ALACHUA COUNTY FL:

     There are more consequences to that outbreak of the equine herpes virus that was centered on a horse show in Ocala.

     Now with the risk of spreading the virus... other horse shows are shutting down.

     Seven horses that have been infected with the virus-- also called EHV-1-- since the out break at the "horses in the sun" show last week.  

     The 4-H horse show was supposed to happen this weekend at the Canterbury showplace.

     With the EHV-1 being so contagious its been cancelled.

     But not everyone is upset.

     4-H Participant, Mackenzie Douglas just, "love horses and I love Tulip"

     Love between rider and horse is a bond not easily broken.

     Thirteen-year old Mackenzie Douglas's horse tulip is more than just an animal to her. She's a friend.

     So when Douglas found out the 4-H show in canterbury was cancelled because of the EHV-1 outbreak in Ocala.

     She was more relieved than upset.

     I was sad but I was also worried that my horse would get sick so I didn't want to take that risk," said Douglas.

     Any horse that gets EHV1 could experience anything from coughing a high fever to even weakness their limbs and if untreated it could be fatal.

     And the virus is highly contagious.

     In Ocala, horses had to be quarantined to prevent the spread.

     But now seven horses have been infected.

     For Alachua County's 4-H chairmen, Suzanne Holton, this decision to cancel the show wasn't easy but necessary.

     Suzanne Holton Alachua County 4-H Chairmen, " because the out break is so serious and so large at this point, its kind of a no-brainer you kind of have to do it and its hard because one horse can affect thousands."
 
     Even though this puts a damper on douglas's weekend plans, she thinks canceling the show was the best decision.

    Douglas said, "I'm relieved because they rescheduled it so its not that disappointing.. because im not missing a show."

     So this just means Mackenzie Douglas will have a little bit more time to practice with her friend Tulip.

     For now the organizers of the 4-H horse show have not picked a day to reschedule but think it will be during the upcoming months.

For updates on when the horse show will go on, check out http://alachua.ifas.ufl.edu/