Equine Vaccination

Foals initially receive some immune protection from antibodies contained in their mare’s colostrum.

As this maternal protection decreases, foals need to develop their own immunity through vaccination.

The timing of vaccinations can depend on factors including:

• The mare’s vaccination history
• The foal’s age
• Disease risk
• Property management
• Breeding or sales preparation
• Travel plans

Your veterinarian can develop an appropriate vaccination program for mares, foals and young horses.

Racehorses and performance horses may have greater exposure to infectious disease because they regularly:

• Travel between properties and training centres
• Attend race meetings or competitions
• Share facilities with large numbers of horses
• Come into contact with horses from different regions
• Use shared transport, stabling and equipment

For these horses, vaccination should form part of a broader biosecurity and preventative health program.

At Racetrack Veterinary Services, we can develop a vaccination schedule around your horse’s racing, training or competition commitments to help minimise unnecessary disruption.

If your horse is preparing to travel interstate, attend a competition, move to a new stable or enter a sales complex, it is worth reviewing their vaccination history well in advance.

Some vaccines require an initial course followed by boosters, which means protection cannot always be achieved immediately before travel.

Competition venues, studs, sales companies and transport providers may also have their own vaccination or biosecurity requirements.

Checking these requirements early can help avoid last-minute problems.

Horses at agistment properties and breeding facilities may share paddocks, yards, stables, transport or equipment with other horses.

Vaccination can support a broader biosecurity plan and help reduce the risk of disease spread. The appropriate vaccines and timing will depend on each horse’s circumstances and the management practices at the property.

Your veterinarian can review the horses’ vaccination histories and help develop a suitable program for the facility.

Tetanus is a serious and potentially fatal neurological disease caused by toxins produced by Clostridium tetani bacteria.

The bacteria are commonly found in soil and can enter the horse’s body through wounds, punctures, surgical sites or other breaks in the skin.

Horses are particularly susceptible to tetanus, which is why routine vaccination is strongly recommended. The Victorian Code of Practice for the Welfare of Horses specifically recommends routine vaccination against tetanus.

Tetanus vaccination is particularly important before procedures or situations that may create a wound, including:

• Castration
• Surgery
• Significant cuts or puncture wounds
• Hoof injuries
• Foaling-related injuries

Your veterinarian can advise whether your horse requires a primary vaccination course, routine booster or additional protection following an injury.

Strangles is a highly contagious bacterial respiratory disease caused by Streptococcus equi.

It can spread rapidly between horses through direct contact, nasal secretions and contaminated equipment, water troughs, clothing and surfaces.

Clinical signs can include:

• Fever
• Nasal discharge
• Coughing
• Enlarged and painful lymph nodes
• Difficulty swallowing
• Abscess formation

Strangles is a notifiable disease in Victoria and must be reported to the relevant authorities when diagnosed.

Vaccination may be recommended for horses that regularly mix with other horses, including those in racing stables, agistment centres, competition yards, breeding establishments and travelling horses.

Your veterinarian can help determine whether strangles vaccination is appropriate for your horse and advise on the recommended schedule.

Equine herpesvirus, commonly referred to as EHV, includes several strains that can cause respiratory disease, reproductive disease and, less commonly, neurological illness.

EHV vaccination may be considered for certain horses, particularly:

• Breeding mares
• Young horses
• Horses in large training establishments
• Horses frequently travelling or competing
• Horses regularly exposed to new arrivals

Vaccination does not eliminate every form of equine herpesvirus disease, so strong biosecurity remains essential.

In Victoria, certain forms of EHV-1 associated with abortion or neurological disease are notifiable.

Hendra virus is a serious zoonotic disease, meaning it can infect both horses and humans.

It is transmitted from flying foxes to horses, and infected horses can then pose a risk to people who have close contact with them.

Although Hendra virus has not been detected in horses in Victoria to date, Agriculture Victoria advises that areas where horses and flying foxes coexist should still be considered potentially at risk.

Vaccination is regarded as the most effective way to reduce the risk of Hendra virus infection in horses and also reduces the risk to people handling infected horses.

Hendra vaccination must be administered by a veterinarian and recorded appropriately.

Your veterinarian can discuss whether Hendra vaccination is appropriate for your horse, particularly if the horse travels interstate or spends time in higher-risk areas.