Equine

Kentucky is known to be the Horse Capital of the world.  With the miles of black and white equestrian fencing dancing along the sprawling bluegrass countryside leading to the historic horse racing cathedrals as well as dozens of legendary Kentucky horse farms, many of Kentucky’s trainings facilities have raised horse legends as well as trainers.

The Kentucky Derby is one of many highlights of how strong the equine industry is to Kentucky.  Some other highlights include the breeding and rearing of equine in Kentucky pastures.  Equine in Kentucky has helped boost the tourism and the economy by providing many jobs.

There are over 242,000 horses in Kentucky, with close to 50% of them involving in showing or recreational activities.  The average thoroughbred farm is 300 acres.

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INTRODUCING THE EXTENDED EQUINE CERTIFICATE OF VETERINARY INSPECTION (EECVI)

As of April 1, 2019, the Kentucky Office of the State Veterinarian will no longer issue the Equine Interstate Event Permit, also known as the Equine Passport.  However, please be advised that any Equine Passport issued by our office before 04/01/2019 is still valid for interstate travel to accepting states six months from the CVI issue date or until the EIA (Coggins) expires.

Introducing the Extended Equine Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (EECVI): a better solution for frequent horse travelers to keep moving and stay compliant, and offered by GlobalVetLINK.  Participating states include: Alabama (AL), Arkansas (AR), Florida (FL), Georgia (GA), Kansas (KS), Kentucky (KY), Maryland (MD), Missouri (MO), Mississippi (MS), Montana (MT), North Carolina (NC), New Mexico (NM), South Carolina (SC), Tennessee (TN), Texas (TX), Virginia (VA), West Virginia (WV), and Wyoming (WY).  Many additional states plan on participating, but are not able to at this time due to requirement of a legislative rule change period.  We will share information as additional states join the program in the future.

How does the EECVI help you?

• •   Health Certificate that lasts up to six months
• •   Owners have 24/7 access in online account
• •   Automatically submitted to original and destination states
• •   Greater participation nationally

Click the links provided below for more information about the EEVI, helpful to Kentucky horse owners and veterinarians alike.

EECVI Owner-Agent Checklist

EECVI Veterinarian Checklist

For more information about the EECVI and FAQs, please visit GlobalVetLINK.com.

KENTUCKY’S 2018 POTOMAC HORSE FEVER (PHF) Cases - Updated: August 25, 2018

The first confirmed case of Potomac Horse Fever (PHF) diagnosed in Kentucky during calendar year 2018 was reported on June 1, 2018.  The diagnosis was confirmed with PHF DNA detected by PCR testing and compatible clinical symptoms observed.  Through the week ending August 25, a total of 26 cases have been confirmed.  Confirmation of each case was by PCR testing and compatible clinical symptoms observed.  A summary of the cumulative cases is included in the table and graphics below.

Historically, Kentucky’s PHF cases are first detected later in the year (mid-July), and our thought is the early detection this year was most probably associated with abundant wet weather in April and record breaking warm temperatures in May.

Horsemen are encouraged to review the environment their horses are housed and consult their veterinarians on strategies they may use to mitigate disease risk. Minimizing opportunity for horses to ingest aquatic insects by turning off lights in and around barns and other areas at night, has been suggested.

Potomac horse fever (PHF) is described to be an acute enterocolitis syndrome that presents as mild colic, fever, and diarrhea in horses of all ages.  The resulting illness can also cause abortion in pregnant mares. The causative agent, Neorickettsia risticii, is a gram-negative bacterium.  Infection of the large intestine results in an acute colitis, which is one of the principal clinical signs of PHF.  While the disease is often associated with pastures bordering creeks or rivers, it is believed most horses contract PHF after inadvertent ingestion of aquatic insects that carry N risticii and not the water source.