Recommended horse vaccinations

By Steven Edwards, DVM

The following is a list of vaccinations available for use in the horse. Initial vaccinations are usually given after the horse has reached three months of age.

Rabies
This vaccine was recently approved for horses. It contains a killed virus to protect against this disease, which affects the central nervous system and results in death. This disease has been on the rise lately and is transmissible from horse to human, thereby posing a severe public health problem. This is an annual vaccine only.

Tetanus
An acute, infectious disease that is the result of a toxin produced by the bacterium clostridium tetani, which enters wounds of any nature. The vaccination is a modified toxin that stimulates an immune response. The initial vaccination is followed by a second dose in four to six weeks. It is given annually thereafter. If you fail to re-vaccinate on a yearly basis, you must administer two doses as if you are initially vaccinating the horse.

Eastern and western encephalomyelitis
This acute viral disease of rodents, birds, horses and man, is transmitted by the mosquito. The vaccine is a combination of killed viruses. Initial vaccination is followed by a second dose in two to three weeks or four to six weeks, depending on vaccine used. An annual re-vaccination is given thereafter. If vaccinated properly and at the correct time of year, the vaccine will protect your horse for the season.

Rhinopneumonitis
This is a viral disease with three faces: respiratory disease, abortion, and a disease of the nervous system that can cause paralysis. It was once thought all of these problems were caused by the same rhino virus, but there are two rhino viruses involved in this disease: equine herpesvirus-1 and equine herpesvirus-4. EHV-1 protects horses against abortion and possibly the paralysis form. EHV-4 protects horses against the respiratory form, which accounts for more than 46 percent of respiratory disease in the horse, according to recent research.

Pneumabort K-1B {for pregnant mares}
The vaccine is given at the fifth, seventh, and ninth months of pregnancy. In regard to abortion, Pneumabort K-1B is the only rhinopneumonitis vaccine with federal approval for the prevention of abortion in mares due to equine herpsevirus-1 {EHV-1}. The EHV-4 initial vaccination is followed by a second dose in four to six weeks, boostered every three to four months for horses that are showing heavily. The vaccine provides protection for up to three months.

Influenza
An acute, highly contagious viral disease affecting the upper respiratory tract of the horse. The vaccine is a combination of the two most common strains of influenza as a killed virus. Initial vaccination is followed by a second dose in three to four weeks. For horses who are actively showing and/or in contact with many horses in a high traffic situation, this should be given every three to four months, according to the manufacturer. The vaccine provides protection for three to four months.

Rhino/flu combination vaccine
This is a vaccine containing influenza strains and rhinopneumonitis EHV-4. This combination vaccine is excellent for show horses, race horses, or horses in a high-exposure situation {such as medium to large boarding stables} who need rhino/flu vaccines every three to four months.

Strangles
This contagious bacterial disease of the horse affects the upper respiratory tract with abscessation of the lymph nodes, especially in the upper neck and throat region. A killed bacterin is available. Initial vaccination is followed by a booster in three weeks and a third booster in six weeks from the initial vaccine. Annual re-vaccination is given thereafter. Another vaccine for strangles recommends initial dose repeated in three to four weeks and annually. This is not to be given in the face of an outbreak or at a facility where there was a confirmed case for one year after the case was diagnosed.

Potomac horse fever
This is a seasonal disease seen generally in the summer months. It had been reported in 33-plus states as of summer 1998. The disease is characterized by high fever, severe diarrhea, malaise, depression, anorexia and very often a severe founder that can effect all four feet. It has a high mortality rate. There is now an annual vaccine for the prevention of this disease. It is best to give one in early spring. Initial vaccination is followed by a booster in three to four weeks and annual re-vaccination thereafter.

Worming
Parasite control is of utmost importance in maintaining your horse's health and helping prevent intestinal damage. I recommend de-worming every eight weeks, with bot de-worming done in the late fall or early winter. The reason for worming every 8 weeks is that after 10-12 weeks your horse no longer has larvae in his gut; they will have become real worms. If you can't afford to tube-worm every eight weeks, alternate worming with tube and with a good paste wormer. If you do nothing else for your horse, please do this.

Teeth
An often neglected area of horse health is proper dental care. The sharp points on a horses's teeth must be "floated" {rasped} to prevent ulceration of the oral cavity and to allow a horse to chew and digest food properly. This should be done every 12 months, depending on how rapidly your horse wears down his/her teeth.

Foot Care
Horses' feet should be trimmed on a routine basis, generally every six to nine weeks.