Vaccinations Explained

Vaccinations are an important part of keeping your horse healthy, but it can be quite intimidating to research all the illnesses your horse may contract. How can you know which ones have vaccines available? When does your vet need to administer the vaccines, and how often do the different diseases need booster shots? Today, Animal Friends Equine is looking into the key vaccinations you’ll need.

Vaccines are biological products used to stimulate some immunity to a disease. Most vaccines require two initial doses a few weeks apart to establish a good level of protection. The need for further vaccination and the frequency of these depend on the vaccine and the disease being vaccinated against.

In order for your horse to have vaccinations, your vets will require your horse’s passport and vaccination card.

 Tetanus

Tetanus vaccinations are given, initially, two injections which are four weeks apart. Boosters are usually given every 18 to 24 months.  All horses should receive this protection, as tetanus is widespread, difficult to treat and can enter the body through any puncture wound or deep cut.

 Equine Influenza

This is a highly contagious, although rarely fatal, disease. It can cause severe illness, especially in very young horses. An outbreak can severely curtail training and competition activities. The initial course is two injections given approximately four weeks apart, with the first booster given at six months, then annually or as directed by the manufacturer. The FEI now insists on six-monthly boosters, regardless of vaccine used, and some racehorse training yards also vaccinate every six months. General riding horses need only have a vaccination once a year.

 Equine herpes viruses 1 and 4

These are also highly contagious infections. In addition to causing respiratory disease, EHV-1 can also cause abortion (as can EHV-4 occasionally). Vaccination against this is less common than influenza, because there is no Jockey Club or FEI requirement for it. The initial course is two injections given four to six weeks apart. Annual or more frequent boosters are then needed. To reduce risk of abortion, injections must be given at five, seven and nine months of pregnancy.

 Rotavirus

Vaccination against rotavirus is carried out to help prevent diarrhoea and ulcer formation in young foals. Mares are vaccinated at eight, nine and 10 months of pregnancy.

If you do have concerns about the health of your horse or pony, Animal Friends recommends that you consult your vet for advice. Be aware, should your horse contract an illness that could have been prevented by a vaccine, insurance companies will not cover the veterinary costs; don’t take that risk and insure your horse today.

If you would like a quote on horse insurance, feel free to call our knowledgeable equine sales team on 0844 57 32 100