Groton City Animal Hospital
The schedule below is a suggested vaccination schedule
provided by the American Association of Equine Practitioners, and is based on
generally accepted veterinary practices. Infectious disease control programs in
conjunction with vaccination are important in maximizing the health,
productivity and performance of your horse. Your veterinarian can help design a
health
management program to
reduce exposure to infectious disease agents in
your horse’s environment and lessen the incidence of illness. Disease control
programs should be tailored to your individual needs with consideration given to
ages, types, activities and number of horses in your program. You should
consult
with your veterinarian regarding the specific needs of your horse.
| Disease/vaccine | Foals/weanlings | Yearlings | Performance Horses | Pleasure Horses | Broodmares | Comments |
| Tetanus toxoid |
From nonvaccinated
mare: First dose: 3 to 4 months Second
dose: 4 to 5 months From vaccinated mare : First dose: 6 months Second dose: 7 months Third dose: 8 to 9 months |
Annual | Annual | Annual | Annual, 4 to 6 weeks prepartum | Booster at time of penetrating injury or surgery if last dose not administered within 6 months |
| Disease/vaccine | Foals/weanlings | Yearlings | Performance Horses | Pleasure Horses | Broodmares | Comments |
|
Encephalomyelitis (EEE, WEE, VEE) |
EEE: (in high-risk
areas) First dose: 3 to 4 months Second
dose: 4 to 5 months Third dose: 5 to 6 months WEE, EEE (in low-risk areas) and VEE: From nonvaccinated mare: First dose: 3 to 4 months Second dose: 4 to 5 months Third dose: 5 to 6 months From vaccinated mare: First dose: 6 months Second dose: 7 months Third dose: 8 months |
Annual, spring Annual, spring |
Annual, spring Annual, spring |
Annual, spring Annual, spring |
Annual, 4 to 6 weeks prepartum Annual, 4 to 6 weeks prepartum |
In endemic areas booster EEE and WEE every 6 months; VEE only needed when threat of exposure; VEE may only be available as a combination vaccine with EEE and WEE. |
| Disease/vaccine | Foals/weanlings | Yearlings | Performance Horses | Pleasure Horses | Broodmares | Comments |
| Rabies | Foals born to non-vaccinated mares: First dose: 3 to 4 months Second dose: 12 months Foals born to vaccinated mares: First dose: 6 months Second dose 7 months. Third dose: 12 months. | Annual | Annual | Annual | Annual, can be done before breeding and should be boostered 4 to 6 weeks prepartum. | Vaccination recommended in endemic areas. Do not use modified-live-virus vaccines in horses. |
| Disease/vaccine | Foals/weanlings | Yearlings | Performance Horses | Pleasure Horses | Broodmares | Comments |
| Influenza |
Inactivated injectable:
From nonvaccinated mare: First dose: 6 months Second dose: 7 months
Third dose: 8 months Then at 3-month intervals From vaccinated mare:
First dose: 9 months Second dose: 10 months Third dose: 11 to 12 months
Then at 3-month intervals Intranasal modified live virus : First dose: 11 months; has been safely administered to foals less than 11 months - see comments |
Every 3 to 4 months Every 6 months |
Every 3 to 4 months Every 6 months |
Annual with added boosters prior to
likely exposure
Every 6 months |
At least semiannual, with 1 booster
4 to 6 weeks prepartum,
Annual before breeding (see comments) |
A series of at least 3 doses is recommended for primary immunization of foals. Not recommended for pregnant mares until data available. Use inactivated vaccine for prepartum booster. If first dose is administered to foals less than 11 months of age, administer 2nd dose at or after 11 months of age. |
| Disease/vaccine | Foals/weanlings | Yearlings | Performance Horses | Pleasure Horses | Broodmares | Comments |
|
Rhinopneumonitis (EHV-1 and EHV-4) |
First dose: 4 to 6 months Second dose: 5 to 7 months Third dose: 6 to 8 months Recommend modified live virus vaccine. |
Booster every 3 to 4 months up to annually. Recommend modified live virus vaccine. | Optional: use modified live virus vaccine. | Optional: Not recommended at this time. |
Fifth, seventh, ninth month of gestation (inactivated EHV-1 vaccine);
optional dose at third month of gestation if high exposure risk. |
Vaccination of mares before breeding and 4 to 6 weeks prepartum is suggested. Breeding stallions should be vaccinated before the breeding season. |
| Disease/vaccine | Foals/weanlings | Yearlings | Performance Horses | Pleasure Horses | Broodmares | Comments |
| West Nile Virus |
First dose: 4 to 6 months. Second dose: 1 month later (plus 3rd dose at 6 months in endemic areas). Intervet product -
(Prevenile) |
Annual booster, prior to expected risk. Vaccinate semi-annually, depending on risk. | Annual booster, prior to expected risk. Vaccinate semi-annually, depending on risk. | Annual booster, prior to expected risk. Vaccinate semi-annually, depending on risk. | Annual, 4 to 6 weeks prepartum. | Annual booster is after primary series. In endemic areas, booster as required or warranted due to local conditions conducive to disease risk. Vaccinate semi-annually, depending on risk and vaccine type. |
| Disease/vaccine | Foals/weanlings | Yearlings | Performance Horses | Pleasure Horses | Broodmares | Comments |
| Strangles |
Injectable: First
dose: 4 to 6 months Second dose: 5 to 7 months Third dose: 7 to 8 months
(depending on the product used) Fourth dose: 12 months
Intranasal: First dose: 6 to 9 months. |
Optional: Semi-annual if risk is high. | Optional: semi-annual if risk is high. | Optional: semi-annual if risk is high. | Intranasal product can be used in pregnant mares. In high risk situations, 1 dose of inactivated M-protein vaccine 4 to 6 weeks prepartum | Vaccines containing M-protein extract may be less reactive than whole-cell vaccines. Use when endemic conditions exist or risk is high. Foals as young as 6 weeks-of-age may safely receive the intranasal product. A second dose should be administered 2 to 4 weeks prior to weaning. |
| Disease/vaccine | Foals/weanlings | Yearlings | Performance Horses | Pleasure Horses | Broodmares | Comments |
| Potomac Horse Fever | First dose: 5 to 6 months Second dose: 6 to 7 months in endemic areas. | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional: 1 dose 4 to 6 weeks prepartum | Booster during May to June in endemic areas. |
| Disease/vaccine | Foals/weanlings | Yearlings | Performance Horses | Pleasure Horses | Broodmares | Comments |
|
Equine Viral Arteritis ***EVA-SN (blood titer) negative before first vaccine given. |
Intact colts intended to be used for breeding stallions: single dose at 6 to 12 months of age. | Annual for colts intended to be breeding stallions. | Annual for colts intended to be breeding stallions. | Annual for colts intended to be breeding stallions. | DO NOT USE IN PREGNANT MARES!! Annual for seronegative, open mares before breeding to carrier stallions; isolate mare for 21 days after breeding to carrier stallion. | Annual for breeding stallions and teasers 28 days before start of breeding season; virus may be shed in semen for up to 21 days. |
*As with administration of all medications, the label and product insert should be read before administration of all vaccines.
Schedules for stallions should be consistent with the vaccination program of the adult horse population on the farm and modified according to risk.
EEE=eastern equine encephalomyelitis
VEE=Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis
WEE=western equine encephalomyelitis
EHV-1=equine herpes virus type
Groton City Animal Hospital
794 Cortland Rd. (Rte. 222)
Groton, NY 13073
(607)898-4482