Why do I need to vaccinate my horse?

Just like people and other animals, horses are vulnerable to different diseases.  Horses should be vaccinated to build their immune system to help fight these diseases should they become exposed.

What diseases are horses most commonly vaccinated against?

There are many vaccines that horses should have.  One of the most important is rabies.  Rabies is transmitted by the saliva from an already rabies-infected animal, usually through a bite wound.

Another very important disease horses should be vaccinated for is tetanus.  Tetanus is a bacterium that is transmitted most often through wounds.  Not only should horses be vaccinated against tetanus, but should they incur a wound,k particularly a puncture wound, it is recommended that they get tetanus antitoxin to further prevent tetanus.

There are several mosquito-transmitted diseases that horses should be vaccinated against.  West Nile Virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis and Western Equine Encephalitis are the three most common.  These diseases attack the brain causing neurological signs such as trembling, wandering in circles, walking into objects, partial paralysis, fever, convulsions and coma.  Unfortunately, the mortality rates in all three diseases is very high, anywhere from 30 to 90%.

The other groups of diseases we vaccinate for are respiratory diseases.  Equine influenza is a highly contagious viral disease, considered the most important viral respiratory disease in horses.  Clinical signs include fever, nasal discharge, and coughing.  Young horses are particularly susceptible to flu.  Once infected, it can take weeks for a horse's respiratory tract to heal.  Infected horses should be quarantined, their barn should be quarantined for at least four weeks.  Usually included in the vaccine for influenza is the vaccines for rhinopneumonitis, also known as equine herpes virus.

Pregnant mares need to be vaccinated at 5, 7, and 9 months gestation against disease that causes spontaneous abortion, or miscarriage.

In South Jersey, where good pasture can be hard to come by, some horse owners use round bales to supplement grass intake.  Because of their size, round bales can frequently get moldy in their inner portions.  Therefore, horses on round bales should be vaccinated for botulism.

How often do horses need to be vaccinated?

This depends on the lifestyle of the horse.  Horses that are kept in backyards or stables and don't do a lot of traveling should be vaccinated yearly for tetanus, rabies, WVN, EEE/WEE and rhino/flu.

For horses that travel or show, twice yearly vaccines are recommended.

How is a horse vaccinated?

Horses are given vaccines intramuscularly in the neck.  It is recommended that a horse not be given more than two vaccines at a time, and no sooner than 3 weeks prior to a horse show.

How will my horse feel after being vaccinated?

The most connon side effects after being vaccinated are lethargy, soreness in the vaccine site, and decreased appetite.  Occasionally, a horse may have a stronger reaction and require medical treatment, such as steroids.