10th April 2021 - Test Result

Today we received news regarding the Equine Herpes Virus in our horses. The good news: Both horses tested negative for the EHV-1 virus (which is the dangerous variant).

The bad news: Sarina tested positive for the EHV-4 virus. However, she shows no symptoms.

There are different types of herpes viruses (Types 1-5). Type 1 is the one that is feared and can have a severe course leading to death. Our horse tested positive for Type 4, which is a mild form. It is possible that the horse is a carrier of the virus but does not develop the disease or only under certain circumstances. If a horse is a carrier, it can transmit the pathogen to another horse without developing the disease itself.

The herpes virus can be vaccinated against, but the vaccination protects all other horses and not the individual horse. This would mean that the entire horse population would have to be vaccinated every 6 months. Just like with COVID, the vaccines are out of stock and it takes six months for the vaccination to take effect. Once a horse is infected, it remains a carrier of EHV for life.

However, Type 4 is much less dangerous for breeding mares (abortions).

So what does this mean exactly? - Difficult to say. On one hand, most horses in the world are carriers of the herpes virus. Presumably, the horses here at the stud farm are as well. However, nobody knows for sure. Therefore, we do not want to bring Sarina's virus into the stud farm....

That is why we will now start working on Monday under strict hygiene measures: After contact with our horses, we must wash/disinfect ourselves, change clothes/shoes, and only then go to work on the stud farm. At least until we know more. It's a bit cumbersome, but okay.

Next week, the vet will take another blood sample from Sarina, as such a test can also be incorrect, and have it tested again. In parallel, we will consult various veterinarians on how to proceed. However, opinions on this also differ among them....

Other than that, we didn't do much today. I had school in the morning. It rained partially in the afternoon. Went shopping, went for a ride, crochet, cook, wash dishes, answer emails. 

All the animals are doing well. The horses are content. (Sarina is also healthy and fit, no fever or anything!)

The cats seem to have settled in as well. Mia only comes to get her food in the evening. Falk and Nala spend more time here in their separate 'room' (under the bed) chilling.

Tomorrow we will be doing our first wash. We are allowed to use the horse washing machine (12 kg). Let's see how it goes...