Corrales Cancels Equestrian Parade, Citing Equine Herpes Outbreak

The Corrales Equestrian Advisory Committee voted Thursday to cancel Sunday’s Christmas de los Caballos parade after veterinarians advised horse owners to keep animals at home because of an equine herpes virus outbreak in New Mexico. The all equestrian holiday parade had been scheduled for November 23 to kick off the Corrales Fire Department’s Annual Holiday Drive. The decision was announced in a statement and explained as a precaution to prevent spread to Corrales, a community long known as the Horse Capital of New Mexico.

“We are facing an equine herpes virus outbreak and many horse owners don’t want to possibly expose their animals,” CEAC officials said in a statement. “It is a dangerous, highly contagious illness.”

While no local cases have been reported in Corrales, the virus has been diagnosed in southern New Mexico, prompting heightened caution among local organizers and veterinarians. Equestrian herpesvirus is a respiratory disease that can cause fever and nasal discharge, and in severe cases it can result in neurological complications for horses. The virus spreads through direct contact between horses and through contaminated equipment, which informed the committee’s recommendation to limit public equine gatherings.

The cancellation has immediate local effects. The parade served both as a community celebration and as the public kickoff for a holiday drive that raises funds and recruits volunteers for the Corrales Fire Department. Organizers now must reconfigure outreach for the drive without the parade’s foot traffic and visibility, and equestrian businesses that rely on seasonal events face lost opportunities for sales and services.

Looking beyond the immediate disruption, the committee’s move reflects a risk management approach favored by veterinarians and public health advisers during contagious animal disease events. Keeping horses stabled, restricting cross farm equipment sharing, and following veterinary guidance can reduce transmission risk and protect the broader equine economy in Sandoval County. Residents and horse owners should monitor updates from CEAC and local veterinary authorities as officials track the outbreak and consider when public equine events can safely resume. The original report was published November 21, 2025 in the Corrales Comment.