Vaccinations protect your horse!
Disease prevention through vaccination is an essential part of horse management. If you are lucky enough not to need your vet for an emergency this year, you should still make sure you see your vet for your horse's vaccinations and check-up. The health check is an ideal time to discuss with your vet how your horse has been over the year, identify whether there are any areas of concern which need monitoring or investigating, and discuss any questions or concerns that you may have regarding your horses’ health and management.
Vaccinating against Equine Influenza (flu)
Equine Influenza spreads rapidly and can have significant economic implications due to loss of performance as well as the ill health of an infected horse, so vaccination is often compulsory for horses entering competitions, particularly if they are run under British Horseracing Authority or FEI rules. You should check that your horse is vaccinated to meet local requirements before setting off for a competition. Even if your horse isn’t competing it is important to protect them against the unpleasant ill effects of equine influenza.
Foals should start their flu vaccinations from around about 6 months of age. The initial course for foals and adults is two injections given generally 4-6 weeks apart, with a third injection required around 5-6 months later. Following this first third injection, the manufacturers’ recommendation for subsequent flu booster vaccination should be followed and is typically every 12 months. If you are competing your horse you will also need to make sure that the vaccinations are given in accordance with the governing body for your particular sport. For most governing bodies, standard manufacturer recommendations are sufficient for competition, however some organisations, such as the FEI require 6 monthly intervals between flu vaccines and a period of time between vaccination and competition (usually 7 days i.e. a horse cannot compete within 7 days of receiving a flu vaccination). Be careful to check the rules of any competition before you leave for an event.
The guidelines that most competition organisers follow are those stipulated by the British Horse Racing Authority. These are as follows:
There are usually no side effects experienced following a flu vaccination. However, on occasion a horse may become stiff or develop a swelling at the site of vaccination. Some horses can show mild transient flu like symptoms e.g. a high temperature. Your veterinary surgeon will be able to discuss what side effects your horse may experience. If you are worried that your horse is having a reaction you should always contact your veterinary surgeon for advice.
Vaccinating your horse against equine herpes virus
Equine herpes (EHV) can cause respiratory signs, neurological disease and can have implications for breeding mares if infected, including risk of abortion. Not every horse requires an EHV vaccine and you should discuss with your vet whether this vaccine is appropriate for your horse. The initial vaccination course is two injections given 4-6 weeks apart. However, the booster interval is shorter, with boosters being required every 6 months. Pregnant mares require vaccination at 5,7 and 9 months of gestation. If you feel that your horse would benefit from being vaccinated against EHV then contact Central Equine Vets for further information regarding EHV vaccination.
Vaccinating your horse against tetanus
Tetanus vaccination is recommended for all horses, whether or not your horse leaves the yard or meets other horses as the organism responsible for infection lives in soil. The initial (primary course) vaccination again starts with two injections given 4-6 weeks apart, and can be given from 6 months of age. Following the initial course, booster injections are given every one to three years, depending on the vaccine manufacturer's instructions. Therefore it is important to check with your vet what the relevant booster interval is for your horse. As with other equine vaccines, side effects are not common, but on occasion horses may become stiff or sore around the site of injection after it is given and you should contact your veterinary surgeon for advice if you suspect that this has occurred.
Vaccinating your horse against strangles
A vaccine exists to protect horses that are at high risk of strangles infection, and this vaccine is given into the upper lip of the horse, using a special applicator. The first two (primary) vaccinations are given 4 weeks apart, and a booster vaccination is then needed after 3 months. The booster interval will then depend on the risk of infection to your horse and what other control factors are in place. Your veterinary surgeon can discuss booster intervals and control factors that will be appropriate to your yard and whether vaccination against strangles is recommended in your horse.
Other equine vaccinations
In addition to the vaccinations already mentioned, there are other vaccines that are usually only used in high-risk areas or in breeding horses and not all of which are available in the UK.
Rotavirus can cause diarrhoea in young foals, but it rarely affects older animals. An equine rotavirus vaccine is available to stimulate immunity in mares so that their milk contains specific antibodies, which give their foals protection during their first few months of life. Mares are vaccinated during their 8th, 9th and 10th months of pregnancy.
