The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) has clarified its approach to new emergency rules designed to reduce the risk of Equine Herpesvirus (EHV) spreading at equine exhibitions. The agency responded to several common questions from event organizers and the public, addressing concerns about the scope and requirements of these temporary measures.
Despite rumors, the ODA stated it is not cancelling any equine events. “No. The ODA is not cancelling any equine events. The intent of the emergency rules is to provide our office with a record of the event and ensure exhibitor information is being collected by the event organizers. This is being done so that in the event of an outbreak we can perform necessary tracebacks to help minimize the spread of EHV. Taking these actions early, before an outbreak occurs in Oregon will allow ODA to rapidly trace any exposure that may occur, while minimizing the impact on the equine industry as a whole.”
Registration for upcoming events remains mandatory, even if they are scheduled within 20 days. According to ODA: “If your event is less than 20 days, submit your registration right away. As long as you can complete the registration and meet all of the regulations, the event can still be held if you choose.”
Practices, trainings, open rides, and trail rides do not require registration because they do not meet ODA’s definition of an exhibition. The agency defines an exhibition as an event where livestock from two or more persons are brought together for judging, competition, performance or display.
Regarding health precautions at exhibitions, each organizer must have a designated isolation area for horses suspected of illness. If there are no stalls or corrals available, isolating a horse in its own trailer away from others is acceptable, provided that a veterinarian is contacted.
A veterinarian does not need to be present on site during events but must be consulted during planning and agree to be on call throughout each day of the exhibition.
Event organizers are required to keep documentation for 90 days after an exhibition ends but are not obligated to follow up with owners or submit records unless requested by ODA due to a potential EHV case.
The duration of these emergency rules—up to six months—is based on Oregon’s standard timeline for such orders: “In Oregon, emergency orders are filed as emergency temporary rules, which are limited to a maximum of 6 months duration. This does not necessarily mean it will last that long, but 6 months is a predetermined duration of those rules. If the need for the rules ends before the 6 month timeline, they will be repealed at that time.”
As of noon on November 24, 2025, there were no confirmed cases of EHV in Oregon: “While we recognize that information is changing fast and sometimes it can be hard to tell what is a rumor and what is fact, as of 12:00PM on November 24, 2025 there are currently no confirmed cases of EHV in the state of Oregon. If any cases of EHV are confirmed in Oregon they will be promptly announced, posted to the ODA Equine Herpesvirus (EHV) information webpage (see link below), and shared with the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC).”
Further details about EHV and current mitigation rules can be found on dedicated pages maintained by the Oregon Department of Agriculture.
