Vaccinations

While we endeavour to send vaccination reminders, it remains the owner’s responsibility to ensure that their horse’s vaccinations remain up to date.

Equine Influenza (EI)

Equine influenza is a highly contagious virus which results in respiratory symptoms. We advise that all horses should be vaccinated against EI. Vaccinations are mandatory for any horse going onto any racecourse. In addition, competition horses are required to have regular EI vaccinations. Regulatory bodies or competition venues may specify their own vaccination requirements so it is important that  you check these and ensure your horse is compliant. Vaccinations must be recorded in the horse’s passport which should be present at the time of the vaccination.

Vaccination of foals can start from 5 months of age and is often combined with tetanus vaccinations. Administering influenza and tetanus vaccinations to pregnant mares is recommended 4-6 weeks before foaling. This ensures that the foal receives adequate immunity via antibodies consumed in the colostrum in the first few hours of life.

Tetanus

Thankfully, regular vaccinations ensure that we rarely see horses presenting with clinical symptoms of tetanus in the UK.  We recommend that all horses and ponies should be vaccinated for tetanus, not just those that travel or mix with other horses. This is because any horse or pony with a wound is at risk of this often fatal disease which is caused by Clostridium tetani bacteria found in soil. Vaccination intervals may vary slightly between vaccines brands, but the protocol usually consists of a primary course (two injections 4-6 weeks apart), followed by a first booster (within 12 months of second injection) and subsequent boosters every 2 years.

Equine Herpes Virus (EHV)

There are 5 strains of EHV, but the two most common strains causing disease in the UK are EHV-1 and EHV-4. EHV is widespread in the population and can be carried latently by horses that show no signs of infection. Stress may trigger symptoms and shedding of the virus.

EHV-1 causes neurological and respiratory disease, as well as abortion in mares
EHV-4 causes respiratory disease and less commonly abortion

Thankfully, the neurological form of the disease is rare but in confirmed cases it is often fatal. EHV vaccination is recommended for horses travelling and competing regularly, or for horses kept on yards where other horses are travelling frequently. For pregnant mares, EHV vaccination is recommended at 5, 7 and 9 months of gestation.

The primary vaccination course consists of two doses 4-6 weeks apart, followed by a booster every 6 months.

Vaccinating against EIV and EHV should not be an alternative to proactive biosecurity measures. It still remains our advice that new arrivals on to yards are quarantined.

Rota Virus

For pregnant mares, rotavirus vaccinations are recommended at 8, 9 and 10 months of gestation. Rota Virus causes diarrhoea in young foals and if untreated can lead to complications including death.