More EHV-1 & EHM?

I was going to blog about the EHV-1 virus today, but then I realized everyone has read everything about it that they want to already.  So I decided to blog about something else.  ... chirp.  chirp.  chirp.  (That's the sound of crickets chirping in the silence.)

But then I couldn't think of anything else to blog about which left me with a blank page.

So I started wasting time by pretending that I was blogging by looking through the Google searches that bring people to this blog and website.  EVERY SINGLE Google search aimed at this site was about EHV-1 in Bakersfield.

So I am back to blogging about EHV-1 and EHM.  I wish I had something new to add.  I think by now everyone knows that it can be a fatal disease.  Most people know that it is transmitted primarily by horse to horse contact, but it can also be passed from horse to horse by sharing brushes, feed buckets, grooming tools, farrier tools, and other implements.  It can also be passed from your hands or clothes.  

Most everyone is also aware that a fever is one of the first symptoms followed by loss of coordination, urine dribbling, loss of tail tone, hind limb weakness, leaning against something for support, and an inability to rise.  If you see any of these things, you should probably be worried, and get your horse isolated as soon as possible.

Most people are probably most concerned with just how long this thing is going to last.  I'll admit it.  It's rather inconvenient. This is the start of the show season.  People are gathering points and qualifying scores for championships later this fall.  The weather finally cleared up (well almost) and trail riding is well under way.  Babies are being born right and left and breeders want to show them off.  This is really inconvenient.

Okay ... I know.  Not very politically correct, but I know it's what many people are thinking.  Bizarrely - is this even a word? - it is actually VERY convenient for me.  WHAT?  Again, I know.  Not very politically correct, or even sensitive.  But here are the facts:

• Remember the pulled shoe on Saturday?  Apparently it HURT when it came off.  Speedy G tested VERY positive with the hoof testers on Sunday.  He also tweaked his shoulder(?) and who knows what else.  Although better, he's still definitely off when he circles to the left.  He was grade three lame (is this an endurance term, or is it used universally?) at the walk on Sunday.  Today, he was sound at the walk and grade 1 at the trot on the straight and to the right.  No riding for me right now ...
• I am a teacher.  I am currently living in hell.  There is no word to adequately express just how busy I am right now.  No time for anything else right now ...
• Have I mentioned that I am leaving the country in eighteen days?  Have I even begun to pack?  Does buying mini toothpaste and shampoo on Sunday count?  No? Then I have not yet begun to pack.  I may be following hubby's packing protocol: pack the night before and buy what you forget.  Don't worry, we're coming back!

And so ... what do you mean I can't take my horse off the property?  Thank goodness!