08/28/2026
UPDATE: Initial testing for all horses on the SugarTide property (tested Aug 28th) came back negative for EIA on Sept 2 2026.
This is a post I really hoped I would never have to write.
Over the past week, SugarTide has been dealing with a confirmed case of Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA).
What began with routine Coggins testing resulted in a non-negative screening result for one of our horses, Siesta. Because EIA is a federally reportable disease in Canada, further testing was completed through the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) National Reference Laboratory.
Unfortunately, that testing confirmed yesterday that Siesta was positive for EIA.
Also yesterday, we humanely escorted Siesta across the rainbow bridge.
There is no cure or vaccine for EIA. Once infected, a horse carries the virus for life and can remain a source of infection to other equines even while showing no symptoms. Under Canada’s EIA control program, horses confirmed positive are ordered to be humanely destroyed.
It is a horrible thing to write because behind all of the testing, regulations, phone calls and quarantine requirements, there was an otherwise healthy asymptomatic horse at the centre. A horse who was loved and cared for, and who deserved a very different ending.
I also want to explain what EIA actually is, because understandably there have been a lot of questions.
EIA is a blood-borne viral disease affecting horses and other members of the equine family. Transmission occurs through the transfer of infected blood from one animal to another. Large biting flies such as horse flies and deer flies can mechanically transmit the virus, and transmission can also occur through blood-contaminated equipment such as needles, syringes or surgical instruments.
EIA poses no risk to human health and affects members of the equine family, including horses, donkeys and mules.
Following Siesta’s confirmed result, our property was placed under CFIA movement restrictions and quarantine. All horses on our property are now being tested under their direction.
For the quarantine to ultimately be removed, the exposed horses must test negative for EIA twice. The first round of testing takes place today, with the second occurring at least 45 days after the last date on which contact with an infected horse could have occurred.
Every one of today’s blood samples represents a horse who is deeply loved by us and by their owners, and I don’t think I can adequately describe what it feels like to wait for those results.
We have worked closely with our amazing veterinarians at Moore & Co. and the CFIA throughout this process and will continue to follow their direction until our herd is cleared and the quarantine is lifted.
I also want to thank our clients, staff, friends, veterinarians and everyone else who has reached out, offered help or simply given us some grace while we navigate something none of us ever expected to face.
Because EIA is a disease that very few people in our community have ever had to deal with firsthand, we know there will be questions. We will continue to share confirmed information as it becomes available. For anyone looking for information about EIA itself or Canada’s EIA control program, the CFIA is the appropriate source.
For however long this takes, our job remains to protect the horses entrusted to us, support the people who love them and get this herd safely to the other side.
Siesta’s infection was discovered through routine testing as we were hoping to attend shows in September. Although this was an outcome none of us ever expected or wanted, that testing did exactly what disease surveillance is intended to do: identify an infected horse so that the necessary measures could be taken to protect other equines.
Today, though, we take a moment to say goodbye to Siesta.
He deserved a different ending, and I’m incredibly sorry that this was his.
