This is just a suggested schedule. Your veterinarian can put together a schedule tailored for your horse and your situation. Also note that many combination vaccines are offered. Again, consult your veterinarian.
 Disease/Vaccine |
Foals/Weanlings |
Yearlings |
Performance Horses |
Pleasure Horses |
Broodmares |
Notes |
Tetanus Toxoid |
From nonvaccinated mares:1st dose: 3-4 months. 2nd dose: 4-5 months.
From vaccinated mares:1st dose: 6 months.
2nd dose: 7 months.3rd dose: 8-9 months. |
Annual |
Annual |
Annual |
Annual, 4 to 6 weeks prior to delivery. |
If last dose not administered within 6 months give booster at time of penetrating injury or surgery. |
Encephalomyelitis
(EEE, WEE, VEE) |
EEE: (in high risk areas)
1st dose: 3-4 months. 2nd dose: 4-5 months.
3rd dose: 8-9 months
WEE, EEE, VEE: (in low risk areas)
From nonvaccinated mares:1st dose: 3-4 months. 2nd dose: 4-5 months. 3rd dose: 5-6 months. From vaccinated mares: 1st dose: 6 months. 2nd dose: 7 months. 3rd dose: 8 months. |
Annual
Annual, Spring |
Annual, Spring
Annual, Spring |
Annual, Spring
Annual, Spring |
Annual, 4 to 6 weeks prior to delivery.
Annual, 4-6 weeks prior to delivery. |
In areas where disease is prevalent booster EEE and WEE every 6 months; VEE only when threat of exposure; VEE may only be available as a combination vaccine with EEE and WEE. |
| Influenza |
Inactivated injectible:
From nonvaccinated mares: 1st dose: 6 months. 2nd dose: 7 months. 3rd dose: 8 months.
Then at 3-month intervals.
From vaccinated mares: 1st dose: 9 months.
2nd dose 10 months. 3rd dose: 11-12 months.
Then at 3-mont intervals. |
Every 3 to 4 months. |
Every 3 to 4 months. |
Annual with added boosters
prior to likely exposure. |
At least semiannual,
with 1 booster 4 to 6 weeks prior to delivery. |
A series of at least 3 dosses is recommended for primary immunization of foals. |
Rhinopneumonitis
(EVH-1 and EVH-4) |
1st dose: 4-6 months.
2nd dose: 5-7 months.
3rd dose: 6-8 months.
Then at 3-month intervals. |
Booster every 3 to 4 months
up to annually. |
Booster every 3 to 4 months
up to annually. |
Optional: semi-annual if elected. |
5th, 7th, 9th month of gestation (inactivated EVH-1 vaccine); optional dose at thrid month
of gestation. |
Vaccination of mares before breeding and 4 to 6 weeks prior to delivery is suggested. Breeding stallions should be vaccinated before the breeding season and semiannually. |
| Strangles |
Injectable:
1st dose: 4-6 months. 2nd dose: 5-7 months.
3rd dose: 7 to 8 months.
4th dose: 12 months (depend on product used).
Intranasal:
1st dose: 6-9 months. 2nd dose: 3 weeks later. |
Semi-annual |
Optional: semi-annual if risk
is high. |
Optional: semi-annual if risk
is high. |
Semi-annual with one dose of inactivated
M-protein vaccine 4 to 6 weeks prior to delivery. |
Vaccines containing M-protein extract may be less reactive than whole-cell vaccines. Use when endemic conditions exist or risk is high. Foals as young as 6 weeks may safely receive the intranasal product. A 3rd dose should be given 2 to 4 weeks before weaning. |
| Potomac Horse Fever |
1st dose: 5-6 months.
2nd dose: 6-7 months. |
Semi-annual |
Semi-annual |
Semi-annual |
Semi-annual with 1 dose 4 to 6 weeks prior
to delivery. |
Booster during May to June in areas where disease is common. |
| Botulism |
From nonvaccinated mare: See Notes
From vaccinated mare: 3-dose series of toxoid at 30-day intervals starting at 2 to 3 months of age. |
Not applicable. |
Not applicable. |
Not applicable. |
Initial 3-dose series at 30-day intervals with
last dose 4 to 6 weeks prior to delivery.
Thereafter, annually, 4 to 6 weeks prior
to delivery. |
Foal from nonvaccinated mare may benefit from: 1) toxoid at 2, 4, and 8 weeks of age; 2) transfusion of plasma from vaccinated horse; or 3) antitoxin. Efficacay needs further study.
Foals from vaccinated mares in endemic areas: A 3rd dose administered 4 to 6 weeks after the 2nd dose may improve the response of foals to primary immunization. |
| Rabies |
From nonvaccinated mares: 1st dose: 3-4 months. 2nd dose: 12 months.
From vaccinated mares: 1st dose: 6 months,
2nd dose: 7 months, 3rd dose: 12 months. |
Annual |
Annual |
Annual |
Annual, before breeding |
Vaccination recommended in areas with high incidences of disease. Do not use modified-live-virus vaccines in horses |
| Equine Viral Arteritis |
Intact colts intended to be breeding stallions:
one dose at 6-12 months. |
Annual for colts intended to be breeding stallions. |
Annual for colts intended to be breeding stallions. |
Annual for colts intended to be breeding stallions. |
Annual for seronegative, open mares before breding to carrier stallions: isolate mares for 21 days after breeding to carrier stallion |
Annual for breeding stallions and teasers, 28 days before start of breeding season; virus may be shed in semen for up to 21 days. Vaccinated mares do not develop clinical signs even though they become transiently infected and may shed virus for a short time. |
| Rotovirus A |
Little value to vaccinate foal becasue insufficient time to develop antibodies to protect during suseptible age. |
Not applicable. |
Not applicable. |
Not applicable. |
Vaccinate mares at 8th, 9th, and 10th month of gestation, each pregnancy. Passive transfer of colostral antibodies aid in prevention of rotaviral diarrhea in foals. |
Check concentrations of immunoglobulins in foal to be assured that there is no failure of passive transfer. |
| West Nile |
1st dose: 3-4 months.
2nd dose: 1 month later (plus 3rd dose at 6 months in areas where disease is common). |
Annual booster, prior to expected risk. Vaccinate semi-annually or more frequently (every 4 months) depending on risk. |
Annual booster, prior to expected risk. Vaccinate semi-annually or more frequently (every 4 months) depending on risk. |
Annual booster, prior to expected risk. Vaccinate semi-annually or more frequently (every 4 months) depending on risk. |
Annual, 4 to 6 weeks prior to delivery
(consult veterinarian). |
Annual booster is after primary series. In areas with frequent West Nile occuraces, booster as required or warranted due to local conditions conducive to disease risk. Vaccinate semi-annually or more frequently (every 4 months), depending on risk. |
