Vaccination programs should follow a continuous, year-round schedule based on local health problems. Vaccination against rhinopneumonitis should be performed at 5, 7, and 9 mo of gestation. Vaccines that require annual boosters should be administered 4–6 wk 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 at http://www.aaep.org/vaccination_guidelines.htm. Colostrum should be ingested in the first 24 hr of life to effectively provide passive transfer of immunoglobulins.

Example of Vaccination Schedule for Broodmares

Vaccine	Schedule
Equine rhinopneumonitis (inactivated)	EHV-1 at 5, 7, and 9 mo of gestation; EHV-1/EHV-4 4–6 wk before due date
Tetanus (toxoid)	4–6 wk before due date
Equine influenza	4–6 wk before due date; if unvaccinated, initially administer two doses at 4–6 wk intervals and then a third dose 4–6 wk before due date
Eastern and Western equine encephalomyelitis	Usually administered to mares in late spring or early summer before onset of insect season; initially administer two doses at a 4–6 wk interval; 4–6 wk before due date
Rabies	4–6 wk before due date
Botulism (toxoid)	Initially three doses at 4–6 wk intervals, then annual booster 4–6 wk before due date
West Nile virus	Initially two doses at a 4–6 wk interval; 4–6 wk before due date
Rotaviral diarrhea	8, 9, and 10 mo of gestation
Equine viral arteritis (modified-live virus)	A negative titer should be documented by a USDA-approved laboratory before vaccination; pregnant mares should not be vaccinated; open mares should be vaccinated before breeding to a positive stallion that is shedding the virus; vaccinated horses must be isolated for 3 wk after vaccination; annual boosters recommended; positive titers may cause problems if mare is to be exported or bred on certain farms. (Stallions should also be vaccinated 3 mo before breeding.)
Equine monocytic ehrlichiosis (Potomac horse fever)	Initially administer two doses at a 3–4 mo interval; 4–6 wk before due date

Parasite Control During Pregnancy in Horses

Was This Page Helpful?

Abortion in Horses

Management of Reproduction in Horses

The Immune System of Horses

Equine Herpesvirus Infection

Video Sonogram of 18-Day Unilateral Twins

Care should be taken to confirm the breeding date of the mare so that these 18-day unilateral...

Overview of Mechanisms of Antimicrobial Resistance

Follow

Add to Any Platform

MSD and the MSD Veterinary Manual

Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA (known as MSD outside of the US and Canada) is a global healthcare leader working to help the world be well. From developing new therapies that treat and prevent disease to helping people in need, we are committed to improving health and well-being around the world. The Veterinary Manual was first published in 1955 as a service to the community. The legacy of this great resource continues in the online and mobile app versions today.