EHV-1 has dominated online conversation in recent weeks—but not all the information circulating reflects the science. In this episode of Equine Innovators, we step back from the noise to focus on what researchers and clinicians know about how equine herpesvirus infects horses, how it spreads, why latency matters, and what drives the neurologic form of the disease.

Host Stephanie Church, editorial director at The Horse, speaks with Dr. Abby Sage, equine technical services veterinarian for Zoetis and a former state veterinary official, and Dr. Lutz Goehring, professor of equine infectious diseases at the University of Kentucky’s Gluck Equine Research Center. Sage and Goehring explain what testing can—and cannot—tell us during an outbreak, clarify common misconceptions, and outline how vaccination and biosecurity fit into a thoughtful response.

The conversation also looks ahead, exploring emerging diagnostic tools, vaccine research, and unanswered questions about viral reactivation and neurologic risk. Whether you’re a veterinarian or a horse owner navigating heightened concern, this episode offers grounded perspective and practical context.

In this episode, Dr. Lutz Goehring and Dr. Abby Sage discuss:

1. How EHV-1 spreads and why outbreaks occur regularly, even when they don’t make headlines
2. What differentiates respiratory infection from equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy
3. How veterinarians interpret PCR testing and where stall-side tools fit
4. What vaccination can realistically achieve, and what it cannot
5. Which biosecurity measures matter most at home and on the road
6. Where current research on EHV-1 is headed next

Tune in to hear how two equine veterinarians break down equine herpesvirus-1 transmission, testing, neurologic disease, and prevention.

GUESTS AND LINKS – EPISODE 24:

1. Host: Stephanie L. Church, editorial director at The Horse: Your Guide to Equine Health Care/TheHorse.com | @stephlchurch on Instagram | Email Stephanie (schurch@thehorse.com)
2. Links: (EHV-1 and other resources from TheHorse.com) Special Feature: Everything You Need To Know About EHV-1 | Discussion of the Valencia, Spain, EHV outbreak: EHV-1 in 2022 | Biosecurity Tips to Protect Your Horse
3. Links: (EHV-1 and other infectious disease information from the AAEP’s

Short Summary: Dr. Holly Helbig and Dr. David Levine describe how they use SAA and other biomarkers to spot infection early, guide treatment, support biosecurity, and monitor horses in real time.

Landing page copy: Acute phase proteins such as serum amyloid A (SAA) give veterinarians an early look at inflammation, infection, and how a horse responds to treatment. In this Equine Innovators episode, we dig into how SAA and other key biomarkers guide everyday decisions—from biosecurity on busy farms and showgrounds to managing postoperative cases, colic, and foal exams.

Host Stephanie Church, editorial director at The Horse, talks with Dr. Holly Helbig of Zoetis and Dr. David Levine from the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center about when they reach for SAA, how it compares with fibrinogen and white blood cell counts, and why serial testing often matters more than any single number. They share stall-side and hospital protocols, real-world case examples, and ways biomarker trends support smarter antimicrobial use and quarantine decisions.

In this episode, Drs. Helbig and Levine discuss:

• What acute phase proteins are and how SAA reflects early inflammation in horses
• How fast SAA and fibrinogen rise and fall, and how that timing shapes testing plans
• When stallside SAA testing shines in ambulatory practice, at horse shows, and on the farm
• Using SAA to help sort out joint flares vs. septic joints and guide post-surgical monitoring
• Practical cutoffs and patterns for foals, including how vaccination and IV plasma affect SAA
• Where SAA fits into antimicrobial stewardship and cost-conscious biosecurity strategies
• Emerging research and what might come next for biomarkers in equine practice

Tune in to hear how two equine veterinarians lean on SAA and other biomarkers to clarify tough calls, support horse owners, and keep diagnostics and treatments on the right track.

GUESTS AND LINKS – EPISODE 23:

• Host: Stephanie L. Church, editorial director at The Horse: Your Guide to Equine Health Care/TheHorse.com | @stephlchurch on Instagram | Email Stephanie (schurch@thehorse.com)
• Links: (SAA and other Biomarker resources from TheHorse.com) SAA: A Magic 8 Ball for Detecting Infection in Horses?, SAA: Infection Detection in Horses (Infographic), SAA Measurements Can Help Detect Surgical Implant Infection, Advances in Equine Infectious Disease Detection
• Guest: Holly Helbig, DVM, joined Zoetis in 2023 as an equine technical services veterinarian. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a focus in lameness and sport horse medicine. Helbig was the official veterinarian for The World Equestrian Center Ohio; The Kentucky Horse Shows series; and various FEI competitions for 10 years prior to joining Zoetis. She also had an ambulatory practice serving patients...

For decades, horse owners followed routine rotational deworming schedules. That approach fueled drug resistance in equine parasites, leaving fewer effective options today. Smarter management now relies on testing, timing, and targeted treatment.

In this episode of Equine Innovators Dr. Martin Nielsen, professor of equine clinical sciences at Aarhus University, in Denmark, shares insights from decades of research that shaped modern parasite control. He explains why elimination of equine internal parasites is not possible, what mistakes owners still make, and how veterinarians and farm managers can adapt their programs.

From tapeworms in adult horses to ascarids in foals, Nielsen outlines today’s biggest concerns and the evidence-based strategies that help preserve drug efficacy for the future. He also previews emerging diagnostic tools that could transform parasite management in the years ahead.

Tune in to learn how science-driven parasite control protects horses’ health and keeps deworming drugs effective for the next generation

GUESTS AND LINKS – EPISODE 22:

• Host: Stephanie L. Church, editorial director at The Horse: Your Guide to Equine Health Care/TheHorse.com | @stephlchurch on Instagram | Email Stephanie (schurch@thehorse.com)
• Links: (Parasite control resources from TheHorse.com) Worms, Bugs, and Your Horse: 21st Century Parasite Control, Parasite Control for Young Horses, Parasite Control FAQs, Fecal Egg Count Cheat Sheet, AAEP Parasite Control Guidelines
• Guest: Martin Nielsen, DVM, PhD, DVSc, Dipl. ACVM, Dipl. EVPC, was the Schlaikjer Professor in Equine Infectious Disease at the M.H. Gluck Equine Research Center at the University of Kentucky until 2024. In late 2024 he started working as professor of equine clinical sciences at Aarhus University, in Denmark. Follow Dr. Nielson on X (@MartinKNielsen) | Martin K. Nielsen Equine Parasitology on YouTube
• Link: Register for free newsletters from TheHorse.com
• Please visit our sponsor, who makes this podcast possible: Zoetis Equine | @ZoetisEquine on Instagram and