Princeton Veterinary Hospital

Horse Vaccinations

What Vaccinations does my Horse need?

The American Association of Equine Practices (AAEP) recommends a standard schedule of vaccines for your horses.

Foals should receive vaccinations for West Nile Virus. The first dose should occur at 3-4 months with a second dose following 1 month later (plus 3rd dose at 6 months in endemic area).They should also receive vaccines for Tetanus Toxoid. If your horse is from a non-vaccinated mare its first dose should be at 3-4 months with a second dose at 4-5 months. If your foal is from a vaccinated mare its first dose should be at 6 months, with a second dose at 7 months and a third dose at 8-9 months.

Foals should also be vaccinated for Encephalomyelitis (VEE, EEE, WEE). In high-risk areas, they should be vaccinated for EEE with the first dose occurring at 3 to 4 months and a second dose at 4 to 5 months and a third dose: 5 to 6 months. In low risk areas, vaccination depends on the vaccination of the mare. Foals from non-vaccinated mares should receive their first dose at 3 to 4 months followed by 2 more doses, each a month apart. Foals from vaccinated mares should receive their first dose at 6 months followed by 2 more doses at 7 & 8 months.

Foals can be vaccinated for influenza by an inactivated injectable vaccine.  Timing of vaccine by injection is determined by the vaccination of the mare. Foals from non-vaccinated mares should receive the first dose at 6 months followed by two more doses at 7 & 8 months, then moving to 3 month intervals. If your foal is from a vaccinated mare, it should receive its first dose at 9 months, its second at 10 months and its third at 11 to 12 months, then moving to 3-month intervals.

Rhinopneumonitis (EHV-1 and EHV-4) vaccines should be administered at 4 to 6 months with two more monthly doses and then at 3-month intervals.

Strangles is an injectable vaccine that should be administered first at 4 to 6 months followed by two more monthly doses (depending on the product used) with a fourth dose at 12 months.

Vaccinations of foals and weanlings for rabies depends on the vaccination of the mare. Foals born to non-vaccinated mares should receive a first dose at 3 to 4 months and a second dose: 12 months. Foals born to vaccinated mares should receive a first dose at 6 months, another at 7 months and a third dose at 12 months.

Potomac Horse Fever vaccines should be administered at 5-6 months with a follow-up a month later.

Intact colts intended to be breeding stallions should receive one vaccination for Equine Viral Arteritis at 6 to 12 months of age.

Yearlings require an annual booster for West Nile, Tetanus Toxoid and Rabies. Annual vaccinations for Encephalomyelitis (VEE, EEE, WEE) should be administered in the spring. Vaccination for Influenza & Rhinopneumonitis (EHV-1 and EHV-4) should occur annually. Potomac Horse Fever & Strangles vaccinations should occur semi-annually. Equine Viral Arteritis vaccine should be received on an annual basis for intact colts intended for breeding.

Performance Horses require an annual booster for West Nile, Tetanus Toxoid and Rabies. Annual vaccinations for Encephalomyelitis (VEE, EEE, WEE) should be administered in the spring. Vaccination for Influenza & Rhinopneumonitis (EHV-1 and EHV-4) should occur annually. Potomac Horse Fever vaccinations should occur semi-annually along with vaccinations for Strangles, if your horse is at high risk.

Pleasure Horses require an annual booster for West Nile, Tetanus Toxoid, Influenza and Rabies. Annual vaccinations for Encephalomyelitis (VEE, EEE, WEE) should be administered in the spring. Vaccination for Rhinopneumonitis (EHV-1 and EHV-4) is recommended annually. Potomac Horse Fever vaccinations should occur semi-annually along with vaccinations for Strangles, if your horse is at high risk. Equine Viral Arteritis vaccine should be received on an annual basis for intact colts intended for breeding.

Broodmares require vaccination for West Nile, Tetanus Toxoid and Encephalomyelitis (VEE, EEE, WEE) annually at 4-6 weeks pre-partum. The rabies vaccine should be given annually, but is not affected by the breeding cycle. The mare should also receive vaccination for influenza at least semi-annually, with 1 booster 4-6 weeks prepartum. They should be vaccinatied for Rhinopneumonitis (EHV-1 and EHV-4) in the fifth, seventh and ninth month of gestation (inactivated EHV 1 vaccine) with an optional dose at third month of gestation. Broodmares should also be vaccinated for Strangles semi-annually with one dose of inactivated M-protein vaccine 4-6 weeks prepartum. The mare should be vaccinated for Potomac Horse Fever semi-annually with one dose 5-6 weeks prepartum.