Some context
The arena had been closed since Nov. 19, when Precinct 4 officials announced its temporary closure due to a statewide outbreak of Equine Herpesvirus Type 1, or EHV-1.
Sid Miller, commissioner of the Texas Department of Agriculture, confirmed the outbreak in a Nov. 19 news release stating the virus was first reported after the World Championship Barrel Racing Finals, which took place in Waco from Nov. 5-9.
Quote of note
"This virus can spread fast, it can be deadly, and the earliest signs are often so subtle they're easy to miss," Miller said in the news release. "I'm asking every local horse rider, roper, trainer and breeder to do their part today. ... If we work together and take this seriously, we can get ahead of this outbreak and keep our horses and our state's $12.3 billion equine industry safe."
At the time, Precinct 4 officials said the arena was being closed in an effort to minimize the spread of EHV-1 and "out of an abundance of caution."
Check it out
Now reopened to livestock, the rodeo arena offers open riding hours from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, according to the Precinct 4 website. For more information about reservations and rental fees, call 936-597-4444.
- 21675-B McCleskey Road, New Caney
- www.mctxpct4.org
