When news broke about the Equine Herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) outbreak connected to the World Champion Barrel Racing Finals in Texas, it sent a wave of concern through barns all across the country. Anytime a virus shows up in a high-traffic event, horse owners immediately start asking the same questions. How do I protect my horses. What needs to be cleaned. What disinfectant actually works. And how do I make sure my barn and trailer are safe before bringing horses home again.

That is exactly why we put this guide together. EHV-1 is serious, but it is also manageable when you understand how the virus spreads and how to break that chain of transmission. You do not need complicated routines. You need consistent routines, reliable products, and information you can trust.

EHV-1 is a contagious equine virus that moves quickly through shared environments. Horses can pick it up from:

• Direct contact with other horses
• Respiratory droplets
• Contaminated surfaces like stalls, gates, buckets, walls, and tack
• Trailers and shared equipment
• Shoes, clothing, and grooming tools that move from place to place

What makes the situation more challenging is that infected horses may shed the virus before showing any symptoms. That means good biosecurity needs to happen early and continue every day during an outbreak.

The good news is that EHV-1 is an enveloped virus, which the AHP protocol confirms is easier to inactivate when surfaces are properly cleaned and disinfected. Intervention™ is an AHP disinfectant, which is why it is such a strong option here.

Intervention™ Farm Animal Disinfectant is powered by Accelerated Hydrogen Peroxide. In your uploaded document, Intervention is listed with Equine Herpesvirus type 1 as a kill claim at a 1:64 dilution with a 5-minute contact time. It is also approved for use on the types of surfaces horse owners rely on every day: stalls, barn walls, feeders, gates, trailers, equipment, and more.

It is strong enough to meet the demands of barns and trailers, but safe enough to use around animals when applied correctly. When people feel overwhelmed in an outbreak, having one dependable product simplifies everything.

One of the biggest misconceptions about disinfection is that the disinfectant can work through dirt, manure, or heavy organic material. The AHP protocol makes it clear that pre-cleaning is essential. Dirt and debris block contact and prevent disinfectants from doing their job.

Take a few minutes to clear the space. Strip out bedding, remove manure, sweep walls and floors, and rinse off equipment. You do not need to make the barn sparkle. You just need to remove anything that could interfere with the disinfectant.

This step makes a significant difference in effectiveness and peace of mind.

For EHV-1 control, follow the dilution used in the kill-claim documentation:

1 ounce of Intervention per 1 gallon of water (1:64 dilution)

Contact time: 5 minutes

If you are dealing with heavy soil, you can use a stronger dilution, but 1:64 is the standard for equine herpesvirus and will handle most situations once the surface has been cleaned.

Cleaning stalls during an outbreak can feel overwhelming, but a simple routine makes it manageable.

Start by removing horses, bedding, buckets, feed tubs, and personal equipment. Once the stall is empty, take time to clear out all organic debris. A quick rinse or scrub can help release dust and residue so the disinfectant can reach the surface.

Apply Intervention generously. Use a sprayer, sponge, or foamer to coat the walls, floor, door, and any non-porous surfaces. The key is keeping everything visibly wet for the full 5 minutes. This is where Intervention does the work for you. Once the contact time is done, the surface can air dry.

When everything is dry, return only clean buckets, feeders, and tools. A consistent stall routine will go a long way in breaking the transmission cycle.

Trailers are often overlooked, yet they play a major role in spreading viruses. Horses breathe heavily in enclosed spaces, and those droplets settle on walls, mats, ramps, and dividers.

Begin by unloading horses and removing rubber mats if you can. Clear out manure and debris from all corners. Wash with a detergent or a pre-cleaning solution of Intervention, then rinse.

Spray Intervention across every interior surface. Walls, floors, dividers, the ramp, mats, and tie bars all need full coverage. Maintain that same 5-minute wet contact time. Ventilation helps everything dry faster afterward.

Doing this before and after hauling is one of the most protective habits you can build into your routine.

Transmission does not only happen in stalls or trailers. It can happen anywhere people move from one horse to another. Buckets, gate latches, broom handles, cross-ties, wheelbarrow grips, and grooming tools all matter.

Spray these items with Intervention, allow the 5-minute contact time, and let them air dry. If you use anything with porous surfaces, such as fabric or leather, keep those isolated and clean them with products labeled for those materials. For non-porous surfaces, Intervention is a safe and effective match.

There is no such thing as “too careful” during EHV-1 activity, but there is a helpful rhythm that keeps things realistic:

• Clean and disinfect stalls daily when horses return from high-traffic events
• Disinfect the trailer before hauling and again after arriving home
• Clean and disinfect shared equipment at least once a day
• Monitor horses for fever twice daily
• Isolate any horse showing early signs of illness
• Limit shared tools or assign dedicated equipment to each horse when possible

These steps build a culture of prevention that protects your horses and anyone who shares your barn.

Accelerated Hydrogen Peroxide offers a combination that barn owners appreciate. It is powerful enough to kill viruses like EHV-1, yet gentle enough that it does not leave harsh fumes or residues behind. The protocol confirms its effectiveness on a wide range of enveloped viruses, and the kill times are fast when the surface stays wet. In a fast-moving outbreak, that matters.

This is why many barns prefer AHP products. They clean well, disinfect well, and reduce the guesswork that often comes with other disinfectants.

When an outbreak hits the equine world, it brings a lot of emotions with it. Concern. Urgency. A real desire to do things the right way. The good news is that you are not without options. You have solid tools, clear steps, and a disinfectant that is truly built for moments like this. Clean surfaces, reliable disinfection, and consistent routines go a long way in protecting your horses and your barn.

And you are not doing this alone. If you have questions about Intervention, need help choosing the right dilution tools, or want guidance on other barn biosecurity products, our team is here for you. We understand how quickly things can change during an outbreak, and we are ready to support you every step of the way.

If you need help, call us anytime at 888-433-5275 or visit qcsupply.com.
We are here to help, every step of the way.