Tetanus Toxoid
Usually combined in 3-way or 4-way or given by itself.  A bacterium, Clostridium Tetani, causes the disease Tetanus by secreting a neurotoxin.
Foals/WeanlingsYearlingsPerformancePleasureBroodmares
Non-Vaccinated Dam
First dose: 3-4 months
Second dose: 4-5 months
Third dose: 5-6 months

 

Vaccinated Dam
First dose: 6 months
Second dose: 7 months

Third dose: 8-9 months

AnnuallyAnnuallyAnnuallyAnnually
Comments: Booster at time of penetrating injury or surgery if last dose not administered within 6 months This vaccine should not be confused with Tetanus Antitoxin (TAT), a serum to treat imminent Tetanus. Do not use TAT without the direct supervision of a veterinarian.
Encephalomyelitis (EEE,WEE,VEE)
Combined in 3-way or 4-way.  A disease of neural tissue caused by an alphavirus. A zoonotic disease.
Foals/WeanlingsYearlingsPerformancePleasureBroodmares
EEE (high-risk areas)

First dose: 3-4 months
Second dose: 4-5 months
Third dose: 5-6 months

Annually – SpringAnnually – SpringAnnually – SpringAnnually – 4 to 6 weeks prepartum.
WEE, EEE (low-risk areas), VEE

Non-Vaccinated Dam
First dose: 3-4 months
Second dose: 4-5 months
Third dose: 5-6 months

Vaccinated Dam

First dose: 6 months

Second dose: 7 months

Third dose: 8 months

Annually – Spring

 

Annually – Spring

 

Annually – Spring

 

Annually – Spring

 

Comments: 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 EEE is a more severe virus than WEE.

Influenza   – very contagious ! –
Combined in a 4-way, with Rhino or by itself as Intra-Nasal or Intra-Muscular.  A respiratory disease caused by the Influenza virus.
Foals/WeanlingsYearlingsPerformancePleasureBroodmares
Inactivated Injectable:

Non-Vaccinated Dam
First dose: 6 months
Second dose: 7 months
Third dose: 8 months

Vaccinated Dam
First dose: 9 months
Second dose: 10 months
Third dose: 11-12 months

Then at 3-month intervals

Every 3-4 monthsEvery 3-4 monthsAnnually with added boosters prior to likely exposureAt least semiannually, with 1 booster 4-6 weeks prepartum

Intra-Nasal Modified Live Virus:

First dose: 11 months

Every 6 months
Every 6 months
Every 6 months
Annually before breeding (see comments)

Comments: A series of at least 3 doses is recommended for primary immunization of foals. Immunity seems to be short-lived in the adult.

The Intranasal vaccine is not recommended for pregnant mares until the data is 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.

Equine Herpes Virus, Rhinopneumonitis, (EHV-1 and EHV-4)

Alone, w/Influenza or a 5-Way combination.  A disease caused by the Herpes virus.  Respiratory (EHV-1 or EHV-4), Abortion (EHV-1), or Neurologic (EHV-1).

Foals/Weanlings

Yearlings

Performance

Pleasure

Broodmares

First dose: 4-6 months
Second dose: 5-7 months
Third dose: 6-8 months
Then at 3-month intervals
Every 3-4 monthsEvery 3-4 months– Optional –

Semiannually

if elected

Third, fifth, seventh, and ninth month of gestation (inactivated EHV-1 vaccine)

Comments: Vaccination of mares before breeding and 4-6 weeks prepartum is suggested. Breeding stallions should be vaccinated before the breeding season and semiannually.  The Neurologic form is uncommon and is caused by only certain strains of EHV-1. Not fully understood.

Strangles   – very contagious ! –

An abscessing disease of the upper respiratory lymph nodes caused by the bacteria Streptococcus equi.

Foals/WeanlingsYearlingsPerformancePleasureBroodmares
Injectable:

First dose: 4-6 months
Second dose: 5-7 months
Third dose: 7-8 months
(depending on product used)
Fourth dose: 12 months

Semiannually– Optional –

Semiannually

if risk is high

– Optional –

Semiannually

if risk is high

Semiannually with 1 dose of inactivated M-protein vaccine 4-6 weeks prepartum
Intra-Nasal:

First dose: 11 months
Second dose: 12 months
May want 6-9 months if endemic area

Semiannually– Optional –

Semiannually

if risk is high

– Optional –

Semiannually

if risk is high

Semiannually with 1 dose of inactivated M-protein vaccine 4-6 weeks prepartum

Comments: 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, but a 3rd dose should be administered before weaning.

Rabies

A deadly neurologic disease caused by a Rhabdovirus.  A zoonotic disease.

Foals/WeanlingsYearlingsPerformancePleasureBroodmares
Non-Vaccinated Dam
First dose: 3-4 months
Second dose: 12 months
AnnuallyAnnuallyAnnuallyAnnually before breeding
Vaccinated Dam
First dose: 6 months
Second dose: 7 months
Third dose: 12 months
AnnuallyAnnuallyAnnuallyA dose 4-6 weeks prepartum.

This can be the  annual vaccination

Comments: Vaccination recommended in endemic areas.  Do not use modified-live-virus vaccines in horses.  This vaccine is very immunogenic (Excellent Response).

Potomac Horse Fever

A toxic, diarrheal disease caused by the Rickettsia, Ehrlichia risticii.

Foals/WeanlingsYearlingsPerformancePleasureBroodmares
First dose: 5-6 months
Second dose: 6-7 months
SemiannuallySemiannuallySemiannuallySemiannually with 1 dose 4-6 weeks prepartum

Comments: Booster during May to June in endemic areas. Vaccine is not very effective.

Botulism (Shaker Foal Syndrome)

A potent toxin-based disease produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum.

Foals/WeanlingsYearlingsPerformancePleasureBroodmares
Vaccinated Dam

3-dose series at 30-day intervals starting at 2-3 months of age

N/AN/AN/AInitial 3-dose series at 30-day intervals with last dose 4-6 weeks prepartum.

Annually thereafter,  4-6 weeks prepartum.

Comments: Only in endemic areas. A third dose administered 4-6 weeks after the second dose may improve the response of foals to primary immunization.

Equine Viral Arteritis

A contagious viral disease causing abortion and foal death.  Stallions can be carriers.

Foals/WeanlingsYearlingsPerformancePleasureBroodmares
One dose at 6-12 months of age for intact colts intended to be breeding stallions.Annually for colts intended to be breeding stallionsAnnually for colts intended to be breeding stallionsAnnually for colts intended to be breeding stallionsAnnually for seronegative, open mares before breeding to carrier stallions.

Isolate mares for 21 days after breeding to carrier stallion.

Comments: Annual for breeding stallions and teasers, 28 days before start of breeding season; virus may be shed in semen for up to 21 days. Vaccinated mares do not develop clinical signs even though they become transiently infected and may shed virus for a short time.

Vaccination Schedule for Adult Horses Printer-Friendly Format