What Shots does your Horse Need? A Yearly Vaccine Schedule

When it comes to Northwest horse health, there are some shots your horse has to have- and if you don't, you run the risk of an astronomical vet bill- or worse. This blog is based off Zoetis' recommendations for yearly equine vaccinations if you need info on deworming schedules for your horse, click here... and if you need to buy dewormer or other equine supplements, click here.

And now, without further ado, here's the yearly equine vaccination shot list- but remember this list is for horses that are ALREADY up to date. There's a DIFFERENT list for new horses.

Your Horse Needs These Shots/Vaccinations Yearly 

1. Equine Encephalomyelitis (Two Types)

 a. Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE) Spread by mosquitoes, symptoms include drowsiness, drooping ears, wandering, circling in pen/paddock for no reason, inability to swallow and stilted or abnormal gait. Mortality rate for horses infected with EEV: 70-90% 

b. Western Equine Encephalomyelitis (WEE) Also transmitted by mosquitoes, this disease is frequently fatal to horses. Symptoms include: ataxia (which means stumbling or abnormal gait), circling, head pressing- these symptoms often lead to paralysis and death. 

2. Influenza due to type A2

   Among the most common of equine diseases, the flu virus causes dry coughing and nasal discharge among other symptoms. If your horse never comes in contact with other horses, you may not need it. If your horse DOES come into contact with other horses- you need it. 

3. Rhino pneumonitis [also called Equine Herpesvirus EHV-1 & EHV-4]

   Spread by infected horses, this is a respiratory tract infection with characteristic symptoms that include fever, anorexia, nasal discharge and cough. 

4. Tetanus

   This bacteria is found in the soil everywhere as spores. If your horse is injured, even a small cut, these spores can infect the area and produce a potent neurotoxin that will lead to muscle spasms and potentially fatal complications. 

5. West Nile

   Transmitted by mosquitoes, this disease causes arbovirus encephalitis which exhibits as lack of coordination/stumbling (ataxia), weakness in the hind-end, muscle twitching and sometimes their lower lip will droop (called flaccid paralysis). 

You can usually get what's called a "5-way" (EEE & WEE are combined) vaccine that protects against all of these "core" diseases. Ours are available at all North 40 Outfitters locations.

Remember these are only recommendations, and even with your horse being current on shots, there's still a whole host of "at risk" diseases you need to be aware of including foremost among them, the rabies vaccination.

Rabies is also a recommended vaccination shot for your horse, but you'll want to check with your local vet as state laws pertaining to rabies injections vary widely.

When to Administer Booster Shots and other "At Risk" Vaccines to your Horse

Additionally, if your horse is not up to date on shots, there is a different vaccination schedule that usually involves a two dose series of the same inoculations listed above (including a booster shot usually 4-6 weeks after the initial vaccination), but you'll need to consult with a veterinarian to be sure you have selected the right shots. 

If your horse is at risk for diseases- i.e. if they will be traveling for rodeo or show season, or if you keep them at a boarding facility- even if they will be in an area with other horses, then you need to consider "at-risk" vaccines like anthrax, botulism, strangles and other diseases.

Now that you know WHAT shots you need for your horse, here's an easy article describing How to Administer Yearly Vaccines to your Horse.