Vaccinations

Regular vaccinations are essential to provide your horse with the best protection against infectious disease that can cause serious and potentially life-threatening illness.

We strongly recommend vaccinating all horses against equine influenza and tetanus. If your horse competes in equestrian sport or participates in Riding Club or Pony Club activities, vaccinations are often a mandatory requirement set by the relevant governing bodies.

While we do our best to send reminders, it remains the owner’s responsibility to ensure vaccinations are kept up to date and meet the rules of any affiliated organisations.

Equine Influenza

Equine influenza is a highly contagious respiratory virus that spreads rapidly through direct contact or via the air and environment. Infected horses may begin showing symptoms within just 1 – 3 days of being in contact with the virus. The disease can progress into bronchitis or pneumonia, and recovery may be complicated by secondary infections.

Vaccination is the most effective way to protect your horse and minimise the spread of the disease.

Current Equine Influenza Vaccination Schedule (from 1st January 2024):

Primary course: Two injections 21–60 days apart

First booster: 120–180 days after the second primary injection

Annual boosters: Given within 365 days of the previous dose

Note: Following the 2019 flu outbreak, many competition venues and governing bodies now require six-monthly boosters to reduce the risk of transmission at large events.

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 all vary and it is therefore important that you check the requirements for your particular society/body.

Tetanus

Tetanus is almost always fatal in unvaccinated horses and is caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani, which enters the body through wounds – even minor ones. Because symptoms can take 7-21 days to appear, the original wound may have healed by the time symptoms appear.

Approximately 90% of unvaccinated horses that contract tetanus do not survive. Those that do survive require intensive care for weeks.

Tetanus vaccination is extremely effective and highly recommended, even for horses that do not travel or mix with others.

Most commonly, the tetanus vaccine is combined with the influenza vaccine, so if you follow the schedule for the combined vaccine then your horse should be protected.

Tetanus Vaccination Schedule (when given separately to the flu vaccine):

Primary course: Two injections 4–6 weeks apart

First booster: Within 12 months of the second dose

Subsequent boosters: Every 2 years

Equine Herpes Virus (EHV)

Equine Herpes Virus is widespread in the worldwide horse population. The most common strains are:

EHV-1: Associated with neurological disease and abortion

EHV-4: More commonly linked to respiratory illness

A vaccination is available and in the UK, it is mostly used in pregnant mares to help prevent abortion. A vaccine is also available to help reduce respiratory disease, and either of these vaccines might be used to limit EHV, although neither is licensed for this use. Ultimately, as with any vaccination program, the more horses that are vaccinated, the lower the overall disease prevalence. This supports the case for expanding EHV vaccination beyond just the broodmare population.

EHV vaccination schedule

Primary course: Two injections, 4–6 weeks apart (from 5 months of age)

Foals with poor colostrum intake: A single dose at 3 months, then 5 months, then 4-6 weeks after.

Boosters: Every 6 months recommended in high-risk populations

Pregnant mares (previously vaccinated with the primary course) should receive boosters in the 5th, 7th, and 9th months of pregnancy.

Note: Vaccination is not advisable during an active outbreak on a yard as it may exacerbate clinical disease.

Biosecurity remains key in managing and preventing outbreaks – limiting contact between horses, disinfecting shared equipment, and practicing good hygiene can significantly reduce the risk of spread.

Additional Vaccinations

In certain circumstances, we may recommend additional vaccinations, such as:

Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA) – typically for stallions

Rotavirus – often for young foals on stud farms

We’re always happy to provide tailored advice based on your horse’s individual needs, travel plans, or competition schedule.