One basic component of any good horse health
program is a complete vaccination program. When designing a vaccination protocol,
one should remember that the success of the preventative herd health program is no better
that the health of the individuals within the herd. The introduction of horses with
unknown immunization should be restricted until proper confirmation of immunization or
vaccination is done.
One common
failure of a horse health program is inaccurate record keeping. This documentation
must be done to ensure success of the vaccination program.
Remember, vaccination does not offer immediate protection
because the body takes 2-4 weeks to produce protective antibodies against the vaccinated
disease(s). First time vaccinations must be boostered with a second vaccination 2-4
weeks later to strengthen the protective response.
| Disease |
Administration |
Comments |
| Tetanus Toxoid/Antitoxin |
3-4 months of age w/booster 4 weeks
later |
Local tissue reaction; anaphylaxis
(shock) in some horses. Antitoxin provides short term protection for 7-14 days. |
| Botulism |
Initial vaccine at 2-4 weeks of age
followed by two boosters 2 weeks apart |
Local tissue reaction; anaphylaxis
(shock) in some horses. Heat and minor swelling may occur at the injection site. |
| Encephalomyelitis |
3-4 months with booster in 1 month |
Do not stress horses recently
vaccinated for Venezuelan encephalomyelitis. |
| Strangles |
Initial dose at 2-3 months of age
with 1-2 boosters 2-4 weeks later (depending on vaccine used) or 1 booster at 6 months of
age. Annual booster if desired |
Increased risk of anaphylaxis with
biannual vaccination in young horses. Postvaccinal reactions or abscesses at site of
injection may be combated with exercise and antibiotics. |
| Rhinopneumonitis |
After 3-6 weeks of age with booster
in 6 months. |
Deep intramuscular injection in
hind leg. Use vaccine that contains EHV-1 and EHV-4 strains. Mild exercise to
promote absorption is recommended for 1 week after injection. |
| Disease |
Administration |
Comments |
| Tetanus Toxoid |
Initial dose with booster in 3-4
weeks. Annual booster. |
Local tissue reaction; anaphylaxis (shock)
in some horses. |
| Tetanus Antitoxin |
Use in non-immunized horses or horses of
unknown history at time of injury |
Short term protection for 7-14 days. |
| Botulism |
Before exposure in enzootic areas. |
Local tissue reaction; anaphylaxis (shock)
in some animals. Heat and minor swelling may occur at the injection site. |
| Encephalomyelitis
(Eastern, Western, & Venezuelan) |
Initial dose with booster in 3-4
weeks. Annual to biannual booster. |
Do not stress horses recently vaccinated
for Venezuelan encephalomyelitis. Vaccination for Venezuelan encephalomyelitis may
limit exporation. |
| Rabies |
Horses must be older than 3 months of
age. Booster annually. |
Local tissue reaction may result if
injected subcutaneously. |
| Influenza |
Initial dose with booster in 3-4
weeks. Biannual for low to moderate risk horses. Every 2-3 months for high
risk horses. |
Do not vaccinate 2-3 weeks before a
stressful event. Some horses have a brief fever, loss of appetite, and depression
after vaccination. |
| Potomac Horse Fever |
Initial dose with booster in 3-4
weeks. Revaccinate every 4-6 months in enzootic areas, otherwise annually. |
Local tissue reaction may occur at
injection site. |
| Strangles |
Initial dose with one to two boosters 2-4
weeks later (depending on the vaccine) with annual booster. |
Biannual vaccination of young horses at
risk may increase risk of anaphylaxis (shock). Some horses may have Postvaccinal
reactions or abscesses at the site of injection which may be combated with exercise and
antibiotics. Vaccination does not always prevent infection and clinical signs. |
Rhinopneumonitis
(EHV-1 & WHV-4) |
Initial dose with booster in 4-6
weeks. Annual booster. |
Deep intramuscular injection in hind
leg. Use a vaccine that contains EHV-1 and EHV-4 strains. Mild exercise to
promote absorption is recommended for one week after injection. |
| Anthrax |
Initial dose with booster in 2-3 weeks and
2-4 weeks before an expected anthrax exposure. Annual booster. |
Do not vaccinate horses undergoing
antibiotic therapy. Use entire contents when first opened then burn container and
any unused vaccine. Local tissue reaction expected; inject under mane. Placing
horse in a dark stall for 10 days may be beneficial. Not a routine vaccination. |
| Equine Viral
Arteritis |
Vaccinate at any time, except foals
younger than 6 weeks of age and stallions 3 weeks before breeding. Vaccinate open or
maiden mares but at least 3 weeks before breeding. |
Horses may have mild fever and decrease in
white blood cells after vaccination. Burn container and any unused vaccine.
Not a routine vaccination. |
| Disease |
Administration |
Comments |
| Tetanus Toxoid |
One month before foaling. |
Local tissue reaction; anaphylaxis (shock)
in some horses. |
| Botulism |
Initially, at leasst 3 times during
gestation, 1 month apart with the last injection 2-4 weeks before foaling. Annual
vaccination 2-4 weeks before foaling. |
Local tissue reaction; anaphylaxis (shock)
in some animals. Heat and minor swelling may occur at the injection site. |
| Rabies |
Annually, before the breeding season. |
Local tissue reaction may result if
injected subcutaneously. |
| Influenza |
Annually in low risk areas; some also
recommend the last month of pregnancy. |
Do not vaccinate 2-3 weeks before a
stressful event. Some horses have a brief fever, loss of appetite, and depression
after vaccination. Check with veterinarian for guidance. |
| Rhinopneumonitis |
Pregnant mares at 5, 7, and 9 months of
gestation. Open and maiden mares at the same time as pregnant mares. |
If mares are beyond 5 months of pregnancy
at first vaccination, continue with vaccination every 2 months until birth. Deep
intramuscular injection in hind leg. Mild exercise to promote absorption is
recommended for one week after injection. |
| Equine Viral
Arteritis |
Open or maiden mares but at least 3 weeks
before breeding. |
DO NOT VACCINATE PREGNANT MARES.
Horses may have a mild fever and decrease in white blood cells after vaccination.
Burn container and any unused vaccine. Not a routine vaccination. |
