Maintaining the health of your horse is a basic responsibility of horse ownership. Keeping a horse on your land forces the animal to comply rely on its owner. If you fail to keep the horse in good healthy, the animal will suffer. One very important health measure you must take to maintain your horses’ health is annual vaccinations.
Vaccinations are most commonly given in the spring, but you can choose whatever time of the year works best for you. By vaccinating in the spring, your horse will benefit from the recent boost of antibodies against the diseases it may encounter through the busy and warm summer months. The summer season is the most common time for diseases to be transmitted due to the frequency of shows and competitions.
The exact schedule of vaccinations you will need to be followed will need to be directed by your veterinarian. This is because all horses are affected differently and have different needs. The use, age, breed, and location of the horse all play a part in which vaccinations your horse must receive and how often they will need to revaccinated.
Most vaccinations are given in a two shot series, typically 4-6 weeks apart. These first vaccinations are usually done in the first year of a horse’s life, but if the horse was not vaccinated as a foal or weanling, will still need to be doubled the first time given to an adult horse. After the initial vaccinations, booster vaccines will need to be administered to maintain a resistance to the disease. Many boosters are given at an annual schedule, but depending on your horse and many other factors, can be more often, or less often.
The first disease every horse needs to be vaccinated for is encephalomyelitis. This disease is commonly called “sleeping sickness”. Encephalomyelitis is a group of viruses that attack the brain. The most common types that affect horses in North America include WEE (Western Equine Encephalomyelitis) and EEE (Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis). Encephalomyelitis is spread through mosquitoes who acquire the virus from birds and rodents. The first symptoms of WEE or EEE include: fever, depression and poor appetite. Eventually the horse may become completely paralyzed resulting in death.
Influenza in a very contagious equine disease; it is spread through horses just as it is through humans, it can be transferred throughout horses very quickly. Sneezing and coughing can spew the virus into the air where another horse may inhale it. Once inside a horse’s respiratory system, the virus leads to more coughing, sneezing, drainage from the nose, fever and poor appetite. This influenza is very contagious and needs to be vaccinated for, especially if you travel with your horse, or come in contact with other horses. While influenza is typically not life threatening for the horse, it can lead to permanent respiratory track damage if not addressed. Flu vaccines may be necessary up to even 3 months for a very active horse. Your veterinarian will consult you and inform you of how often you need to vaccinate for influenza.
Potomac Horse Fever is a non-contagious disease that affects horses. This disease can cause subtle symptoms such as depression, fever and loss of appetite. If not addressed, it can eventually lead to equine anorexia, diarrhea and laminitis. You can treat Potomac Horse Fever, but the treatment is quite costly and requires intravenous antibiotics for up to a week.
Rhinopneumonitis is a disease that affects the respiratory tract in a horse. There are two types of Rhinopneumonitis, type 1 and type 4. Type 4 is less severe and can cause respiratory complications that can affect the horse for many months. Type 1 is very dangerous to mares and foals as it can result in many different birth defects and even abortion in a pregnant mare. All pregnant mares must be vaccinated against Rhinopneumonitis during their 5th, 7th, and 9th month of pregnancy. Foals and all young horses also need to be vaccinated, possibly up to every 3 months. Your veterinarian will help you decide on a sufficient Rhinopneumonitis vaccination schedule. Rhinopneumonitis is spread though direct contact with body fluids, including feeding dishes and the horse’s drinking water.
Rabies is one of the most commonly vaccinated diseases amongst all animals. Rabies is transmitted through a direct bite from a rabies infected animal. Cats, dogs, raccoons, and many other animals can carry the disease. If a horse becomes infected, the disease will always lead to death. If your horse is unvaccinated and there is any suspicion of a rabies transmission, the horse must be completely quarantined for six months. If you horse is vaccinated and bitten, a booster shot must be given within 5 days.
Strangles is another respiratory tract infection that affects horses. The cause is a bacterium known as streptococcus equi. This bacterium causes a fever, rapid breathing, uneasiness and eventually cold like symptoms. There is a vaccine available, but it is not a necessary vaccination. Treatment for a horse with strangles requires fresh water, rest, light feed and protection from any draft or wind. Because there are so many strains of respiratory infections and bacterium, it is always advised to keep a new horse separate from the herd to prevent contamination.
The last disease to vaccinate your horse for is Tetanus. Tetanus is also commonly called lockjaw. The tetanus bacteria can live in dirt, rust, and many other air-deprived areas. Contraction happens when the horse comes in contact with the bacteria through a wound. The bacteria then enter the horse’s bloodstream where it can cause stiff muscles, heightened sensitivity, flaring of the nostrils, and stiff legs. Eventually the muscles throughout the horse’s body will become stiff and prevent the horse from eating and drinking. If infected, the horse will die from the muscles tightening throughout its body. Humans can also be infected, so vaccinations are equally important for the horse owner as is the horse.
As a horse owner you are responsible for consulting your horse’s veterinarian to ensure proper diseases are vaccinated for. Vaccinations are relatively cheap when you consider the cost of the results of your horse contracting one of these devastating diseases.
