Equine Vaccinations

Kevin Hankins, DVM, senior veterinarian, Equine Technical Services, Zoetis has some vaccination advice for horse owners.

Fall Equine Wellness: What Your Horse Needs ?Administer booster vaccinations and target deworming treatments to help protect your horse’s health.

 

With fall approaching, it is important that you help protect your horse from emerging risks, such as equine influenza virus, equine herpesvirus (EHV) and parasites. 

 

If you have a horse that travels for fun or competition, it’s recommended that he be vaccinated twice a year against equine influenza and equine herpes virus to help boost his immunity.

 

While annual spring vaccinations help offer disease protection and can activate an immune response, the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) vaccination guidelines recommend at-risk horses be vaccinated for equine influenza and equine herpesvirus, also called rhinopneumonitis, every six months.1

 

How do you know whether your horse is considered at risk? Key disease risk factors include:

• Younger than 6 years old

• Older than 15 years old

• Stabled in boarding barns

• Traveling off-property or housed with horses that do