Vaccinations

Vaccinations protect your horse against life threatening diseases such as tetanus and diseases that can severely affect its health and performance, such as equine influenza (flu) and herpes virus infection.

Vaccination is the only proven method of protecting against these diseases: there is no specific cure for them and treatment may not only be unsuccessful but extremely expensive.

The organism which causes tetanus, Clostridium tetani, lives in the soil, and is rife in some areas. It enters tissues through wounds, and horses are particularly susceptible. If a horse has not been immunised, it is likely to need a shot of tetanus antitoxin for even minor wounds or when it undergoes a surgical procedure. The organism thrives without oxygen: it can enter a small puncture wound, such as a nail or thorn prick, which may well go unnoticed. Even when antitoxin is given, the often fatal disease can take hold. Only vaccination provides long term protection against this happening.

Equine Influenza (flu) is a respiratory virus that spreads very easily from horse to horse. It causes the horse to be lethargic for several weeks, and signs often include a nasal discharge, fever and coughing. Equine Influenza outbreaks are still regular occurrences in the UK, and the only reason that they remain confined to a small area is because so many horses and ponies are now vaccinated. We particularly recommend ‘flu vaccinations in all youngstock and older horses, all horses that mix with horses from other yards e.g. competing or hacking out, and all horses kept on yards with different horses arriving and leaving. Influenza vaccination is required for horses competing or going to training events under most governing bodies, e.g. riding and pony clubs, BSJA, BE, BD and under Jockey Club rules.

Equine herpesvirus is a common virus that occurs in horse populations worldwide. The two most common strains are EHV-1, which causes abortion, respiratory disease and paralysis, and EHV-4, which usually causes respiratory disease only but can occasionally cause abortion.
EHV abortion can occur from two weeks to several months following infection with the virus. It usually occurs in late pregnancy (from eight months onwards) but can happen as early as four months. Respiratory disease caused by EHV is most common in weaned foals and yearlings, often in autumn and winter. However, older horses can succumb and are more likely than younger ones to transmit the virus without showing signs of infection. Although EHV-1 causes outbreaks of abortion, EHV-4 has only been associated with single incidents and is not considered a risk for contagious abortions.

These diseases have not been eradicated in the UK: your horse might come into contact with them. Following the primary course of vaccinations, booster vaccinations are an effective way of 'topping up' a horse's immunity thereby minimising the risk of disease when challenged by natural infection.