The City of Guthrie has temporarily closed the Liberty Lake trails to equestrian use as a precaution following confirmed EHV/EHM cases reported in Oklahoma.
City officials say the closure is strictly preventive and will remain in place while they continue monitoring guidance from the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture. The trails will reopen to horses once state officials determine it is safe to do so.
According to the Department of Agriculture, two confirmed cases of EHM, the neurologic form of EHV-1, were reported on November 19 in horses that had been at the WPRA event at the Lazy E Arena.
The virus spreads through horse-to-horse contact, shared equipment, contaminated trailers, airborne droplets from coughing or snorting, and even through people who handle exposed animals. State guidance recommends exposed horses be isolated at least 30 feet from all others and remain on their home premises for 14 days without symptoms before they are cleared. Unexposed horses may still travel, though officials recommend limiting movement unless necessary.
Concerns related to EHV-1 have also affected the BFA Select Barrel Horse Sale, where a positive case was identified among competition horses at the associated event. Sale organizers and Lazy E staff have been working with state veterinarians to follow proper protocols and praised the rapid response of both the BFA Board and Lazy E Management.
Few sale horses had arrived on site, and none were stalled near the competition horses. Officials say they do not believe sale horses were placed at risk, and they are working to establish an alternative platform to proceed safely. Updates from sale management will continue as the situation develops.
The City of Guthrie encourages anyone with questions or seeking updated case information to visit the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture’s website.
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