Woodbine: Training restrictions lifted following case of equine herpesvirus

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The Ontario Racing Commission has lifted training restrictions placed on Barn 10 at Woodbine after a single case of equine herpesvirus, or EHV-1, was reported in a 5-year-old filly stabled there March 13.

Horses in Barn 10 are now free to train during regular training hours. The racing commission had limited training for those horses to the end of regular training hours since March 18. Ponies in Barn 10 will still only be allowed to pony horses in Barn 10, however.

The racing commission still is requiring that horses’ temperatures be taken twice daily and that they be monitored closely for clinical signs consistent with EHV-1. Those measures likely will be in place until at least April 10.

“The infectious and serious nature of this disease prompted these measures and reinforced the need to protect Ontario’s equine athletes,” said Dr. Adam Chambers, the ORC’s manager of veterinary services, in a notice to horsepeople.

The filly had shown neurological signs of EHV-1 on March 13 and was placed in isolation after being removed from Woodbine on March 15. She previously was listed in stable condition, but an update on her condition was not provided Thursday.