The Atlantic Standardbred Breeders Association (ASBA), in consultation with the Maritime Provinces Harness Racing Commission (MPHRC) and its Bio Security Committee, has postponed the Atlantic Sires Stakes three-year-old pacing colts event, which was slated for Sunday, May 26 at Inverness Raceway.

This event will be re-scheduled at a later date.

In addition, the MPHRC has postponed the remainder of the afternoon race card scheduled for Inverness on Sunday, as well as the race card scheduled for Northside Downs on Saturday, May 25.

Northside Downs will now be racing on November 2 with a first-race post time of 1:00 p.m. to make up for the cancellation of the May 25 card.

The decision to postpone these events is based upon concerns that a horse raced at Northside Downs on May 20 had previously been stabled at the Campbellville Training Centre in Ontario. Although this horse has not exhibited any signs of the Equine Herpes Virus-1 (EHV-1), this horse will undergo testing to confirm it is not carrying the virus.

Outbreaks of neurological EHV-1 are contagious and have a significant risk of mortality. ANYTHING that touches an infected horse or carries secretions or manure from sick horses has the potential to transfer pathogens to other horses.

EHV-1 is a viral infection which can cause respiratory disease, abortion, death in newborn foals, and neurological form of herpes.

Prevention Tips

1. Isolate affected or exposed horses, but don't move from farm.
2. Isolate new horses for minimum two weeks.
3. Horses can carry EHV-1 virus for life and can become contagious if stressed (i.e. strenuous exercise or transport).
4. A healthy horse can spread the virus.
5. Virus is spread by direct horse-to-horse contact through nasal secretions and it can also spread through contact with contaminated tack and equipment.

Care Should Include:

• Horses suspected to be actively shedding virus should be examined by a vet.
• Infected and exposed horses should be isolated immediately.
• Discuss vaccination plan with your vet (often particularly important for broodmares).
• Check for fever. It is one of the most consistent clinical signs, and commonly precedes the development of other clinical signs.

(MPHRC & ASBA)