Vaccinations

Equine influenza is a highly infectious respiratory virus, which although rarely fatal can cause high fever, nasal discharge and coughing.

We encourage all our clients to vaccinate against equine influenza.

To ensure a horse is fully covered against equine influenza, you need to check that they have had a primary course of three vaccinations and thereafter a yearly booster.

The vaccination protocol is outlined below.

• First vaccination.
• Second vaccination 21 to 92 days later (approximately four weeks after the first vaccination).
• Third vaccination 150 to 215 days later (approximately five months after the second vaccine).
• Thereafter annually (within 365 days of the third vaccine).

Equine influenza vaccination is a requirement of many competitive organisations, such as British Showjumping, British Eventing, Showing and Jockey Club.

It is also a requirement at local levels, for example at area Pony Club and Riding Club competitions, and at many livery yards and riding establishments.

The specific vaccination requirements vary across the different competition governing bodies e.g. FEI, BE, British Showjumping & British Horseracing.

It is your responsibility to review the rules as appropriate to the work you do with your horse and ensure your vaccination appointments are in line with these.

If your horse is not vaccinated in accordance with competition guidelines, you will not be able to compete and will be turned away from the competition venue.

Tetanus is a life threatening bacterial infection that can enter your horse’s blood stream via any wound. It is caused by bacteria found in soil.

Due to the high number of horses vaccinated against Tetanus, we rarely see it these days, however any unvaccinated horse is at risk.

Vaccination can be carried out separately or combined with the influenza vaccination. After a primary course, boosters are only required every other year.

Equine herpes (EHV) is an airborne virus which can cause a variety of disorders in the horse; upper respiratory tract infection, abortion in pregnant mares and, rarely, neurological disease.

The equine herpes virus (type one and four) vaccine provides protection against these viruses.

This protection is predominantly aimed at the respiratory and reproductive effects of the virus, as protection from the neurological effects is limited.

The EHV vaccine requires six-monthly boosters.

Pregnant mares requiring vaccination against equine herpes should be vaccinated at five, seven and nine months of pregnancy.

Please contact us on 01306 628222 to discuss your mare’s individual needs.