Yearly Vaccines that are a MUST!

Hey all i'm new to forum but have a few questions I have been discussing with some new horse friends I go trail riding with. What vaccines need to be administered yearly to the horse BY A VET and what vaccines can be administered BY ME. I was going to get the horse the Rabies vaccine ( can I do this one)? I also wanted to get the Strangles vaccine (can I do this one)? I have heard about a 6 in 1 vaccine (not sure what all it has in it) but I think I can administer this one myself also.

Next question, I have a lot of sand where I am at. I give my horse bran twice a week with a cup of mineral oil each time I bran them. According to my vet, if you ever get a sand colic, they administer strait mineral oil through the nose to clear out any sand. The women I had spoken with told me my vet was incorrect and that I should give metamucil instead. If the horse does not drink enough water though, it could become a sludge in their stomach. They said I should give it with beet pulp. They said I need the ingredient physillium which is in the Metamucil, that the bran will not clear out the sand colic. I have branned horses for my whole life and never had a problem with any type of colic. Any Ideas?

The only vaccination I give to all my horses is a 3 way EEE,WEE, and Tetnus. Each state has their own rules here in Mn. I can give the Rabies myself but I can't buy it unless I drive over to Wi. And buy it or have freinds there get it then send it to me.

I've never did anything to prevent colic other then feed forage 24/7 so can't say about bran etc.

I personally give the 6 in 1 (6 way) and west nile. Like Country mentioned in MN we can't by the rabies and a vet must administor unless we get it from WI. Don't forget about needing Coggins done if you are going to be traveling, showing, or even some barns required it.

You can always call your local vet and find out what is required/ recommended for your area. If you don't know how to properly do the shots I would have someone else who knows what they are doing assist you or have yu vet do it.

My horse had colic and the vet did put a hose down his nose and flushed him out then put I think it was a half a gallon of mineral oil in. They did not find any sand in his belly, but I had just used metamucil on him a half a cup for 3 days.The vet also said to put him on Bran (ONLY)for 2 days then slowly give hay and on third days if he is better, which he was put him back on his reg. Diet.He did not have sand colic it was from new hay I bought.

Core vaccinations that all horses should recieve are EEE, WEE, WNV, Tetanus and Rabies. Whether or not you can give the Rabies vaccine yourself depends on the laws for your state. You should call your veterinarian to ask about Rabies.

I like the beet pulp for cleaning out the system, it is great for preventing sand colic. A lot of horses don't like to eat it, but you can get certain feeds with high beet pulp content and/or formulated specifically for preventing sand colic.

As for the vaccines, I don't know about you area (I'm in CA) but I give my horses 6 way (EEE, WEE, VEE, Tetanus, Rhino, Flu) West Nile and Strangles. In CA, only a vet can administer Rabies but I do all the others myself. The 6 way is safe and easy, but I would ask a vet about Strangles. There are sometimes negative side effects to the vaccine so I would check if you even need it. Depending on what kind of trail riding you're doing, you'll want to vaccinate accordingly. If you're coming into contact with many new and travelling horses, vaccinate for strangles. If there's a chance your horse could come into contact with wild animals (raccoon, etc.) vaccinate for rabies. Tetanus is a must, all horses should have that vaccine. EEE and WEE are important as well. VEE isn't a big deal, it's almost non-existant in the US. Flu is tough, because the virus changes constantly so you're only vaccinating for select strains. I don't know much about east coast horse vaccines, do you need to vaccinate for potomac horse fever or botulism? Bottom line is, I would ask your vet before you administer any vaccines so you know what to give and you know how to give it. I am a vet tech and I work at a large beef and pork facility, so I am used to giving vaccines and I do my horses myself, but if you don't know what you're doing I would ask your vet first.