Equine vaccinations: the basics

Vaccination is one of the best ways to keep your horse healthy. But which vaccinations are necessary?

Every horse needs what are called core vaccinations to protect against highly contagious and often fatal diseases. These include rabies, tetanus, West Nile virus and equine encephalitis. In contrast, risk-based vaccinations may be recommended based on location, activities and exposure risk. Some examples include vaccination against influenza, rhinopneumonitis or Strep equi [Strĕp EE-kwee].

Be sure to follow a vaccination schedule recommended by your veterinarian. Annual rabies vaccinations are the rule, while other core vaccines are generally administered twice a year. The timing of risk-based vaccinations depends in large part on your horse’s exposure risk.