In the wake of widespread EHV-1 related cancellations and new travel restrictions across states, the PRCA and Las Vegas Events recently released a formal update clarifying what guidelines do and do NOT apply to horses competing at the 2025 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
While new travel restrictions and biosecurity rules are now in place, officials have emphasized that the NFR will continue as planned, with protocols tailored specifically for competing horses.
These updates came just before a major announcement that the National Finals Breakaway Roping, the PRCA Permit Challenge, and the Benny Binion Bucking Horse Sale that were originally scheduled for Dec. 2–4 at the South Point Arena have been pulled from the venue and postponed. South Point Hotel & Casino informed the PRCA and WPRA that the Nov. 21 biosecurity guidelines could not be met under the current conditions.
While many equine events nationwide have implemented strict no-travel policies following the Texas outbreak, PRCA officials clarified that the NFR’s updated restrictions do not fully apply to competing horses in the same way they apply to the general public. Instead, NFR horses will be managed under a controlled, closed-system protocol designed to limit exposure, track health, and maintain biosecurity without preventing competition from taking place.
The PRCA exact release reads:
“The priority of Las Vegas Events and the PRCA is to safely and fully complete the 2025 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. The current guidelines are based on ongoing monitoring of the current equine health landscape and may be adjusted as needed. Las Vegas Events and the PRCA will continue collaborating with state veterinary officials to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all participants, both human and equine, throughout the event.
Las Vegas Events and the PRCA, in coordination with the Nevada Department of Agriculture and the Texas Animal Health Commission, have announced updated equine health guidelines for the 2025 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. These measures are designed to protect the wellbeing of all participating horses, while upholding the highest standards of biosecurity and animal care.
The updated stringent equine health guidelines for the 2025 NFR include the following key points:
- All horses must have a Seven-Day Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) and a unique entry permit number obtained from the Nevada Department of Agriculture.
- All participants and competitors are responsible for daily temperature monitoring of their horses.
- There is a no-travel advisory for all horses participating and competing at the NFR.
- Enhanced verification and check-in procedures will be in place at the Thomas & Mack Center.
- Biosecurity measures will be maintained throughout the event.”
Several NFR bound horses have recently competed, hauled, or been stalled at events where EHV-1 positive horses were too. These situations have prompted questions about whether they may have been exposed. PRCA officials have said that this is exactly why the enhanced veterinary inspections, seven-day CVIs, daily temperature monitoring, and tightened check in procedures are being heavily enforced.
All of these measures are to identify any issues early and prevent an exposed horse from entering, without fully cancelling or postponing the NFR completely.
With the outbreak continuing to unfold and new measures rolling out hourly, the PRCA, WPRA, and health officials stress the importance of vigilance, accurate information, and strict adherence to any and all protocols. Further updates about the NFR, NFBR rescheduling, and nationwide events are expected in the coming hours and days.