Vaccines are essential to keeping horses healthy and happy. Vaccines are designed to create immunity to certain diseases. Vaccinating your horse with these diseases can reduce the risk of your horse getting sick. And if your horse does get sick, the disease will be less severe and less contagious. Vaccines are made with a weak version of a specific disease, and when administered to your horse, it causes your horse’s body to form antibodies, protecting him from the disease.
What vaccines are available for my horse?
Equine vaccines are classified by the American Association of Equine Veterinarians (AAEP) as core or risk-based vaccines. Core vaccines are considered essential vaccines that all horses should receive, regardless of lifestyle or risk, because they pose a risk to all horses and can be fatal. Risk-based vaccines are vaccines that should be considered and discussed with your veterinarian based on your horse’s unique risk, geographic location, and lifestyle.
Core vaccines:
Risk-based vaccines:
Horse vaccination schedule
The table below lists the recommended vaccination schedule for adult horses after the first vaccination.
Core Vaccines
Eastern/Western Equine Encephalitis
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Frequency: Annually/spring, before vector season begins
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Consider a 6-month revaccination interval in high-risk settings or areas with high incidence
Rabies
tetanus
West Nile virus
- Frequency: Annually/spring, before mosquito season begins
Risk-Based Vaccines
Anthrax
Botulism
Equine Herpesvirus (EHV)
Equine viral arteritis (EVA)
Equine influenza
Leptospirosis
Potomac Horse Fever (PHF)
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Frequency: 6 months to once a year
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For horses in high-risk endemic areas, revaccination intervals of every 3 to 4 months may be recommended.
Rotavirus
- Breeding mares only: 3 doses during pregnancy
Snake bite
Strangles
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Frequency: Every 6 months to once a year depending on lifestyle risks
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Horses living at high risk include those competing for more than six months per year and those in boarding or training facilities. These horses should be vaccinated every six months.
Frequently Asked Questions about Horse Vaccinations
Is there a best time to get vaccinated?
It is generally recommended that vaccinations be administered in the spring before the riding season begins to give your horse the most protection, with some vaccines requiring a booster in the fall depending on your horse’s lifestyle and risk level.
Do show horses require additional vaccinations?
Yes, horses that are shown do need to receive additional vaccinations as they are at risk of contracting other diseases such as influenza and strangles through travel and exposure to new horses and facilities.
