Vaccinations

Springtime will be here before you know it and it is time to start thinking about updating your horse’s vaccinations. Vaccines are critical to preventing the spread of dangerous diseases. Through their use, many previously fatal diseases are almost nonexistent. Vaccinations work by injecting a killed or altered form of the disease causing organism into the body. This causes the body to work to determine the best antibodies to use in an attack against the pathogen. Because the organism is killed or altered, it is nonfunctional and does not cause disease, but the immune system remembers the best strategy for destroying the pathogen. The next time the horse comes in contact with the disease causing organism, his immune system immediately knows how to fight it and he does not become ill. Occasionally, a vaccination can produce local swelling, soreness or rarely, allergic response. The following table outlines which vaccines your horse requires based on their age and exposure.

Image horses

Adult Horses Recommended Vaccination Schedule

Vaccine Yearlings

Performance

 Pleasure Brood Mares Comments
Tetanus Annual Annual Annual 4-6 weeks prepartum Booster required
after penetrating
injury.
EEE, WEE Annual Annual Annual 4-6 weeks prepartum  
Rhinopneumonitis Optional Semi-Annually Optional 5th, 7th and 9th
month of gestation.		  
Influenza Optional Semi-Annualy Optional 4-6 weeks prepartum  
Rabies Annual Annual Annual 4-6 weeks prepartum  
Potomac Annual Annual Annual 4-6 weeks prepartum Booster during
May/June
West Nile Annual Annual Annual 4-6 weeks prepartum  
Please note: advice given as a guide only and specific advice may vary for individual horses. OES does not accept responsibility for any problems resulting from inappropriate interpretation of advice. If you have any doubt about your horse's health, always consult a vet.