Val Verde County Bars New Horses at Fairgrounds After Outbreak

On November 20, 2025 Val Verde County officials announced a restriction on new equine entries at events held on the Val Verde County Fairgrounds in response to a recent Equine Herpesvirus outbreak. The statement was posted by Val Verde County Precinct 1 Commissioner Kerr Wardlaw and reported by The 830 Times. County leaders said the measure is part of public animal health precautions intended to protect local horses and to minimize further spread.

The posting directed residents and event organizers to suspend introductions of any new horses into fairgrounds events until the outbreak status changes. Existing exhibitors were advised that guidance would be provided to address their responsibilities and next steps, and county officials said they will update the community if local conditions evolve. The statement framed the restriction as a targeted step to preserve equine health while allowing fairgrounds operations to continue under stricter controls.

Equine Herpesvirus can present as respiratory illness and can cause more severe outcomes in some animals, including neurological disease and pregnancy loss. That combination of contagiousness and potential severity has prompted livestock and public animal health authorities nationwide to advocate rapid containment and enhanced biosecurity when outbreaks occur. For Val Verde County owners and trainers these risks mean that routine events such as shows, clinics, and other gatherings that bring animals from multiple locations pose particular concern.

Local impacts are practical and immediate. Event organizers who planned to bring in new horses must adjust rosters, and trainers and owners will need to make alternate arrangements for animals that were scheduled to travel. Veterinarians in the region are positioned to advise on testing, isolation and vaccination options where appropriate. Agricultural businesses that support equine events may see scheduling changes and temporary reductions in traffic to the fairgrounds while the restriction is in place.

County officials signaled that this is a precautionary measure and indicated they will communicate updates should surveillance or testing indicate the outbreak has been contained. In the meantime residents with horses and those who attend or run equine events are advised to follow guidance from local veterinarians and county animal health authorities, to avoid introducing new animals to fairgrounds events, and to monitor official county communications for further instructions.

Val Verde County leaders emphasized that the decision balances the desire to continue community activities with the need to protect animal health and the broader equine community until the outbreak is resolved.