Vaccines Required or Recommended for Horses
Vaccines Required or Recommended for Horses
Disease | Description | Vaccination Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Core vaccines | ||
Tetanus | A bacterial infection that attacks the nervous system and causes the muscles to tighten (lockjaw) | First vaccine at 6 months of age, followed by 2 additional vaccinations at 3‑to 6‑week intervals; yearly boosters |
Encephalomyelitis (sleeping sickness, Eastern equine encephalomyelitis, Western equine encephalomyelitis) | A family of viral infections carried by mosquitoes that result in inflammation of the nervous system, including the brain | Similar schedule as tetanus (usually given as combination vaccine) |
Equine viral rhinopneumonitis | A highly infectious herpesvirus that can cause respiratory disease | Similar schedule as tetanus (usually given as combination vaccine) but semiannual boosters |
Influenza | A highly infectious viral respiratory infection; vaccine usually sprayed into the nose | Initial vaccination at 6 to 9 months, followed by revaccination at 11 months; earlier and more frequent vaccination for foals of unvaccinated mares; periodic boosters (for example, every 6 to 12 months) |
Other vaccines | ||
Potomac horse fever | A bacterial disease that affects many systems, causing fever, lethargy, diarrhea, and occasionally colic or laminitis (founder); vaccination recommended in areas where disease is common | Initial vaccination at 5 to 6 months followed by revaccination in 4 weeks; booster vaccinations at 1 year and annually after that |
Rabies | A viral disease of the nervous system that is both fatal and transmissible to people | Initial vaccination at 6 months of age; boosters at 7 months, 1 year, and yearly after that |
Rotavirus | A viral diarrheal disease; vaccination usually restricted to farms with a recurring problem | Pregnant mares are given a 3-dose series of vaccinations before foaling; foals protected through colostrum |
Strangles | A bacterial infection of the throat; vaccination usually restricted to farms with a recurring problem | Initial vaccine at 4 to 6 months, followed by 2 revaccinations at 4-week intervals; boosters at 12 months and annually after that |
West Nile virus | A viral infection carried by mosquitoes that results in inflammation of the nervous system, including the brain; vaccination currently recommended for horses in continental United States | Initial vaccine at 3 to 4 months, followed by revaccination 1 month later; boosters every 4 to 6 months depending on risk |