Pro Rodeo Postponed Due to Nationwide Equine Herpesvirus Outbreak

HERNANDO, Miss. — The DeSoto County Pro Rodeo, originally scheduled for this weekend, has been postponed until Dec. 12 and 13 in response to an ongoing nationwide outbreak of Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1).

The DeSoto County Board of Supervisors announced the decision, made in consultation with Patriot Pro Rodeo and the Southeastern Professional Rodeo Association, noting the postponement is a precautionary measure to safeguard competing horses and ensure the health of all participants.

The Threat of Equine Herpesvirus (EHV)

The Equine Herpesvirus family is highly contagious among horses. While many horses are lifelong carriers of the virus without symptoms, an active infection can cause serious illness. EHV-1 is the most significant strain, as it can manifest in three major ways:

1. Respiratory Disease (Rhinopneumonitis), characterized by fever and nasal discharge.
2. Abortion in pregnant mares.
3. Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM), a severe neurological form that attacks the central nervous system and can be fatal.

The virus is easily spread through horse-to-horse contact via respiratory secretions, contaminated equipment, and can establish a dormant (latent) infection that reactivates under stress.

Safety First for DeSoto County

While the DeSoto County Agri-Education Center has not been affected by the current outbreak, the Board of Supervisors stated the decision to postpone was made “out of an abundance of caution.”

“The safety of the animals, their riders, and all participants remains our highest priority,” the board’s official statement read.

Logistics and New Dates

The rescheduled dates for the DeSoto County Pro Rodeo are Dec. 12 and 13. All tickets purchased for the originally scheduled weekend will be honored on the new dates. Patrons and competitors are asked to hold onto their existing tickets.