Horse Vaccinations

Every horse needs regular vaccinations. Different vaccinations are required by law in different areas so you’ll need to find out from your vet or other horse owners what vaccinations are required in your state. Here’s an overview of some of the most common vaccinations that are required for horses:

Tetanus – Tetanus shots are required for horses just about everywhere and even if they are not required, your horse should always be current on its Tetanus vaccination. This vaccine is given yearly.

EE/WEE – This stands for the Eastern or Western Equine Encephalomyelitis vaccine. This is also called Sleeping Sickness. Sleeping Sickness is a virus borne illness that causes inflammation of the spinal cord and brain. All horses should have the EE/WEE vaccine given once a year, but if you live in Texas, Arizona, California, or New Mexico you should vaccinate your horse against EE/WEE every six months.

Rabies – Every horse needs a yearly rabies vaccine. Most places require it by law to keep a horse.

West Nile – West Nile is a virulent form of Encephalomyelitis spread by mosquitoes. Horses should be vaccinated against West Nile twice a year.

Equine Flu – Horses are particularly susceptible to this equine form of the flu. It often spreads rapidly in stables so horses should be vaccinated every four to six months. Often, the vet will use a nasal vaccine for Equine Flu, which is easier on the horses than a shot.

Rhinopneumonitis – Rhino is a form of herpes. It’s very contagious. Rhino is a respiratory illness that can be very serious or even deadly. If your horse is being boarded in a stable with other horses you will probably be required to get a Rhino vaccination for your horse every two to four months.

Since horse vaccinations need to be given at different times and in different ways, it can be confusing trying to stay on top of what vaccines your horse has had and what vaccines your horse needs.

If you want to keep better track of your horse’s vaccination schedule, it’s helpful if you can get on a schedule with the other horse owners in the stable. If you all are vaccinating on the same schedule the vet can come out at set times and give all the horses in the barn the same vaccinations. This is how most boarding stables do vaccinations.