Vaccination Protocol
<Click here to download this protocol (Microsoft Word format)>
Recommended Equine Vaccination and Maintenance Program
All Horses - Annually - Vaccinate between February and May
- West Nile (booster given between July and August, as well)
- Eastern, Western, and Tetanus - Annually
- Potomac Horse Fever (booster given between July and August, as well)
- Rabies - Annually
- Fecal Exam - Annually
- Coggins - Annually
- Selenium Deficiency Test - Annually
- Dental Exam - Annually
Performance and Exposed Horses
- Fly and Rhino booster every 3 to 4 months
- Intranasal Strangles
- EPM
Foal to Yearling Vaccination Protocol
If the foal's mother was vaccinated 30-45 days before foaling, a tetanus vaccination for the foal is not absolutely necessary. However, it is advisable to give them a tetanus booster shortly after birth. Other vaccinations are not needed until the foal is approximately 6 months old (use the following program times). If the mare was not vaccinated 30-45 days prior to foaling, the the foal needs a tetanus after birth plus the other vaccinations are needed at approximately 4 months of age (two months earlier than the following program times). We also recommend a neonate physical examination of all foals when they are 24-36 hours old. This may include drawing a blood sample fo an IgG test (to make sure the foal received enough antibodies from the colostrum) and a complete blood count, depending on how the pregnancy and foaling went.
| Vaccination | First | Second |
| EHV1/4 (Rhinopneumonitis) | 6 months | 7 months |
| Influenza | 9 months (Intranasal) | |
| Eastern, Western, and Tetanus | 6 months | 7 months |
| Rabies | 6 months | 7 months |
| Potomac Horse Fever | 6 months | 7 months |
| West Nile | 6 months | 7 months |
For high risk farms ( a lot of horse movement on and off the farm), intranasal flu is recommended at 6 month intervals or injectable flu should be boostered at 3 to 4 month intervals until 2 years old and then boostered at 4 to 6 months intervals after that.
EWT (Eastern, Western Encephalomyelitis and tetanus), West Nile, and Rabies should be boostered annually after the horse becomes a yearling. Potomoc Horse Fever should be boostered semi-annually.