Equine Innovators

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 ([email protected])
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 Equine Disease Communication Center) Latest EHV Alerts | Horse Owner Webinar EHV-1 Updates
4. Guest: Dr. Lutz Goehring | Lutz Goehring, DVM, MS, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, graduated as DVM from Utrecht University, in the Netherlands. He is a board-certified specialist in veterinary internal medicine (large animal) of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) and of the European College (ECEIM) of Equine Internal Medicine. Goehring is the Warren Wright Sr.-Lucille Wright Markey Endowed Chair in Equine Infectious Diseases at the University of Kentucky’s Gluck Equine Research Center, in Lexington. His Lutz Goehring Research Group focuses on equine herpesvirus type 1 and its interaction with its exclusive host, the horse.
5. Guest: Dr. Abby Sage | Abby Sage, VMD, MS, Dipl. ACVIM, earned her veterinary degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) and is board-certified in large animal internal medicine. Sage was on faculty in the section of sports medicine at Penn Vet’s New Bolton Center, in Kennett Square, and then at the University of Minnesota, in St. Paul, where she served as the head of the large animal internal medicine section. She spent 10 years in private practice as an internal medicine specialist at Blue Ridge Equine Clinic, in Earlysville, Virginia, before she joined the Virginia State Veterinary Office, in Richmond, where she ran the equine programs. In 2023 she joined Zoetis as an equine technical services veterinarian. Sage has authored numerous scientific papers on equine internal medicine, ultrasound, and cardiology.
6. Link: Register for free newsletters from TheHorse.com

Please visit our sponsor, who makes this podcast possible: Zoetis Equine | @ZoetisEquine on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

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 ([email protected])
• 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 around her hometown of Columbus, Ohio, and into parts of Michigan and Kentucky. Helbig is an avid rider and competes professionally at hunter/jumper shows in her free time. She lives at home with her wheaten terrier, Bad Boy Brady.
• Guest: David Levine, DVM, Dipl. ACVS (large animal), ACVSMR (equine), is an associate professor of large animal surgery at New Bolton Center, the large animal hospital of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. Levine has been at New Bolton Center since 2004 and serves as the program director for the large animal surgery residency, as well as a member of the Board of Regents for the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. His research interests include diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of orthopedic infections as well as equine skin tumors.
• Link: Follow New Bolton Center as @newboltoncenter on Instagram and Facebook
• Link: Register for free newsletters from TheHorse.com
• Please visit our sponsor, who makes this podcast possible: Zoetis Equine | @ZoetisEquine on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube | Stablelab SAA product page | Free Online CE: Stablelab Academy | Stablelab studies on ZoetisUS.com: Assessment of Serum Amyloid A Testing in Horses and Its Clinical Application in a Specialized Equine Practice | Evaluation of White Blood Cell, Fibrinogen, Serum Amyloid A and Ultrasonographic Grade to Refine an R. equi Screening Program | Comparison of Serum Amyloid A in Horses With Infectious and Noninfectious Respiratory Diseases | Serum and Synovial Fluid Serum Amyloid A Response in Equine Models for Synovitis and Septic Arthritis

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 ([email protected])
• 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 Facebook

In this episode of Equine Innovators, host Stephanie Church talks with Dr. Lori Bidwell—board-certified veterinary anesthesiologist and co-founder of East West Equine Sports Medicine—about how veterinarians use sedation to keep horses and handlers safe during procedures. Bidwell explains the difference between sedation and general anesthesia, offers examples of standing surgeries that once required full anesthesia, and shares how Dormosedan Gel has changed how owners manage stressful situations such as clipping or fireworks. She also offers practical tips on safety, storage, and monitoring, and describes recent innovations and where sedation practices are headed in the years to come.

GUESTS AND LINKS – EPISODE 21:

• Host: Stephanie L. Church, editorial director at The Horse: Your Guide to Equine Health Care/TheHorse.com | @stephlchurch on Instagram | Email Stephanie ([email protected])
• Links: (Stories on sedation from TheHorse.com) Sedation for Standing Procedures | Open Up and Say Zzz: Why Horse Dental Exams Require Sedation | Horse Sedation with an Oral Gel (AAEP 2010–when The Horse reported the presented research on Dormosedan)
• Guest: Lori Bidwell, DVM, Dipl. ACVA, co-founder of East West Equine Sports Medicine | Facebook (@EastWestEquineVet) | Instagram (@EastWestEquineSportsMedicine)
• Link: Register for free newsletters from TheHorse.com
• Please visit our sponsor, who makes this podcast possible: Zoetis Equine | @zoetisequine on Instagram and Facebook

Dr. Sally DeNotta, a clinical associate professor in large animal clinical sciences at the University of Florida, describes West Nile virus in horses, explaining how the disease spreads, what signs to watch for, and why vaccination remains the most effective prevention tool. She also highlights how climate, mosquito control, and One Health surveillance efforts influence risk—and why even experienced horse owners must stay vigilant year after year.

Short summary: Horses still face the threat of West Nile virus. Dr. Sally DeNotta shares how it spreads, what signs to watch for, and why vaccination and mosquito control matter every year.

GUESTS AND LINKS – EPISODE 20:

• Host: Stephanie L. Church, editorial director at The Horse: Your Guide to Equine Health Care/TheHorse.com | @stephlchurch on Instagram
• Link: West Nile Virus in U.S. Horses (interactive feature)
• Link: Core Vaccination: Protecting Horses From 5 Deadly Diseases
• Link: Older Horses and Stallions at Increased WNV Risk
• Link: Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC)
• Link: Disease Alerts on TheHorse.com
• Link: Register for free newsletters from TheHorse.com
• Guest: Sally De Notta, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, clinical associate professor in large animal clinical sciences at the University of Florida, in Gainesville. | Facebook | X | Instagram
• Please visit our sponsor, who makes this podcast possible: Zoetis Equine | @zoetisequine on Instagram and Facebook

Connect With the Host: Stephanie Church, [email protected]

Dr. Kara Brown, assistant professor of equine sports medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center, describes osteoarthritis in horses, its causes, traditional treatments, and regenerative therapies such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP), stem cells, and autologous protein solution devices. She highlights recent research on these approaches, their benefits over corticosteroids, and the importance of early detection and advanced imaging in managing joint health.

GUESTS AND LINKS – EPISODE 19:

• Host: Stephanie L. Church, editorial director at The Horse: Your Guide to Equine Health Care/TheHorse.com | @stephlchurch on Instagram
• Links: Stories on orthobiologics from TheHorse.com: The State of Equine Orthobiologics, Infographic: Orthobiologic Options for Treating Horses, Research-Based Advances in Equine Orthopedic Therapies
• Guest: Kara Brown, VMD, Dipl. ACVSMR, Assistant Professor of equine sports medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Pennsylvania, New Bolton Center  | @newboltoncenter on Instagram and Facebook
• Please visit our sponsor, who makes this podcast possible: Zoetis Equine | @zoetisequine on Instagram and Facebook
• Research News Releases: Research From the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center Informs the Use of NSAIDs Alongside Regenerative Medicine Devices, Pro-Stride APS Device Shown to Offer Protection Against Synovitis in Horses , New Research Provides Clarity Around the Treatment of Equine Osteoarthritis

Connect With the Host: Stephanie Church, [email protected]

Dr. Uneeda Bryant describes how veterinary pathologists safeguard horse populations, determine causes of death, and protect the human-animal bond.

This podcast series is brought to you by Zoetis.

About the Researcher: Uneeda Bryant, DVM, is a tenured associate professor of veterinary pathology at the University of Kentucky’s Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, in Lexington. She earned her veterinary degree from Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine, in Alabama. In addition to her responsibilities as a pathologist and teaching role as adjunct faculty for Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Bryant works regularly to educate the public about this nontraditional veterinary medicine career path.

Show Notes:

• Veterinary Pathologist Recognized on Kentucky Senate Floor
• Equine Tyzzer’s Disease
• An Update on Rotavirus in Foals
• UKVDL Goes Mobile to Educate Kentuckians
• The University of Kentucky’s Veterinary Diagnostic Lab
• Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome

Equine herpesvirus-1 can infect horses and cause mild respiratory disease, abortion in mares, and severe neurologic deficits. Dr. Lutz Goehring, the World Organization of Animal Health’s Reference Laboratory expert on equine rhinopneumonitis, weighs in on what researchers have learned about EHV-1, how it spreads, and how to prevent infection.

This podcast series is brought to you by Zoetis.

About the Researcher: Lutz Goehring, DVM, MS, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, is the Warren Wright, Sr.-Lucille Wright Markey Endowed Chair in Equine Infectious Diseases at the University of Kentucky’s (UK) Gluck Equine Research Center, in Lexington. He has an extensive background in research, scholarly journals, refereed book chapters, advising, mentoring, and service. Goehring is a specialist in equine internal medicine and a member of the European College of Equine Internal Medicine, and his research expertise has been equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV1).

As horse owners, we might not think about how research in humans can help horses, and vice versa. Carrie Shaffer, PhD, of the University of Kentucky ’s (UK) Department of Veterinary Sciences and the Gluck Equine Research Center, is working at the interface of human and equine medicine, creating tiny models of horses’ body systems to better understand how we can prevent and fight equine disease, and help body processes such as wound repair and tissue healing.

This podcast series is brought to you by Zoetis.

About the Expert: Carrie L. Shaffer, PhD, is an assistant professor in the University of Kentucky’s (UK) Department of Veterinary Sciences and the Gluck Equine Research Center. She holds joint faculty appointments in the UK College of Medicine (Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics) and the UK College of Pharmacy (Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences). Shaffer is a graduate of the UK College of Agriculture (BSc) and Vanderbilt University (PhD), and she completed National-Institutes-of-Health-funded postdoctoral fellowships at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the California Institute of Technology. An expert in host-pathogen interactions and microbial pathogenesis, her research interests include understanding mechanisms underlying equine infectious disease using novel in vitro biomimetic models. One major focus of the Shaffer Lab is developing an innovative “horse-on-a-chip” microfluidic platform and diverse equine organoid model systems to enable investigations that address fundamental questions in equine infectious disease, therapeutic and vaccine development, allergic and immune-modulated conditions, tissue remodeling in response to injury, developmental and reproductive biology, and the identification of genetic factors that determine disease outcome in the horse.

As horse owners, we have our rhythms and routines around the barn. But why do we do farm chores the way we do them, and could we—and our horses—benefit from changing our approaches? Steve Higgins, PhD, the director of Animal and Environmental Compliance for the University of Kentucky’s (UK) Agricultural Experiment Station, in Lexington, describes ways horse farm owners and managers can optimize daily horse farm tasks for efficiency, cost-savings, and environmental soundness.

This podcast series is brought to you by Zoetis. 

Show notes:

• Using Drylots to Conserve Pastures and Reduce Pollution Potential
• Using Soil-Cement on Horse and Livestock Farms
• Economics of Round Bale Feeders Examined
• Hay Feeder Height Affects Neck, Back, and Jaw Postures
• Group or Individual Horse Housing: Which is Less Stressful?
• Does Your Horse Need Rest? Give Him More Bedded Space.
• Winter Can Mean Poor Footing for Horses

About the Expert: Steve Higgins, PhD, is the director of Animal and Environmental Compliance for the University of Kentucky’s (UK) Agricultural Experiment Station, in Lexington. During his time at UK, Higgins has helped establish the university’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environment as a leader in animal welfare and environmental stewardship and has cultivated a new way of thinking for managing UK’s Experiment Station farms. Through his extension publications, presentations, and demonstrations throughout the state, Higgins shares his unique perspective and working knowledge of water quality, farm efficiency, and resource management issues with Kentucky landowners and farm managers.