Vaccination in Breeding Horses

Vaccination programs should follow a continuous, year-round schedule and consider local health problems. Vaccination against rhinopneumonitis should be performed at 5, 7, and 9 months of gestation. Vaccines that require annual boosters should be administered 4–6 weeks before the mare’s due date to stimulate the dam to produce antibodies that will be transferred to the foal via the colostrum ( see Table: Example of Vaccination Schedule for Broodmares). Detailed information regarding current vaccination recommendations is available from the AAEP. Colostrum should be ingested in the first 24 hours of life to effectively provide passive transfer of immunoglobulins.