It’s Spring . . .Time to Vaccinate Your Horses

By Darlene M. Cox

Spring has arrived and with its glorious return the time has rolled around again for annual vaccinations for our equine friends. Following an annual protocol of vaccinating your horses will assure them a healthy life in which they are protected from many potentially costly, if not fatal, diseases. These diseases are: Equine Encephalomyelitis (Eastern, Western and Venezuelan), Equine Influenza, West Nile Virus, Rhinopneumonitis (EHV1 and EHV4), Rabies, Strangles, Tetanus, Potomac Horse Fever, Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM), Rabies, and Botulism.

While there are many vaccines available on the market, it may not be necessary to administer the entire gambit to your horse. Geographical location risk levels and how you use your horse can be factored in to determine which vaccines are the best to give.

Depending upon how you use your horses (i.e., show/contest, trail ride, never take them off the farm, etc.) it is wise for horse owners to administer vaccines that will optimally protect their horses. If you have a new-to-you horse whose vaccination history is unknown or vague, you would want to treat him as never having been vaccinated, whereby this horse would need to receive the initial series of vaccines adhering to the required administrative timeline. If you will be traveling out of your region, research what vaccinations may need to be given to guard against diseases indicative to the area you will be traveling to.

My own personal vaccination plan for my 13-year old appaloosa trail horse whom I ride in Kentucky and Indiana is as follows: 6-way combination vaccination protecting against Eastern, Western, and Venezuelan Encephalomyelitis, Equine Influenza, Rhinopneumonitis (EHV1 & EHV4), and Tetanus Toxoid; West Nile Virus; Strangles; Potomac Fever; and Rabies.

If you are unsure that your vaccination plan is not up to par, or if you want to make sure you are vaccinating your horses timely, you may wish to visit the following website showing the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) vaccine recommendations:

http://www.vet.upenn.edu/schoolresources/communications/publications/bellwether/62/horse_vaccination.html

Vaccination programs work! Prior to vaccinations against Encephalomyelitis (Eastern) and West Nile Virus (WNV), Kentucky had many horses infected with these diseases. In 2005, there were only 9 cases of WNV in Kentucky, compared to 513 cases in 2002. (http://www.kyagr.com/state_vet/ah/programs/equineprogs/02WestNile.htm.) The last reported case of Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE) occurred in 1995, http://www.kyagr.com/state_vet/ah/programs/equineprogs/EEE_surveillence_report.htm. These numbers speak volumes; effective immunization programs have eradicated these diseases in Kentucky.

Don’t be “pennywise and pound foolish” in thinking that vaccines are a waste of time and money. The cost of vaccinations is nil compared to what it will cost should your horse(s) contract one of these diseases.

Vaccinate your horses and prepare for a year of happy healthy riding.

Happy trails!