Shots

So, what shots do you get for your horse? I'm at a new barn this year, and the current barn owner only does shots once a year. She seems to think that doing them twice a year is overkill.

There seem to be many, many varied opionions on which shots you actually need, how often to give them and which ones are unnecessary. I know to get the coggins test and rabies shot, but what would you put on your list? Also, do all these vacines really just last 6 month? Do you really have to do them twice a year? We go to shows, hunter paces and trail rides and encounter a lot of different horses each year. At the same time, there's no sense spending money for stuff I really don't need.

The best way to know what you need for your specific area is to ask your vet. Part of the reason people have so many opinions is because they are in different parts of the country (and even the world) and vaccination protocols vary by areas. Some vaccines do only last 3-6 months and some are good for longer, your vet will also be able to fill you in on this. No matter where you are though, you must keep your horse current on tetanus vaccination as horses are exquisitely sensitive to it and we all know how much they love to cut themselves!

As Tealamutt said, the reason for the various recommendations is because of different environmental and use conditions.

There are severa core vaccinations that all horses in the US should have at least once a year---Eastern and Western Equine Encephalitis, West Nile Virus, Tetanus and Rabies. This is the recommendation of the AAEP. In some areas vets may recommend boostering EEE, WEE and WNV twice a year depending on the lenght of the biting insect season.

The rest of the vaccines are considered risk based and whether or not they should be given or how often they should be given are based on the particulars of a situation. So, talk to your local vet about your situation and the recommendations for where your horse currently resides.

I am have boarder at a military stables for quite a while now but 2 different stables. They require us to have EVERYTHING 2 times a year, so we do a 5 way, strangles and flu.

I think it's way over kill.

You have to be careful when you say things like "5-way" and "4-way" because these can be dramatically different vaccines depending on what manufacturer you go with.

Here we go

5way
Eastern, Western Encephalomyelitis;
Rhinopneumonitis (EHV-1 & EHV-4)
Influenza (A2 & KY97)
And Tetanus Toxoid.

Strangles

West nile

I usally just get
Tetunas
West Nile
Rabies

Tasia,
Where are you that you need a WNV vaccine but not EEE or WEE?

I am in BC and we have had many warnings to get the WNVV. *There is one I forgot I can't find the name of it

I give a 4-way (Eastern and Western Encephalomyelitis, influenza, tetanus) and WNV once a year in the spring.

I have asked my vet twice about vaccinating my horses for rabies and he doesn't think they need it (or doesn't want to give it for some reason). He said he's never seen a case, but we do live in the woods with skunks and such so I always wonder if they need it. I am in Northeastern Arizona.