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Spring Vaccine
Before taking a shot in the arena, be sure your horse takes his shots for better health.
AS SPRING ROLLS around, there are a lot of seasonal tasks facing those of us in the horse community. One of the most important is equine vaccination. It sounds simple, and yet there are a lot of questions about what vaccines to use, when to use them, and even how necessary they are.
Here’s the skinny on sensible spring shots for mounted shooting horses.
There exists a basic set of vaccines that we call “core” vaccines. This is the bare minimum every horse should receive every spring, regardless of age, size, use or lifestyle. Being old, retired, pregnant, or even having long ears, it doesn’t matter.
Vaccinations are essential. This core includes Eastern and Western equine encephalitis, tetanus, West Nile, and influenza.
The most important vaccines to give traveling and commingling horses are equine influenza and rhinopneumonitis. Both of these viruses are easily spread by fomite (indirect) transmission and one or two coughs from a nearby horse gets the transfer complete. If your horses are standing or tied near horses that are coughing, move away and wait somewhere else.
When selecting vaccines, always check with your most trusted veterinarian. The intranasal flu vaccine, for instance, is faster and more effective than the injectable form. Rhino and flu come as a combination, which is the second best choice. Remember the flu vaccine lasts only six to eight months and should be boosted biannually.
An intranasal vaccine for distemper (or more correctly strep equi) infection is available but is usually only given on farms with endemic problems. This vaccine is a modified live organism so it occasionally has reactions, which mimic a mild infection with the virulent form.
Rabies vaccine for horses should be used in any region of the country where this virus is known active. The most dangerous areas include the Midwest, the Southeast and Texas. Outside of those areas, ask your local veterinarian how important the rabies vaccine is and act accordingly. This vaccine is commonly overlooked; a few horses become rabid in almost every state each year.
Beyond the core vaccines, there are local and regional diseases that are best addressed by your local veterinarian. Most horsemen aren’t aware of all the vaccinations that are available, including: equine viral arteritis for reproductively active horses, Potomac horse fever, rotavirus, and botulism, just to name a few.
No vaccine exists yet for the rising problem with piroplasmosis. The best method of prevention is to make sure your horse has no ear ticks.
New vaccines and medicines are always on the horizon. I’m intrigued by one that’s coming out of California’s Red Rock Biological Company—the rattlesnake venom vaccine. Some of us have been using exaggerated doses of the canine variety (without FDA approval) on horses living in high-risk situations. The studies have been completed and we are awaiting official approval to market this vaccine.
A good immunization program is essential to responsible horse ownership, but keep in mind that vaccination does not guarantee 100% protection.  Related posts:
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