Vaccination - flu & tet?

[Anna.C]

Hi,
Harry is due for his yearly flu and tet. injections at the end of the month. I understand from Ivor's previous owner that she never had him vaccinated, and to her knowledge he never had been. Ivor is 14 now, presumably he ought to have a tetanus shot, but should he also have a flu jab? I've heard that it doesn't always do older horses alot of good, and at this time of year might it do more harm than good?

[ponyvet]

As I vaccinate horses in their 20's and 30's regularly and see no problems, I really don't think you need to worry about him having the vaccination at 14. There's a lot of scaremongering about vaccinations about, especially whilst the subject of human vaccines is such a hot potato. However I am only aware of one horse that has ever had a confirmed vaccination reaction that has been more than a small abscess forming at the injection site.

You'd need a primary course consisting of three injections, the first followed by a second after 4 weeks and a third after 6 months. After that he will need annual boosters.

The only advice I can give to prevent any possible bad reaction is to rest him for a day or two before each jab, and for a day or two afterwards. (though it's very unlikely that he'd have one)

If you don't want to have him vaccinated it's up to you, but you may find you cannot enter some shows, take him for lessons at some schools or use some livery yards if he isn't vaccinated.

[sweetbriar]

I recently had my pony's tetnus and flu done. She's in her mid to late teens.

She had been given her tetanus prior to me having her but had never been vaccinated against flu. She's had 2 jabs with her booster to be done in May.

I would get it done as its worth it for the peace of mind and your horses health. I recently competed in a riding club team event and you have to have all your vaccinations up to date and take your card for examination. I also got my vet to fill out her markings on her card as well.

[lamprellsarah]

my vet said that there was no point doing Flu for my mare as we don't change our yard like have new horse coming on often, and i don't show her at big shows!!!

[ponyvet]

Like I said, if you're not going to be in a situation where your horse is at risk, or you're going to be penalised for it, don't get it done if you don't want to. I too don't take my horses to shows, nor do I have new horses coming into my own yard (at home), but I still have my horses vaccinated as I'd rather not take the risk. But that's my personal choice. (also I don't have to pay for my time or a visit fee to go home at the end of the day!! :D )