USDA-approved vaccines are available for a number of equine infectious diseases. Vaccines reduce the risk of infection by working with the body’s natural defenses to safely develop immunity to disease. Vaccination serves to minimize the risks of infection, but cannot prevent disease in all situations. When used with good biosecurity and management practices, vaccines can limit the risk of infection to your horse.
Rabies is caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. Wildlife (especially raccoons. skunks, foxes, and bats) serve as reservoirs for the virus and pose a risk to other mammals, including man. Every year, about 124 animals test positive for rabies in South Carolina; raccoons represent about 50% of the positive cases. Rabies is always fatal and a rabid horse poses great risk to anyone near the animal. Rabies vaccination is highly effective and is an annual core vaccine for horses. A veterinarian must administer a Rabies vaccination.
Biting insects, especially mosquitoes, serve as vectors for a number of preventable infectious diseases of horses, such as Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), Western Equine Encephalitis (WEE) and Equine West Nile Virus (WNV). Vaccines against these diseases are available in multiple combinations from various manufacturers. Veterinarians in South Carolina frequently recommend vaccination for these diseases every six (6) months- Spring and Fall. Additionally, horses should receive Tetanus Toxoid to afford protection from this often fatal disease.
Other available vaccines can also reduce the incidence of several common infectious diseases of horses, Equine Influenza, Equine Herpes Virus (Rhinopneumonitis) and Strangles (Streptococcus equi). Assess your horse’s risk of exposure to these diseases based on use, activity levels, frequency of travel, and commingling with other horses. Strangles, Equine Influenza, and Equine Herpesvirus (EHV) are respiratory diseases that spread easily between horses and are routinely seen where there is a high density of equines, like show facilities. Consult your veterinarian for recommendations on the need and frequency for vaccination against these diseases.
Core Equine Vaccines for South Carolina
- Rabies – annual vaccination
- Eastern-Western Equine Encephalitis – biannual vaccination (Spring and Fall)
- West Nile Virus – biannual vaccination (Spring and Fall)
- Tetanus – annual vaccination
Some Risk-based Equine Vaccines – Consult Your Veterinarian
- Equine Influenza – one to four times/year
- Equine Herpes Virus (Rhinopneumonitis) – one to two times/year
- Strangles (Streptococcus equi) – one to two times/year
Consult your veterinary practitioner for vaccination guidance. It is important to remember that following vaccination, it takes time for the body to respond and develop active immunity to disease. Vaccinations should occur before likely exposure. Booster vaccinations may be necessary, following an initial vaccination or when vaccinating an animal with an unknown vaccination history, to ensure achievement of appropriate immunity levels. Spring is a good time to review with your veterinarian the health plan for your horse to ensure that your horse is current on appropriate vaccinations.
