Vaccinations
Vaccinations are an important part of preventative health planning, with appropriate vaccination helping to protect your horse from several important, sometimes life-threatening diseases.
In the UK horses most commonly can be vaccinated against the following diseases:
- Influenza
- Tetanus
- Equine Herpes Virus 1 and 4
- Strangles
Equine influenza
Proper vaccination is essential in preventing equine influenza infection in your horse.
For all equine influenza vaccinations, Central Equine Vets recommend the following schedule for primary course and booster intervals in line with the manufacturer's guidelines:
- First vaccination - from 5-6 months old
- Second vaccination given 28-42 days later
- Third vaccination given 150-157 days later
- Annual booster vaccinations must be given within 365 days
- If your horse competes under FEI rules, then a booster must have been administered within 6 months and 21 days. They cannot compete if they have been vaccinated within 7 days of arrival to the event.
TETANUS
The only way to prevent your horse from contracting tetanus is to vaccinate your horse.
Tetanus vaccination is recommended for all horses with the vaccine being administered in line with the manufacturer’s guidelines:
- First vaccination - from 5-6 months old
- Second vaccination given 28-42 days later
- Third vaccination given 365 days later
- Boosters every 2 years
It is worth noting that if your horse is not fully vaccinated against tetanus and becomes exposed to infection e.g. a cut or penetrating wound, then an injection of tetanus 'antitoxin' will be given for protection. Once the antitoxin has worn off (after just a few days) your horse will be unprotected again and should be vaccinated against tetanus as soon as possible.
Checking the horses heart rate | Drawing up the vaccination | Injecting the horse with the vaccination
Remembering Your Vaccinations
As a horse owner it is your responsibility to remember to vaccinate your horse at the required times and within the required timescales.
At Central Equine Vets, we know that it can be an easy thing to forget, so we endeavour to send you reminders about your horse’s vaccinations. We will contact you the month before your vaccination is due to ensure plenty of time for booking. These reminders are issued by email, text message and telephone call. (Please ensure that your contact details are up to date to ensure appropriate contact.)
Important information
Please remember that horses are unable to compete for the 7 days following a vaccination.
For competing, pony club, riding club etc, please remember to check with your association, specific governing body or competition venue of their vaccination requirements.
FEI Vaccination records - equine influenza vaccination details now need to be recorded on the FEI HorseApp by a veterinarian. For all new vaccinations of all FEI Horses, the vaccine name, batch number and the date of administration must be recorded on the FEI HorseApp in addition to the Horse’s Passport, as per the FEI Veterinary Regulations. Vaccination details must be entered on the same day the vaccine is administered. New vaccination details can be recorded only by a veterinarian.
As with other equine vaccines, side effects are not common, but horses may occasionally become stiff or sore around the site of injection after it is given. If this is the case, always contact the practice for advice.
Vaccination requirements
If you compete your horse and require the latest vaccination requirement information, please refer to the individual equestrian governing bodies for the latest news:
The British Show Jumping Association (BSJA)
British Equestrian Federation (BEF)
The International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI)