Vaccinations

Regular vaccination of horses, ponies and donkeys is an important part of their primary care to prevent some serious and potentially life-threatening diseases.

Horses and ponies that compete may need to provide evidence of correct vaccination in accordance with the rules of the relevant discipline/ organisation.

Influenza

Equine influenza is a highly contagious viral disease of the respiratory system, caused by different strains of the influenza virus. Horses can contract the disease either from direct contact with an infected horse or through contaminated environment/air. It spreads very rapidly as infected horses incubated the virus for only 1-3 days before developing symptoms.

We highly recommend vaccinating against flu and it is mandatory if your horse is going on to any racecourses. The Jockey Club, International Equestrian Federation (FEI), competition bodies (such as BS, BD, BE etc.) and many Show Societies, Riding Clubs and Pony Clubs produce vaccination protocols to follow for equine influenza. These may vary and it is therefore important that you check the requirements for your particular society/body.

Horses should have a primary course of three vaccinations, followed by boosters at intervals specified by the rules of the relevant discipline/organisation but at least every 12 months. If the annual booster is missed, it is necessary to ‘restart’ the primary course again.

Whilst we endeavour to send vaccination reminders, it is your responsibility to ensure your horse’s vaccinations remain up to date.

Tetanus

Tetanus is usually fatal and is caused by the soil borne bacterium Clostridium tetani contaminating any wound, however small. Because the incubation period is 7-21 days the wound is very often healed by the time symptoms start to show. 

The risk of tetanus is significant and ever present and approximately 90% of unvaccinated horses who contract tetanus don’t survive. Those that do survive require intensive veterinary care for at least 6 weeks.

We advise that all horses are vaccinated against tetanus even if they do not travel or mix with other horses and even if they are not vaccinated for influenza. Tetanus vaccination may be combined with influenza vaccination.

Equine Herpes Virus

This is a common virus in the worldwide horse population. The most common strains to infect horses are EHV1 and EHV4. EHV4 is most commonly associated with respiratory disease whilst EHV1 is more commonly associated with neurological disease and abortion.

We recommend all brood mares and competition horses are vaccinated against equine herpes virus.

Other vaccinations

In some cases, we may recommend vaccinating against other diseases such as EVA and Rotavirus. We are happy to advise when these might be required.