Do you get your horse vaccinated?

[Kerry Claire]

I always assumed that vaccinations were sort of standard for horses and that everyone got their horses vaccinated. However when I was asking the owner of the horse I share about it she said that not everyone bothers - her included.

What are your thoughs and do you get yours done?

[shaka]

I always have my horses vaccinated, always better safe then sorry!

[Tangle]

Generally yes, although depends on the jab - she hasn't had strangles yet and probably won't unless the current (low risk) situation she's in changes.

Like Shaka I tend to think better safe than sorry. Even if they're not 100% effective (which most jabs aren't) it's still decreasing the chances of catching something and the sideffects are usually pretty small.

[kedwards]

Oh yes. I really can't imagine why someone wouldn't get at least the standard series for the region. Yes, there are some specific vaccines that may not be warranted for a particular horse or under certain circumstances, but I can't imagine just forgoing all vaccininations.

[martini55]

Yes, as she is kept at a livery yard where horses come/go and also horses on the yard go off and compete. As shaka said, better safe than sorry.

[Laetitia]

At most shows you have to present a current vac. cert. otherwise you can be asked to leave the showground. L

[Keepsmiling]

I have my pony Vaccinated Againt Tetnus but not flu, as she lives on a small yard in a stable herd and becouse there are so many strains of flu that even a vaccinated horse can contract a new strain, i did however have her vaccinated for both until she was 4yrs old as flu can be very serious in the very young and very old, also as flu is a virus it is imune for antibiotics so good nursing is the best treatment unless secondary symtoms develop. There is not excuse however not to vaccinate against tetnus as it is almost always fatal if contracted and so easily preventable ;)

[JustJas]

I do for peace of mind........

[Zingy]

Yes I do, though I can't get over-excited about it having to be within 12 months to the day. With Benj I suppose I am more wary about that as I'm more likely to take him somewhere that demands a vaccination certificate. Yog was about 5 days late last year so he's 'unvaccinated' under show rules :rolleyes: Plus his vaccination certificate went missing when I moved house and hasn't been signed the last 2 times anyway! I certainly wouldn't not do them though. And thanks for the reminder - Benj is due :D

[Demson]

I have to have my horse vaccinated every 6 months due to new FEI rules.

[Volvic]

Cloudy's not mine, but she cant be vaccinated as she goes mad. I would love to have her vaccinated for my peace of mind, but she becomes very dangerous to herself & anybody in the vicinity whether horse or human.

When I get my own horse, I will definately have it vaccinated (unless its Cloudy!) for peace of mind really.

[derby day]

Hi!

My lad is vacc. against both tetanus and flu as better to be safe than sorrry. He is also microchipped as it puts my mind at rest ;) :D

cat xxxx

[Peace]

In the mosquito-infested, raccoon and fox inhabited, wilderness in which mine live? Good Lord, yes.

I'm not sure, but I think there might be a fine for not doing so - in our area, equine encephalitis (mosquito-borne disease that really messes up the central nervous system) is not uncommon, and last year two children caught it. Not from the horse directly, of course, but the more infected horses there are, the more infected mosquitoes.

And there's always rabies. You don't think of it so much in hoofstock, but my grandfather was bitten by a rabid cow, way back in the day, and had to have the injections. Twenty, at that time.:eek:

[KarinUS]

I think I have a very good vet to take care of my babies. He is also very honest about treatments, including vaccinations.
Mine get their standard shots regularly. I've asked about 'special' shots like EPM and take his input into consideration when deciding about those. In the case of EPM vaccines we decided not to get them.
But their other shots- most definitely!

[intouch]

I think the powers that be are at last realizing that annual vacs overload the immune system and may well contribute to allergic reactions, copd and other "new" ailments - in humans and pets as well as horses.
How is it that humans have to have tet every 10 years but horses need it annually?
Mine get the course when they come to me, then tet only every two or 3 years. My dogs get done as puppies and that's it.
My kids get their essential vacs then choose what to have when they're old enough.

[virtuallyhorses]

Originally posted by Peace
... my grandfather was bitten by a rabid cow...

:D I'm sorry I know this is a serious subject and it is rather bad to laugh at the misfortune of others but :D :D :D it sounds like a Monty Python skit

Originally posted by intouch
I think the powers that be are at last realizing that annual vacs overload the immune system and may well contribute to allergic reactions... [/B]

on the contrary - allergic reactions are now being recognised in many circles as being the result of our modern 'cleanliness' - vaccines are now being used to cure allergies and immune system disorders. They retrain the immune system to attack invaders instead of its own body - basically it is when an immune system has nothing to do that it starts to make its own mischeif. :)

[eventerbabe]

my gelding has his flu/tet and equine herpes vaccs without fail. my lamanitic only has the tetanus vaccine as vaccinating can trigger an attack. but when she's fully fit and ready to go out showing i will be getting her vaccines all updated/restarted. i don't have a problem with them.

[Yann]

It's one of the conditions of being on our yard that the horse is up to date with flu and tet but something I would do anyway. We're due now, and I'm not looking forward to it as Rio finds being injected traumatic:(

[MeMe]

Mine are always flu and tetted, I dont do herpes, but may look into it further, and have been looking into the strangles vaccine, but have not decided if I will or not yet.

Eventerbabe, hows the injections trigger an attack? Intriqued by this as never heard of it before?

[ZAULTAG]

I don't know a lot of information regarding the Strangles jab but from what i have heard i dont think i will be having that done.

I have recently got my horse and am waiting for my vet to come down, passport her, vaccinate her and microchip her.

Does anyone know if microchipping lowers insurance

[tasha]

Originally posted by intouch
I think the powers that be are at last realizing that annual vacs overload the immune system and may well contribute to allergic reactions, copd and other "new" ailments - in humans and pets as well as horses.
How is it that humans have to have tet every 10 years but horses need it annually?

I've heard that too - lots of challenges in the dog world about it, but not many in the horse world. However until more research is done, I'd rather keep mine up to date with yearly vaccs.