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[RC] EHV-1 and Gator Run - Enduroride

I am the ride manager of Gator Run. I will try and answer Teresa's concerns. The camp is small so space between campsites are tight. There is a lot of water on the trail, we will have toughs out for all horses to drink from but any one can take their own out with their own names on their buckets, we will tell riders not to drink from buckets with names on them. I have called the farm that is quarantined down in Jupiter Farms and talked to the owner. He told me the horse that is sick has tested negative for EHV-1 but they are doing more testing and feel he probably has the virus. The horse has never been on the trails around their house, the horses he has been exposed to at his farm has never been on the trails. He doesn't feel any of the exposed horses have been in contact with any horses around their area other than on their own farm. I also attended a meeting in Ocala. I have been told by the state vets that they feel they have the virus contained here in Florida. The Polo and jumping areas will be open for business in the next week and that is where the virus has been, if they feel safe to open there, we should feel even safer here. I have asked people coming for the areas that have had the virus, to take temps before loading in the trailer and to have current vaccinations and health papers with-in 3 days of the ride. I have talked with many vets in the infected areas over the past 3 weeks and they feel very comfortable with the precautions the state has taken to keep the virus under control. There has been no new cases since Dec.24.
Otis Schmitt, DVM and Becky have been down here from Tennessee with their two horses riding all week, they felt comfortable in bringing their horses.The camp has about 14 trailers in it tonight already, most of them are from the NE region and had a long drive. All called and checked on the virus situation before coming and felt safe in their discussion. There are no guarantees anytime we travel with horses but at least here in Florida the state will take action in containing a disease as quickly as possibly and put quarantines in place. Some states can not do this.
  You should do what you and you vet feel comfortable with. I hope we see you at the ride but if not will send you and anyone else who doesn't come a complete refund. I have canceled rides on more than one occasion when I have felt there are unsafe conditions and I would not hesitate to do it this time if I felt it was putting horses lives in jeopardy Connie