Vaccines?

Do you go to a vet (or have a vet come to you) for them or do you do them yourself?

I've always had a vet do them. As I was searching online for different equine things I came across vaccines that you can buy. I have never done it and probably never would unless I knew exactly what I was doing! I was just wondering if anyone else ever did them themselves?

Good question...I was actually going to ask my vet about this, as my grandpa did vaccinations himself. He had about 20 years experience, though, so I wouldn't be comfortable doing it before I got the vet's OK. I'll call him tomorrow and ask. Anybody know about this?

I have my vet do them, but my vet has shown me where to give them and how to do it. I still don't feel comfortable doing them by myself though. I've given them once with supervision. There's a "triangle" on the neck one hand away from the crest and one hand away from the shoulder where you give them. You should ask the vet to show you just so you know :)

It's not so much the being able to safely give your own vaccines as knowing what your particular horse needs, how often and at what point in the year to give them. Plus there is always getting them delivered in good condition--not to warm and not frozen---so that they are effective and not more likely to cause a reaction. And knowing what to look for in the way of adverse reaction.

Before you attempt to give vaccines on your own, you need to discuss your horse's situation with your vet and find out what he recommends giving when. And see if he will dispense them to you rather than you ordering from a mailing order catalog. This serves three functions--keeps you on your vet's active client list keeps your horse on the reminder list so that he sends you a notice when when more vaccinations are due and makes sure that you have vaccines that aren't out of date and have been handled properly up to the time they came to you.

You can go ahead and order vaccines, but you need to be able to be there when they arrive and make sure that they are within the proper temperature range when they arrive. And check the lot number and expiration dates on them when they arrive to ensure that they are not out-of-date.

Oh I'm not going to do mine on my own! I would have no clue how to or anything. Plus I figured there was more to it than just giving them the shot otherwise there would be no need for vets! I just wanted to see if others did their own.

I'm in no way experienced enough to give any type of shot to a horse!

I have my vet do them along with their exams, and if work needs to be done on their teeth. I've had to do a booster on my gelding with the vets directions, but would prefer not to EVER repeat that again!

I do my own. I do know how to do IM injections, I know my vet well (seeing her tomorrow for the 4th time in two weeks haha!), I know what/when vaccines to give my horses, and I'm comfortable doing so.

I can also do my dogs', but I don't because some things (such as boarding which I occasionally have to use) require a record from the vet of it.

We do our own. It's pretty costly to have the vet out to administer yearly vaccines.

We have the vet do our horses. I would rather a vet make a mistake and know what to do, than myself making a mistake and freaking out. There's a reason why my vet went to vet school and I didn't....

I buy mine from the vet and give myself... it is way cheaper and I have been doing it for years. The only thing the vet has to do is the coggins and I haul in to do that (no big farm fee then)