if it is the same virus or not. I'll try to go
    over there tonite and ask if they know anything yet, the daughter said
    last night they were now suspecting Potomac Horse Fever. At any rate,
    this horse HAS been isolated at Brindle Ledge and appears to be
    recovering well.
    
    Guess I'll call my vet again next week before I decide whether to show
    or not before panicking, hopefully by then more will be known.
    
    Anyone else hear anything??
     

    Here is the latest status from the Globe:
    
    Suffolk Downs:  One death, uncertain if its related.  Track has not 
    been racing, quarantine in effect.  Of 600 horses, 40 reported sick
    
    Rockingham:  No deaths or cancellations.  Quarantine in effect. Of
    1200 horses, 35 reported sick.
    
    Foxboro:  No deaths, no racing since sunday and until next thurs.
    Quarantine in effect.  Of 400 horses, none reported sick.
    
    There are no reported cases or quarantine at Scarboro Downs in Maine.
    The dogs aren't fairing too well either, at Plainfield, 13 have died
    and of 1100, 50% are ill.  
    
    

    
    	A friend of mine is sec to the dean at Tufts, and yesterday he
    	said if you want to go to a local show, fine, use your own 
    	judgement, don't use a commercial trucker, if you see any horses
    	that look sick pack up and go home. 
    
    	The thing to remember is that it has not been seen off the 
    	tracks. I'm going sunday to RI (from MA). I will park with 
    	people I know and not let anyone touch my horse.
    
    
    	I work at Tufts so when I go in tomorrow I am sure I will 
    	hear a lot more about it. Which will also effect my final 
    	decision about sunday, but I've pretty much decided I'm going.
    	Of course, it will probably pour and the decision will be 
    	made for me... :)
    
    	Sherry
    

    OK, the latest from the racing commissioner (actually his wife)....
    
    They believe it's a strain of EVA.  Right now, they're saying the best
    thing to do if your horse comes down with it, is bute and aspirin and
    let it run its course...and contact the vet immediately.  If its caught
    early enough it shouldn't be a problem.  They don't know if it's only
    at the tracks...right now they believe it is, but they're concerned
    that some horses may have been infected and left the track to go to a
    barn or other place other than the track...the state vets have been
    contacting the big barns to see if shown up yet...so far, nothing.
    
    If anyone is planning on going to Saddle Rowe this weekend, it has been
    canceled.
    
    The Morgan show is having problems.  Horses have been shipped in to the
    show grounds and now their states will not let them back into the
    state.
    
    Other than that, nothing new...just wait and see.  And use common sense
    if you're taking your horse off your property...
    

    Still more....
    
    This thing is scary...
    
    Most of the east coast from MD/Kentucky area is shut down.  No horses
    in or out.  Each state varies so we were told that if you are going out
    of state to call the department of agriculture to find out if that
    state will allow animals in.  My leased horse is going back to NY.  He
    can go back IF:  1.  Been innoculated for EVA 14 days prior to crossing
    state borders  2.  Has a vet certificate stating that the vet has known
    the horse for 1 month and has not been around tracks  3.  Has health
    certificate from vet.  So he stays for a while till this thing blows
    over.  
    
    We (my instructor and I) were told that if you were going into VT or NH
    to call 1 hour before you leave.  Apparently they are going by an hour
    by hour status...CT has been shut down completely.  So far nothing on
    RI and ME.
    
    Horse shows are being cancelled left and right for precautionary
    reasons...
    
    People showing in Killington are allowed to return to CT if and only if
    they do not stop at all in MA (no stopping over at other shows on the
    way home)...
    
    Hopefully this will pass quickly and not cause more damage than has
    already been done...

    According to the newspaper article that I read yesterday, MA and NH
    have not limited traveling at all.  There are many states that are not
    allowing ANY horses from New England at all.   I know that this must be
    really throwing a monkey wrench into some plans for horse shows,
    especially the big ones that hire 4 judges and rent the show grounds
    and all that other stuff.  They will be hurting.  Both kennel cough and
    EVA are very easy to treat, as long as they are caught in time.
    
    Karen

    
    	The vaccine for EVA is a live vaccine. I don't know how long 
    	it takes to go into effect once administered.
    
    	Tufts vets are saying to stay home until this blows over, 
    	probably another two weeks. Some horses left the track to go
    	to layup or private barns before the quarantine started. 
    
    	I do know that the track vets are STILL TESTING - they called
    	[Tufts] to ask for cultivation medium over the weekend. To me
    	that means they're still not quite sure it's EVA, or that it's
    	ONLY EVA. I don't know how long they would keep testing, or if
    	they're trying to test every horse they've got, or what. 
    
    	Sherry
     

    The problem with the live vaccine is that all horses in the barn
    need to be vaccinated or they will catch the virus from the ones
    who have been vaccinated.  When you administer a live vaccine you
    are actually giving the horse the illness.
    
    I raced friday night at Scarboro, and though the illness hasn't 
    broken out there yet, as of this wednesday they are requiring a
    vets health certificate written within 7 of the day you race. 
    The state steward made no mention of the borders being closed.

    As of Friday, you needed to call 1 hour in advance to get into VT and
    to see if they were letting horses in the state at all.  As of Sunday
    CT was closed completely to all MA horses.
    
    I haven't talked to the commissioner today (I'm at a woods meeting) but
    I'll try and get in touch with him tonite...
    
    

    
    I was at Huntington in VT this weekend - most people from the southern
    states and Canada couldn't go home.
    
    NY, NJ, ME needed health certificates.
    
    The vet at Huntington said that people are hesitant to vaccinate
    against EVA in some cases because the horse will always test positive
    for EVA after being vaccinated.  This is ok unless there are plans
    for the horse to compete in Europe or Canada, because it could make it
    difficult to get health certificates to get into other countries.
    
    I heard a VERY unconfirmed rumor that the MA-NH border might be closed
    to horse traffic - does anyone know more about this?
    
    Amy

     I'm on the West coast (CA).  We haven't had a virus problem in quite a
    while and I sympathize with all of you who have been affected by this.
    I do have one comment.  Has anyone checked the barn where the Florida
    horse came from?  I was to understand he was the first one to be sick
    or was sick when he arrived at the track.  
    I am relived to hear that it seems to be under control also.  Good
    luck!!!
    
    
    
    virginia

    re: .29
    
    
    As of Saturday, the status of MA/NH borders closing was changing by the
    hour and it was recommended you call the dept of agriculture to see
    what the status was at that time...not sure what's going on today...
    
    

    
    	Can anyone (Kris maybe?) post the phone numbers for Dept of
    	Agriculture and/or all of the state vets?

    Phone number for Dept of Agriculture - Animal Health:
    
    100 Cambridge St
    Boston
    
    617-727-3013
    
    
    This came from a 1989 phone book so not be the same.....
    
    I'll see if I can find the state vets #'s....The Dept. of Agriculture
    may have this info too...

    What does EVA stand for?  Is it something that shows up on occassion
    when the circumstances are right (like rabies). 
    
    

    
    Equine Viral Arteritis (sp?)
    
    

    I thought it said in the paper that the only horse to die
    really colic'ed ?

    I think I agree with a previous comment by one of the Futlz's.

    Bill

    My horse is stabled on the NH/MA state line. I called the Mass. Dept.
    of
    Agriculture, Dept. of Animal Health [phone # supplied by Kris] this
    morning. According to them, they spoke to the State Vet. yesterday
    and they are not even considering closing the MA/NH state border.
    
    I asked if there were any cases found outside of Rockingham or Suffolk
    and they said no.
    
    I also called the NH Dept. of Agriculture. They also said that the
    MA/NH
    border closing is a rumor.

    
    	Well, I hate to perpetuate rumors, but I honestly don't
    	think we know the whole story yet....
    
    	A friend who showed at Northampton over the weekend said
    	the vet was sending horses home sick from the show. Sick
    	from what, we don't know. 
    
    	The paper today says Suffolk is quarantining against "what
    	IS SUSPECTED TO BE equine viral arteritis". Suspected? Doesn't
    	it make you wonder? 
    
    	

    Update:
    
    Good news, I hope....
    
    They have not seen any new cases break out over the weekend at the
    tracks.  They also still have not seen it off the tracks.  If it goes
    14 days without a new case, the quarantine will be lifted.
    
    CT is has closed its borders - this is true.  The commissioner's pony
    is in CT and can leave to go to shows but cannot come back into the
    state....an 11 year old girl who loves to show is extremely
    frustrated....
    
    Other than that, nothing new.
    
    Kris
    

    A customer was on his was to Oneco last weekend and was told he could
    enter CT, but he wouldn't be able to leave.  So he came back to
    Westboro.
    
    The guyes roped in VT last weekend and had no problems w/ border
    crossing.  Some folks from CT couldn't get back in.   
    
    One of my vets (the less conservative one) who is associated from tufts
    said not to worry about it.  The more conservative one will give me 
    her recommendation the end of the week.....my mare is pregnant and EVA
    will cause abortion.  Both vets are associated with Tufts.  They also
    gave me info which I think contradicts what has been discussed here.
    but then again, it may be my interpretation.  
    
    The main idea I keep getting is that if this goes 14 days w/out another
    outbreak, then it's all done.
    
    Michele

    This mornings Globe stated that 15 horses are now infected at Foxboro
    and the number is up to 100 at Rockingham.  A horse died at Rockingham
    on friday but was buried before an autopsy could be done.  This
    particular horse had been suffering from an intestional condition and
    the vites didn't feel there was any connection to EVA.   Another horse
    there is gravely ill at this time with at least one of the symptoms of
    EVA.  A horse died at Suffolk yesterday and was suspected of having
    EVA, but the autopsy proved it was something totally different. 
    Suffolk Downs has nearly 100 sick horses at this time but have reported
    no new cases for the first time in over a week.  

    
    
    I gues the mass agric. advised barns to boost horses with RHINO??
    
    anyone else heard this?
    
    		wendy o'
    
    

FWIW, there's a woman who boards at our barn adn works at Tufts Vet. Hosp.  
According to her, they have *NOT* confirmed that this virus is EVA (at least as
of last night).

    I was looking at horses to lease this past weekend.  The owner of the
    barn we went to has horses at the track.  She had said her vet
    recommended vacinnating against rhino also.  She did this.  She said
    that the horses on either side of her horses at the track were sick but
    hers were fine....
    
    Can't get in touch with the commissioner for the next couple days...as
    soon as I can, I'll let you know.
    
    Kris
    

    According to an article in last Saturday's "The Blood Horse", the
    outbreak at Rockingham HAS been confirmed as Equine Viral
    Arteritis(EVA) by the laboratories at Cornell University.
    
    The article went on to say that the biggest danger of EVA was of
    abortion in pregnant mares. Apparently, the "kill-ratio" of the disease
    is considered low. However,a horse weakenen by EVA may succumbto other
    ailments like colic more easily as the previous reports in this note
    suggest.

    I did want to go "play" at a Gymkhana this Sunday....No racehorse
    people participate.....think it would be taking too big a chance?
    
    L-

    I am going to a hunter show tommorrow....I called my vet yesterday
    and asked what the risk is, he said no more risk than normal since
    there have still been no reported cases away from the tracks. We're
    going, Im more worried about my recovering back sprain than the virus,
    actually. :-)
    
    As an aside, I did find out the my neighbors' Morgan who had a
    mysterious ailment with similar symptoms to this EVA virus and is
    constantly exposed to race horses did NOT have  the same thing after
    all. I don't recall what they said he did have, but at any rate he's
    fine and healthy once again and not carrying EVA to NH.
                 

    
    
    I cancelled all my shows for the next 2 weeks and see where this
    heads.. The horses I ride arent mine, so I have to be extra careful.
    I wouldnt want to go out and bring anything back to the barn.
    
    		wendy o'
    
    

    I'm passing on the show this weekend in NH because it will be more than 
    just Paint horses.  They are having a bunch of Hunter stakes classes 
    w/ prize money and I can't be sure wher ethese horses would come from.
    Besides my mare is pregnant.  If she wasn't pregnant, I'd take our
    chances.
    
    Michele

	I attended the Vermont Quarter Horse show this past weekend and had 
no problems traveling out of state. I had a health certificate with me and 
also the show secretary had a signed form for each exhibitor stating that the 
had attend the show. I found out that the Conn. Quarter Horse show that was 
to be held in Oneco, CT had been canceled as well as the New England Quarter 
Horse Show that was to be held later this week (4 days, BIG E, W. Springfield, 
MA). I also heard that Rhode Island had closed their border to all horse 
traffic, with no exceptions....has anyone heard this?


Dave D.

    The ropers were in NY over the weekend and they were told they couldn't 
    leave, well they did, and they are back.
    
    The latest rumor I've heard is that this might not be this EVA, but
    possibly contaminated feed.  It seems all the tracks get their feed
    from the same farm.  It is the only common denominator among them.
    It is also suspicious that only one or two horses in the barn would get
    sick, when brushes and bridles are shared...(from a person who works at
    one of these tracks).   The guy I know who works at the track also
    said his horse had this illness 2 months ago....and guess what he gets
    his feed from the track.
    
    One of our vets was telling us that Cornell is having trouble making
    a vaccine.              

    Re .52
    
    Just like a state bureaucrat to ask for a recent health certificate to
    protect us from a disease with a two week incubation period.  I guess
    we should be glad that they don't invent some other process besides
    this one to protect the state's horses.
    
    ;^)
    
    Bob
    

    From last Saturday's Blood Horse:
    
    "Dr Peter Timoney of the Gluck Equine Center in Kentucky was continuing
    to follow the pre-quarrantine movement of horses from Rockingham Park
    to Suffolk Downs and Belmont and Saratoga. An outbreak of EVA
    necessitated the quarrantine at Rockingham. Twelve horses at Suffolk
    showed EVA symptoms on July 13. Eight Rockingham horses at Belmont and 
    5 at Saratoga have been in isolation for 9 days with no clinical
    symptoms. Dr Timoney said that Dr Don Lain, director of the diagnostic
    laboratory at Cornell University in New York, had reported receiving a
    significant number of samples to be TESTED BUT HAD NO FURTHER
    DIAGNOSES(of EVA)."

    
    			EVA NEWS FROM MANCHESTER N.H.
    
    	In the Union Leader this morning they have a big article on EVA.
    State Veterinarian Dr Cliford McGinnis said "he diagnosed the illness
    as Equine Viral Artertis in about 5% ofthe horses at Rockingham Park.
    he said the virus HAS BEEN CONTAINED in the past 20 days". He STRESSED
    there is NO QUARANTINE IN THE STATE. NO cases documented in the stae
    outside of the racetrack walls. The disease is rarely fatal to horses.
       The threat of EVA has kept horses out of compution in Newhampshire,
    and Kentucky while Rhode Island and Connecticut continue to prohibit
    horses from NewHampshire or Mass from entering those states.
       The Americian Saddle Bred Horse Show in Stratham has been
    CANCLED.
       The Grand Prix Series Attitash Equine Festival in Bartlett will
    still been on for August 13-16th, providing there is no danger of this
    virus and so far there IS NONE. They are thinking of providing horseman
    and women with documants that say their horses have been to Attitash
    the opposite side of the state from Rockinham... and they should have
    no problems entering back into their own states with their horses.
      The Cheshire Fair is still on for July 31st.
      The virus characterized in horses by swelling in the legs, high
    fever, and some respiratory problems... has been a problem in some
    southern states in the past. Officials therorize it came to the state
    in horses that arrived from Florida.
      MCGINNIS said "HE IS CONFIDENT THE VIRUS IS UNDER CONTAINED AND URGED
    OWNERS NOT TO FEAR FOR THEIR ANIMALS AT EVENTS. In the meantime he said
    he is working with vet's in other states to lift embargoes. He feels
    confident that they have keep it contained. He urges people to go to
    the fairs. The virus is containned at the track.
      There were a total of 67 horses with this virus found at rockingham
    park.
      Dr. McGinnis will be taking his Percheron Draft Horses to the
    Stratham Fair !!!!

    
    	I know I've totally absent from these notes for the past year, but
    I have been keeping an eye on them, especially this one.  In Maine my
    vet has encouraged me strongly to keep my horses home if at all 
    possible... the word this week (8/5/92) is that tho the EVA situation
    seems to be under control around New England, they are not SURE it was
    EVA at all...  AND there is an incredible number of VERY sick horses
    who have been trucking all over....  there are virus' that are not
    necessarily named.
    
    	Since we have brood mares, and since there is young stock in the
    barn we have decided to skip the Mass Morgan show next week and not
    take any chances.  She also said that one of her larger facilities who
    take "extrodinary" care of their horses, are all sick... having
    attended shows outside the state and brought "something" back... I
    did also hear a RUMOR that swamp fever was running through the
    race horse barns, also.  That was only 2nd  hand info tho, not any
    thing that the vet said.
    
    	We're going to stay home, and hope to be ready to go to Syracuse at
    the end of September........
    
    						holly
    

    
    	Someone I know was pulled over and fined for pulling
    	non-CT horses into CT last weekend. 
    
    	At the same time, I know of one CT person so bent on showing
    	for points that she is going to RI and NH to show, crossing
    	CT at the RI border on the way out and circling around to 
    	come back in through MA. Give me a break...
    

    Worse, that I heard that 2 horses (T'breds) couldn't find
    a home, (they came up from OK) so they went to the slaughterhouse....
    
    

    The last I heard, the quarantine was supposed to be lifted in
    NH at the beginning of the week, with Mass to follow shortly
    thereafter.  Anyone with anymore info?

    
    I had heard that the quarantine was lifted and the scare was basically
    over.  I'm going to Maine and VT this week, and I was told by the
    people in Maine that they would be comfortable with my trucking in as
    long as I brought a health certificate.
    
    Amy

    Another thing to remember, you need a coggins within 6 months if
    you are crossing the border.  I would think with all this illness
    they would get strict on that again too.

    The quarantine was lifted several days ago at both Suffolk and
    Rockingham.  I read it in two papers myself.  The paper stated that
    they still did not know what it was either.
    
    KJ

    Was at my trainer's last night in CT.  Her vet won't give health
    certificates to leave the State at this point.  We were to show in
    New Hampshire...Deerfield...next weekend.
    Our horses are all well but he said that he was concerned about
    some other "goodie" that has been found in CT.
    Will keep you posted.
    

    
    	Some friends of mine in CT told me a woman who lives a
    	couple of miles from them brought a horse home from Suffolk
    	a few days before this hit the news, and had the horse put
    	down the next day. I guess she told the vet two different
    	stories on the horse and now her barn is quarantined.
    
    	CT newspapers reported that the borders are no longer 
    	closed as of yesterday.
    

    The story goes on....a horse came out of one of the auctions and
    died 48 hours afterwards.  Of what they don't know at this point.
    
    We will have to wait and see on the show.  If her vet won't give her
    the health certificates I guess we don't go.  Some of those horses,
    mine for one, will be going to NSH Nationals in Omaha in September.
    
    Thanks for the input.
    
    Kathie
    

    
    	The Northeast Equine Journal has a good article on 
    	this in this month's issue. page 38
    

    
    	This thing is a little scarey to me... and I am glad that I have
    	decided to stay home from Mass Morgan, even tho my horse is very
    	ready (for her 2 yr old pleasure driving debut).  It will have to
    	wait for Syracuse at the end of September............  and we'll
    	stay home from there if necessary.
    
    	There are continued "sick" horses cropping up here in Maine, it
    	would make me feel better if we knew what they were sick with!
    
    

    	I wonder what ever happened with this virus?
    
    	Karen

    From what I read in The Blood Horse, the outbreak of whatever it was
    just disappeared. The ban on shipping has been lifted everywhere. The
    first samples sent to Cornell showed EVA but later samples didn't so 
    as far as I know its identity and treatment are still a mystery.