New EHV 1 Travel Rules Affect McKinley County Horse Owners

State authorities issued a directive on November 21, 2025 that imposes stricter paperwork and biosecurity requirements for horses moving into New Mexico from states with confirmed cases of equine herpesvirus 1, commonly referred to as EHV 1. The advisory, posted by Gallup Sun Publishing and issued alongside a statewide livestock board notice, aims to limit the risk of disease introduction and spread through regulated animal movements.

Under the directive, owners moving horses from affected states must obtain an interstate certificate of veterinary inspection, or ICVI, that is dated within five days of travel. The ICVI must record the horse's temperature and include a required 21 day non exposure statement attesting to the animal's recent health and contacts. Local officials also directed owners to follow any movement restrictions or quarantines imposed by county or state animal health authorities. Owners are urged to contact their veterinarian or the state animal health office for reporting and testing guidance. The advisory warns that failure to follow requirements can lead to regulatory enforcement.

For McKinley County the order raises immediate practical considerations. Many owners transport animals for competitions, sales, or veterinary care, and the new timing and documentation rules could disrupt planned movements. Veterinarians must adjust scheduling to perform pre travel checks within the five day window and to complete ICVI paperwork that includes the required temperature reading and 21 day non exposure statement. Equine events that draw participants from multiple states may face cancellations or stricter on site screening if local organizers decide to limit entry from affected regions.

Policy implications center on the balance between disease prevention and the economic and cultural practices tied to horse movement. The livestock board notice reflects a standard public animal health response, but enforcement raises questions about resources for inspection and monitoring at points of entry, and the capacity of local veterinary clinics to meet concentrated demand for ICVI examinations. For owners and businesses that rely on cross border transport, the directive increases transaction costs and administrative burdens, while potentially reducing the incidence of a costly EHV 1 outbreak.

Local officials recommend that owners review travel plans, coordinate early with their veterinarians, and stay informed about any additional county level movement restrictions or quarantines. Prompt compliance will reduce the chance of enforcement actions and will help protect the county equine population from a contagious and potentially serious virus.