Immunizations
March to May — Eastern & Western Encephalitis; Tetanus; Influenza; Rhinopneumonitis; West Nile and *Rabies
September or November — Influenza/Rhinopneumonitis
Notes:
1. Horses with high exposure potential (such as horses in a boarding facility, show horses, rodeo horses, etc.) should receive Influenza and Rhinopneumonitis immunizations every three months, or two weeks prior to major exposure.
2. Pregnant mares need Rhinopneumonitis the 5th, 7th, and 9th months of pregnancy. The other five immunizations need to be boosted approximately one month before foaling.
3. If Strangles (Distemper) is a problem on a specific farm, consider using the intranasal strep vaccine.
Deworming
Deworming medication should be administered every 3-4 months. An Ivermectin product (Eqvalan, Zimectrin, etc.) should be included in your worming program because of its ability to kill migrating parasites and bots. No worming product is superior to all others. Therefore, rotating products is recommended.
Dental Care
Your horse’s teeth may occasionally require a procedure called floating. The teeth may develop points so sharp that they prevent the horse from eating properly. A veterinarian should check the horse’s teeth to determine whether floating is necessary.
*Due to the potential transmission of the Rabies virus from horses to humans, the American Association of Equine Practitioners now recommends that all horses receive an annual Rabies vaccine.