Vaccinations
Vaccinations protect your horse against life-threatening diseases such as tetanus, and diseases that can severely affect their health and performance, such as equine influenza (flu).
VACCINATIONS
Horses are most commonly vaccinated against influenza and tetanus, however other vaccinations such as equine herpesvirus (EHV), equine rotavirus, equine viral arteritis (EVA) and strangles are also available.
Vaccination is the only proven method of protecting against tetanus and equine influenza; there is no specific cure for them and treatment may be not only unsuccessful but also extremely expensive.
VACCINATIONS AT OAKHILL
We offer various vaccination programmes for equines, the most common are tetanus and the combined flu & tetanus:
Flu & tetanus combined
There is an initial ‘primary’ course of 3 vaccinations
- The first, when your horse is 6 months or older.
- Followed by a second vaccine 4 weeks (manufacturer guidelines) or 21-60 days (Jockey Club rules) after the first .
- Then a 3rd vaccine 5 months (manufacturer guidelines) or 120-160 days (Jockey Club rules) after the 2nd.
Following this your horse should have a 6 or 12 month (depending on governing body*) booster vaccination – this will alternate between flu and flu & tetanus combined.
Tetanus only
The primary course for this consists of 2 vaccines:
- When your horse is 6 months or older.
- 4 weeks after the first
After this your horse should have another vaccine 17 months later, followed by the vaccine every other year.
Other vaccinations
Your horse can also be vaccinated against equine herpesvirus (EHV), equine rotavirus, equine viral arteritis (EVA) and Strangles. Speak to your vet to find out more!
*Please note: VACCINATION RULES DIFFER BETWEEN ORGANISATIONS AND VENUES. It is the OWNERS RESPONSIBILTY to ensure that the horse or pony’s vaccinations are up to date and comply with requirements.
OUR EQUINE CARE PLANS INCLUDE ANNUAL VACCINATIONS…FIND OUT MORE
VACCINATION PROTOCOL AGAINST INFLUENZA AND TETANUS
Although the primary course consists of three vaccinations, horses are considered safe to compete seven days after the second vaccine dose. It is important your horse has its annual booster vaccination within 365 days of its previous booster otherwise the whole course will need to be re-started.
- first vaccination (from five months of age)
- second vaccination 21-60 days later
- third vaccination 120 –160 days after the second vaccination (five to seven months)
- BHA (racing) rules – every 6 months
- British eventing/show jumping/ endurance – boosters at intervals of not more than one year
- FEI rules – last booster within six calendar months +21 days of the day of FEI event
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW…
- influenza affects health and performance
- influenza is very infectious
- outbreaks of influenza are minimised by extensive vaccination
- tetanus is usually fatal
- treatment of tetanus is usually unsuccessful
- vaccination is the primary way to protect your horse against these diseases
- annual vaccinations are a good time for a yearly health check with your vet
You can come into Oakhill for your vaccinations or we can come to you. If you have a routine yard visit then there will be no visit fee!
Book your vaccination