Equine Vaccinations –
Protect Your Horse
We advise that all horses receive vaccinations for both tetanus and equine influenza. This helps establish immunity across the equine population as well as providing the individual horse with protection.
The thoroughbred industry recently changed the primary vaccination course protocol for equine influenza.
Thoroughbreds are now required to have an initial vaccination followed by a second vaccination at 21-60 days later, followed by a third vaccination 120-180 days after the second. Booster vaccinations are required every six months.
Different societies have different requirements for equine influenza vaccinations. Please double check in advance with your society well in advance of competitions or events.
Tetanus
Tetanus bacteria are commonly found in soil and can enter your horse’s bloodstream via cuts and wounds. The disease has a high fatality rate in unvaccinated horses. The vaccine can be administered either alone or in combination with the equine influenza vaccine.
The initial vaccination involves two injections given 4-6 weeks apart, followed by a booster dose at 12 months and then every 2 years thereafter. All mares should receive Tetanus vaccination before foaling to ensure that their colostrum contains protective antibodies which foals receive via passive transfer.
“We recommend that you vaccinate your mare against tetanus in the last trimester of pregnancy, roughly a month before her due date, in order to boost antibodies against tetanus in colostrum which will therefore provide protection to her and her foal.
EHV-1 and EHV-4
EHV-1 and EHV-4 can lead to abortion in pregnant mares and respiratory and neurological disease in all horses. Broodmares should be vaccinated against EHV-1 and EHV-4 three times during gestation while other horses should receive an initial primary course followed by six monthly booster vaccinations. These viral diseases that can spread from horse-to-horse contact, such as horses touching noses, coughing or snorting. They can also spread via shared equipment such as tack and feed bowls. These viruses can lay dormant in a horse following initial infection but become reactivated in stressful situations.
Equine Rotavirus
Equine rotavirus is among the most common causes of diarrhoea in foals under six months. It inhibits digestion and food absorption as it damages the lining of the intestines. Pregnant mares should be vaccinated at 8, 9 and 10 months of gestation to minimise the risk and severity of rotavirus diarrhoea in young foals.