When should I vaccinate my horse?
Short answer
Vaccination should follow veterinary guidelines and be adjusted based on risk factors for your horse related to their environment, health and lifestyle. The AAEP classifies vaccines as core (recommended for most horses) and risk-based (dependent on region, exposure, and travel). A vaccination program should be developed in consultation with a licensed veterinarian (AAEP).
Real-Life Example
One horse lives at home with no travel and no other horses coming in or out, so has a low risk profile and may require minimal vaccines. A horse that is boarded where other horses are shown regularly and are exposed to horses from multiple states has a higher risk profile and may require more vaccines.
It Depends
Vaccination schedules vary based on:
• Travel frequency
• Exposure to horses that are shown or have spent time with horses from other states and regions
• Boarding or herd size
• Regional disease prevalence
• Age
• Pregnancy status
• Consequences of the disease
Vaccine decisions should reflect actual exposure risk.
When to Seek Guidance
If you don’t have a vaccination plan in place, or if you’re unsure about:
• Regional disease prevalence
• Timing for boosters
• Young, senior, or immunocompromised horses
Work directly with your veterinarian. Vaccination plans are medical decisions.
Sources:
Paillot, R., Marcillaud Pitel, C., D'Ablon, X., & Pronost, S. (2017). Equine Vaccines: How, When and Why?
AAEP - Adult Horse Vaccination Guidelines
