Hall Place Veterinary Centre

Vaccinations

Equine VaccinationsEquine Influenza

Equine influenza virus is a highly contagious, debilitating disease affecting whole equine yards at a time. Outbreaks are now rare due to ongoing and widespread vaccination programmes. The virus has the ability to mutate and cause new epidemics, so up to date vaccines are essential to keep on top of the disease.

Tetanus

Tetanus is a bacterial disease to which horses are particularly susceptible because it lives in the soil and can enter the bloodstream through wounds however small. It is fatal, but can easily be prevented by vaccination.

The primary course for both consists of two injections administered ideally four to six weeks apart (to conform to FEI Regulations 21 – 92 days), with the first booster given six months later (to conform to FEI Regulations 150 – 215 days). An annual booster of influenza is then required thereafter, with a combined tetanus booster after 1 year and then every other year. For all competing horses, including Pony Club and showing, the annual booster must be within 365 days and the primary course within the bracketed dates shown above. Currently, horses competing internationally require an influenza vaccination every six months and there is some speculation that this may extend to all competing horses.

Equine Herpes Virus

Horses can be vaccinated against equine herpes. This is the most common cause of ‘the cough’, but can also cause abortion and paralysis in rare cases. We recommend that competing and breeding horses be vaccinated. The primary course consists of two injections administered four to six weeks apart with a booster vaccination every six months. It can be given at the same time as the influenza and tetanus vaccines.

Strangles

A strangles vaccine has recently been developed. This is new to the market and we have yet to see how effective it is in practice. The vaccine is administered into the skin of the upper lip with a very fine needle.

The primary course consists of two injections administered four weeks apart, with revaccination every three months in high-risk situations. High-risk situations include horses kept at yards where there has been a previous strangles outbreak, where horses are frequently coming and going, or where strangles has been in the surrounding area.

Vaccination may be done every six months in lower risk situations such as for horses kept at home and in small groups.