Vax to relax
Date: 1 May 2025
Vaccines work by stimulating the body to produce antibodies – this means a faster immune response when challenged by the real thing, helping to protect your horse from potentially life-threatening infections.
Tetanus is a core vaccine recommended for every horse. The bacterium Clostridium tetani is found in the soil and can contaminate wounds. It produces a neurotoxin that leads to severe muscle tremors, recumbency and death.
Vaccination course – 2 doses, 1 month apart, with a third dose in a year. Boosters are recommended every 1-3 years.
If your horse is wounded and is not covered with a previous vaccination, it is important to contact your vet for advice. This may include the tetanus anti-toxin, which provides two weeks of protection.
Strangles is an important vaccination if your horse, or others on the property travel frequently. Streptococcus equi equi is a highly contagious bacterial disease that often causes outbreaks, it spreads by direct contact, through the air, and by shared items. Clinical signs often include fever, nasal discharge, and swollen lymph nodes under the jaw. If you suspect this disease, contact your vet, and keep the horse isolated.
Vaccination course - 3 doses, 2-week apart, then yearly boosters, usually given with tetanus.
Equine Herpes Virus (EHV 1 and 4) vaccination is also strongly recommended, especially for horses competing or breeding. It is a contagious viral disease that, once contracted, stays dormant until stressful periods. Typically, it causes respiratory infections, but can cause abortion in mares, and rarely, fatal neurological disease.
Vaccination course - 2 doses, 1 month apart, with 6 monthly boosters.
Broodmare vaccination checklist:
- Tetanus 4-6 weeks before foaling date. If the mare is unvaccinated, it is highly recommended to give the foal a tetanus antitoxin.
- Strangles 4-6 weeks before foaling date.
- If not previously vaccinated for these, they will need a primary course to ensure the foal receives protection through the antibodies in the mare’s colostrum.
- EHV at 5, 7, and 9 months of gestation to decrease the risk of Herpes abortion.
Foal vaccinations are recommended from 3 months of age—ideally complete initial vaccination course before weaning, as this can be a stressful period.
Dr Alana Mockett BVSc
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