MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas — Texas’ top agriculture official is urging horse owners to keep a close eye on their animals after an outbreak of Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 (EHV-1) was linked to the recent World Championship Barrel Racing Finals in the Waco area.

The warning led to at least one Houston-area horse arena closing for the time being. According to Montgomery County Precinct 2 Commissioner Charlie Riley , the Magnolia Horse Arena was closed "out of an abundance of caution" due to the EHV-1 outbreak.

Montgomery County Precinct 1 Commissioner Robert Walker announced that the Willis Ag Arena would be closed due to the outbreak, too. All scheduled events were canceled, and the matter will be reassessed on Dec. 8.

It's unclear how many horses have died as a result of the outbreak.

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