Horse owners concerned following first West Nile case this year

Our first case of equine West Nile this year has some concerned that the virus could spread to southern Colorado.

Veterinarians at Colorado State University diagnosed a horse in Weld County with the virus.

Now, ranchers are taking steps to protect their own horses.

“We try to take care of our horses… they mean a lot to us,” Clint Corey said.

The threat of West Nile is always on his mind.

“Anytime there’s a confirmed case anywhere, when you come to a roping event such as this, there’s horses from all over Colorado here,” Corey said. “You’re always concerned.”

Because Corey travels around the country with his horses, he’s been around a few West Nile cases.

“Going to a lot of rodeos, different places; Cheyenne for instance last year had some cases of it,” Corey said.

Corey says at large events such as rodeos and horse shows, owners never know what their horses can catch.

“A lot of different kinds of diseases spread through the air and through flies and mosquitoes,” Corey said. “We really try to prepare every year, at least in the spring and fall, for anything that could happen.”

Experts say to take simple precautions like not sharing water buckets with other horses and emptying buckets out regularly. Spraying fly spray with mosquito repellent on horses and making sure vaccinations are up to date are among ways owners can protect their horses.

“You just watch your horses, watch for runny nose, a cough, anything like that,” Corey said. “If they’re a little lethargic, just keeping on top of it is the main thing for us.”

Jed Pugsley works with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. He says they focus on bio-security so it doesn’t spread past the animals.

“One reason that West Nile is high risk is because it can be transferred to people as well,” Pugsley said.

Helping stop the spread comes down to each owner taking responsibility.

“Make sure when you bring them in, your horses are only healthy, you don’t co-mingle with other people’s horses,” Pugsley said.

Experts tell us vaccinations are the best way to stop horses from contracting the virus, as there is no specific treatment.