TRUTH VS FACTS
Tuesday, November 25, 2025

Here is a great resource that tracks equine outbreaks. We invite you to check it out:

https://www.equinediseasecc.org/news/article/Equine-Herpesvirus-Myeloencephalopathy-(EHM)-Outbreak

It shows there are around 30 horses currently identified with EHM. It feels good to finally have some facts after a week of hysteria and false information pushed out online. Reports circulating of 25+ equine deaths with at least 200 exposed are inaccurate.

REALLY, WHAT IS GOING ON WITH EHM?

See the article below in THE HORSE. This question-and-answer piece provides insight from Ben Buchanan, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, ACVECC, of Brazos Valley Equine Hospitals in Navasota, Texas, on EHM.

https://thehorse.com/1141103/faq-about-the-november-2025-ehv-outbreak/

Rancho Rio will continue to rely on the Arizona State Veterinarian’s requirements, which are:

Interstate Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (ICVI), which would normally be valid for 30 days, will now only be valid for 5 days if the origin state has had an EHM / Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) detection in the previous 30 days.

If you have stall reservations at Rancho Rio you will be required to show your 5-day health at check-in prior to your stalls being unlocked, regardless of where you are traveling from.

HOW TO GET A NEW HEALTH CERTIFICATE TO NEVADA

Dr. Ellis of Performance Equine Specialists LLC, and crew will be onsite at Rancho Rio to issue new health certificates to Nevada, which will be required to enter the South Point. Dr. Ellis is set up south of the Kimes Ranch Arena (2nd arena) and will be available throughout Vegas Week. Please call or text 406-599-9423 to set up appointments. A veterinarian will also be set up at the Buckeye Equestrian Center to issue current health certificates.

Here are helpful links for additional travel information:

Arizona equine travel regulations can be found here:
https://agriculture.az.gov/
https://agriculture.az.gov/…/Letterhead%20Color-NEW…

Nevada equine travel regulations can be found here:
https://agri.nv.gov/Animals/Animal_Disease/Import_Requirements/

WHEN WILL THE ROPINGS START?

Ropings will start Friday, November 28th at Rancho Rio with the NTR Black Friday Truck Roping, and at Dynamite Arena with the regular Legends Fridays. The Legends High Rollers at the Wickenburg Rodeo Grounds start Tuesday, December 2nd.

WHAT IF I’M NOT COMFORTABLE COMING?

Please stay home. If you don’t feel safe, please stay home. We understand there is risk in life, and we in no way want to force it on others. Even today, five years after the outbreak of COVID, seeing people with masks on while driving in their cars is not totally uncommon. People’s decisions are their own, and we respect that — but please also respect others’ decisions as well.