‘Tis the season! We are all beginning to resurface after being hunkered down all winter and now so are the insects. Soon the dreaded fly and mosquito season will be upon us all and they will be ready to drive everybody (livestock included) mad! Since we all adore our dearly beloved horses and want to protect them, it’s time to start talking about their Spring vaccinations!
First off, let’s clear the air and discuss what equine vaccinations are. When it comes to equine vaccines there are two categories: risk-based vaccines and core vaccines. I’ll give a brief description of both, but we’re mostly going to be talking about the core vaccines.
Some of the risk-based vaccines include Equine Influenza, Strangles, Equines Herpesvirus (Rhinopneumonitis), Potomac Horse Fever, Rotavirus, Leptospirosis, and you can even vaccinate for snake bites. That’s great for those of us who live in the arid deserts. However, these are all vaccines that not everybody needs. Depending on outside factors like your geographical location, traveling, and exposure will determine if your horse is a good fit for one or more of the risk-based vaccines. If they are, it’s typically recommended by a vet.
The core vaccines protect against Eastern and Western encephalitis (EEE, WEE), rabies, West Nile virus (WNV), and tetanus. These illnesses can be found virtually everywhere so it’s recommended to keep your horses up-to-date on these.
Out of those core vaccines, it’s recommended to administer Eastern and Western encephalitis also known as, “Easter and Western” and West Nile virus in the Spring every year. These ones protect against diseases spread by insects such as mosquitoes. As for tetanus and rabies, they should be given every year too, but it doesn’t necessarily matter what time of year as long as they stay on the same schedule.
I hope this has helped clear up any confusion about equine vaccines because I know it can be a difficult topic. I have been in the equestrian world since I was a small child and I still find myself researching equine vaccines to make sure I stay ahead of the game!
I sincerely enjoy hearing from each and every one of you so please don’t hesitate to reach out to me on my personal Instagram at @unbridledmama if you have any additional questions regarding your horse’s vaccines. As always, please take your vet’s recommendations over mine at all times.
