BRYAN- COLLEGE STATION, April 24, 2025 — Like humans, horses can acquire diseases that spread quickly, cause severe illness and, in some cases, prove fatal. Unlike humans, however, they have no control over their fate and rely entirely on their owners for protection.
One of the most effective ways to safeguard a horse’s health is through vaccination. Vaccines prepare the body to recognize and fight a specific disease, reducing the likelihood of infection and minimizing complications if exposure occurs.
Dr. Leslie Easterwood, a clinical associate professor at Texas A&M University’s College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, explains the importance of vaccines, the essential vaccines horses need, and how often these vaccines should be administered.
Say Neigh To Disease
Equine vaccines fall into two categories: — core and risk-based.
Core vaccines are essential for every horse — regardless of environment or lifestyle — because they protect against highly contagious, widespread, and often deadly diseases.
“These vaccinations are recommended for all horses,” Easterwood said. “They include tetanus, rabies, West Nile virus (WNV), and equine encephalitis — Venezuelan, Eastern, and Western (VEWE) strains.”
Risk-based vaccines, on the other hand, depend on a horse’s lifestyle, location, and exposure risk.
Veterinarians commonly recommend vaccines for influenza, rhinopneumonitis (rhino), and strep (strangles), as these respiratory diseases are easily spread among horses.
“If a horse is truly isolated from contact with other horses, these risk-based vaccines may not be warranted,” Easterwood said. “The chance of being truly isolated from all possible exposures is remote, though.”
A Small Price For Protection
Regardless of the vaccine category, the goal remains the same — to prevent disease before it leads to negative outcomes.
“Prevention is the best medicine,” Easterwood said. “It’s always better to prevent disease than to treat disease.”
By introducing a harmless form of a disease, vaccines allow a horse’s immune system to develop the tools it needs to fight the infection before exposure ever happens. This early defense can mean the difference between mild symptoms and a life-threatening illness.
While vaccines play a key role in keeping horses safe, owners should also be aware that mild side effects can occur.
“It’s possible for horses to feel soreness around the injection site after vaccination,” Easterwood said. “These are usually minor and easily resolved with anti-inflammatories.”
Stick To The Schedule Vaccines are not oneand- done treatments; they require a schedule to maintain immunity overtime.
“For core vaccinations, rabies is given once a year, while VEWE, tetanus, and WNV are administered twice a year,” Easterwood said. “Risk-based vaccines like flu, rhino, and strep require vaccination two to four times a year, depending on exposure risk.”
Vaccination guidelines also depend on factors like age, reproductive status, and previous vaccination history. Newborns, pregnant horses, and those receiving their first vaccines all have different immunization needs, making veterinary guidance essential.
“Discussions with your veterinarian are recommended to develop an appropriate vaccination program for your horse based on their specific needs and risks of exposure,” Easterwood said.
Ultimately, vaccines give horses a head start and better chance in fighting off dangerous diseases, keeping them strong, active, and ready for adventure. By working with a veterinarian to develop a proper vaccination plan, horse owners can ensure their equine companions have the best protection for a long, healthy life.
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