Influenza

Horses that mix with other horses should be protected against equine flu.   If you compete or show your horse then most organisations require them to be vaccinated.   The most common timing for vaccinations is as follows:

• 1st Vaccination - Day 1
• 2nd Vaccination - Day 21 to 92
• 3rd Vaccination - Day 150 to 215
• Thereafter annual boosters

Other Vaccinations

Tetanus

Initial vaccination should start at 4 months of age with a follow up 4-6 weeks later followed by a booster 1 year later and thereafter every 3 years. There is slight variation depending on the vaccine used.

Pregnant mares should get a booster 6 weeks before foaling to protect the foal in its first 4 months.

In adults the vaccine is usually combined with the flu vaccine.

Strangles

There has always been sporadic cases of strangles but recently it appears to have been on the increase. This year was particularly bad at the Hawick ride-outs.

There is now a vaccine available. A small dose is injected into the horses hip.

Equine Herpes I Virus

This virus causes respiratory symptoms, slight fever, coughing, nasal discharge and rarely abortion and paralysis.

There is a vaccine available which requires 2 initial injections 6 weeks apart followed by 6 monthly boosters.