Vaccines

Vaccination is a crucial part of wellness for our equine partners. Vaccines are meant to reduce the risk of illness and decrease infectious disease spread. It is important to work with your veterinarian to develop a vaccine protocol that will work best for your horse and their needs.

Key Points:

• Core vaccines should be boostered annually
• Risk-based vaccines should be discussed with your veterinarian and boostered based on your horse’s individual circumstances
• Vaccines should be administered by your veterinarian

Vaccines can be divided into 2 main categories: core vaccines and risk-based vaccines. The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) considers Tetanus, Eastern and Western Equine Encephalitis (EEE/WEE), West Nile Virus (WNV) and Rabies to be the core vaccines for horses. These diseases have a high risk of severe disease, significant public health implications, are very infectious, are required by law, or are endemic (common) to a particular region. Risk-based vaccines will vary based on geographic region and population of horses. Risk-based vaccines in horses include Equine Herpesvirus (Rhinopneumonitis), Equine Influenza, and Strangles, among others.

Keeping up with regular vaccinations will keep your horse as protected as they can be.

Core-based vaccines should be boostered annually. Risk-based vaccines may be boostered up to every 6 months, depending on the risk factors individual to your horse. Your veterinarian will help develop a vaccine protocol based on your horse’s individual needs and their environment.

***Please note, horses that have an unknown vaccine history or have not been vaccinated, pregnant mares, and foals will require different vaccination schedules than a previously vaccinated adult horse. Consult your veterinarian for what vaccine schedule is appropriate for your horse***