Vaccinations

Most vaccinations are injected into the muscle. Vaccinations are used as a method of protecting your horse from common diseases. Horses and ponies in the UK are routinely vaccinated against equine influenza, tetanus, strangles and equine herpes viruses 1 and 4. Vaccination requires an initial course followed by booster doses, the time between these doses depends on the vaccine and disease.

Equine influenza

Equine influenza is a highly contagious respiratory infection associated with coughing and a fever. This infection spreads rapidly between unvaccinated horses and, although not usually life threatening, can lead to affected animals being rested for several weeks. Foals can begin their vaccinations when they are approximately five months of age.

Equine influenza vaccination time schedule:

1st Vaccination	From 4 months of age
2st Vaccination	21-92 days after first injection
3st Vaccination	150-215 days after second injection
Yearly Booster	Less than 365 days after last injection

Horses competing under FEI rules require boosters every 6 months. It is the owner's responsibility to ensure that these dates are adhered to. If any of the vaccinations are late the horse will have to re-start the vaccination course to be up to date.

Tetanus

Tetanus infection occurs when toxins from the bacteria, clostridium tetani, in the soil enters the animal via a wound, especially involving the foot. Tetanus infection is often fatal and is characterised by muscle stiffness, hyper-responsiveness to noise or touch and third eyelid prolapse. The initial course is two vaccinations with the second vaccination 4-6 weeks after the first. There then needs to be a third injection within a year of the second. Thereafter a booster every two years is required. Brood mares should have a booster 4-6 weeks before foaling to provide the foal with some protection from birth. Foals can start their own vaccination course from five months of age. Tetanus and influenza vaccinations are often given at the same time as most manufacturers produce a combination product. Horses will alternate each year between influenza vaccination on it's own and the combination vaccine, enabling yearly flu boosters and every other year tetanus vaccination.

Strangles

Vaccination against this respiratory infection caused by the bacteria, streptococcus equi, has been available since 2004 in the UK. The vaccination is given by injecting into the upper lip, producing some local swelling and pustule formation. Vaccination requires two doses 4 weeks apart followed by a booster every 3-6 months depending on the level of risk, this is assessed by the veterinary surgeon. Vaccination can start in foals from 4 months of age. The use of this vaccination is not usually recommended for widespread use and should only be used in yards where the risk of disease is considered high, due to previous outbreaks or frequent movements of horses on and off the yard.

Equine herpes virus