Tetanus Vaccinations
We recommend that all horses are vaccinated for tetanus as a minimum. This involves an initial course of two vaccinations, followed by booster vaccination every two to three years. Tetanus is a horrible yet preventable disease so don’t leave your horse at risk! Mares should also have a booster a month before foaling in order to pass on some protection to the foal.
Equine Influenza Vaccinations
We recommend that horses which are in proximity with or mix with other horses are also vaccinated for equine influenza. This is an airborne disease so they do not have to mix directly to catch ‘flu’, and most competitions and events require competing animals to be vaccinated.
Most horses should be vaccinated according to Jockey Club rules. This means a course of three injections with the second injection 21-92 days after the first, and the third injection 150-215 days after the second, followed by yearly boosters.
Yearly boosters can be given ‘early’, but under competition rules those given late by even a single day will be invalid and a full new course must be given to comply.
FEI rules require a vaccination within six months of the competition, so horses competing at this level will require boosters every six months if they compete year round.
Please note many competitions and venues require vaccination within 6 months prior to any event.
It is the responsibility of the owner to ensure the horse’s vaccination programme complies with stated requirements.