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The All-Arounder, Issue #009 -- Horse Shots - What You Need For Fall
October 02, 2009

The All Arounder: Issue #009

Horse Shots - What You Need For The Fall Season

October 2009

Welcome!

The All Arounder is the official monthly newsletter of the Stock Horse Show Source website. Author Lynn Espinoza is the main editor for both the website and this newsletter. With this issue stay up to date with news from the site and horse industry, hot tips for showing and caring for your horse, and "members only" specials!

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The All-Arounder Table Of Contents

1. Inspiration For The Month
2. News & Updates
3. Horse Show Spotlight New!
4. In This Issue: Horse Shots - What You Need For The Fall Season
5. Tip Of The Month
6. The Next Issue




Inspiration For The Month

A horse is the projection of peoples' dreams about themselves - strong, powerful, beautiful - and it has the capability of giving us escape from our mundane existence ~ Pam Brown




News & Updates

Site News!:
Check out some of our most recent articles!




Horse Show Spotlight

September 2009


October 2009


November 2009




Fall Shots - Why Are These Vaccinations Important?

It’s that time of year, fall shots are an important piece in your routine equine veterinary care. If you are new to horse ownership or if you've recently relocated with your horse, you may wonder which shots you need in the fall season and why they are important.

Routine veterinary care is very important to the overall health and well being of your horse. Below we have outlined the vaccinations that are recommended for your horse during the fall season and why you should have your horse vaccinated.



The Shots You Need

Determining the shots you need for your horse really depends on how high the risk of exposure is to your horse. Most horse owners elect to do most of the core and risk-based shots each year in the spring.

When you are considering what you might need for fall shots you first want to contact your veterinarian for his/her recommendations based on your horse's age, environment, and uses. There is no such thing as a standardized vaccination program, it varies between horses.

Only your vet can determine which shots are appropriate for your horse. For the purpose of this article we will be referencing the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) for their vaccination guidelines.

Here are a few "risk-based" vaccinations that the AAEP references as recommended for dosing semi-annually based on the risk level to your horse which is determined by your veterinarian.

Equine Herpes virus (Rhinopneumonitis): A virus that infects the respiratory tract consisting of two types, 2 and 4. The equine herpes virus (EHV-1 and EHV-4) is spread through the air. infected horses may demonstrate a combination of symptoms including fever, fatigue, cough, or nasal discharge. There are two types of this equine vaccine: inactivated and modified live.

The inactivated equine vaccine comes in a variety of forms to be administered. Vaccines can target protection against respiratory disease only or both respiratory disease and abortion protection. The modified-live vaccine (MLV) has demonstrated superior protection from disease, but research has not clinically compared it to the inactivated forms.

Foals: Vaccinate first at 4-6 months, second at 5-7 months, third at 6-8 months, and then every 3 months.
Yearlings: Every 3-4 months to annually.
Working Horses: Every 3-4 months to annually.
Broodmares: During the 5th, 7th, and 9th month of pregnancy. Also recommended to vaccinate before breeding and 4-6 weeks before foaling.

Equine Influenza: A very common infectious disease of the horse's respiratory system. It is present in equine populations worldwide and infections occur sporadically. Horses having regular social interaction with other horses should always have equine vaccines to prevent the spread of this disease. It is highly contagious and spreads rapidly among groups of horses.

This equine vaccine comes in three varieties including inactivated, modified-live cold-adapted, and canary pox vector. The inactivated vaccine contains multiple strains of influenza. They require either a 2-3 dose series depending on what your veterinarian recommends. The modified-live vaccine is given in intranasal form and has been proven to be very safe and effective. The vaccine protects for one year. The canary pox vector is administered in the muscle as a shot and provides 6 months of protection. There is a two-dose primary series followed by boosters every 6 months.

Foals: For the inactivated equine vaccine and from an unvaccinated mare, foals should be vaccinated first at 6 months, second at 7 months, third at 8 months, and then every 3 months. From a vaccinated mare a foal can be vaccinated first at 9 months, second at 10 months, third at 11-12 months, and then every 3 months. For the modified-live vaccine, a foal should be vaccinated first at 11 months.
Yearlings: Vaccinated every 3-4 months to every 6 months.
Working Horses: Vaccinate every 3-4 months to every 6 months
Broodmares: Vaccinate annually with boosters added before higher risk times of year every 6 months.

Strangles (Streptococcus equi): Caused by a streptococcus bacterium that is highly contagious among horses. Common in younger horses, but affects horses of all ages. It is spread direct contact or indirectly. Symptoms of infection include fever, difficulty swallowing or eating, and nasal discharge. Vaccine types include a killed vaccine and MLV.

The killed vaccine does not always prevent the disease, but have been shown to reduce a horse's risk by 50%. The MLV is given in intranasal form and shown to provide high levels of immunity.

Foals: First at 4-6 months, second at 5-7 months, third at 7-8 months, and fourth at 12 months.
Yearlings: Two times per years
Working Horses: Twice per year if at higher risk.
Broodmares: Twice per year with one dose (M-protein vaccine) provided 4-6 weeks before foaling.

For more information on vaccination guidelines please visit:
http://www.aaep.org/vaccination_guidelines.htm



Why Vaccinate

Equine vaccines are a vital part of responsible horse ownership. It is important that you maintain an up to date immunization program to help protect your horse from contracting any life threatening diseases. Vaccinating will also help keep your horse from transmitting the disease to other horses. Common equine vaccines are used to protect from rabies, strangles, tetanus, influenza, and encephalomyelitis.

You are providing your horse protection from some of the fatal and damaging symptoms that occur with the spread of these diseases. Sickness and disease spreads just as easily among horse populations as certain contagious disease spreads among human populations. For information on what should be included in your current immunization program and which equine vaccines you should use, please consult your veterinarian.

This article is for informational purposes only and SHOULD NOT replace that of your veterinarian or equine practioner.



Tip of The Month

If you're new to horse shows, spend some time at one before hauling a horse




Next Issue

Horse Show Spotlight: 2009 All American Quarter Horse Congress
Feature Article: Helpful Horse Blanketing Tips




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