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Pregnancy, Foaling & Newborn Care
Immunization against infectious diseases is another important part of a preventative medicine program for your horse. An annual Encephalomyelitis, Tetanus, Influenza and Rhinopneumonitis vaccination is necessary for minimum protection. For those horses that are exposed to infectious disease by contact with other horses, more frequent vaccinations for influenza and rhinopneumonitis are helpful in preventing respiratory diseases. The frequency of vaccination depends on the amount of exposure and the duration of immunity provided by the vaccine. Foals and pregnant mares require special attention to their vaccination schedule.
The following are my current recommendations for immunizations:
Foals should receive the following vaccinations:
8 to 10 weeks of age - 3-way
11 to 13 weeks of age - 3-way
6 to 7 months of age - Influenza and Rhino
9 to 10 months of age - Influenza and Rhino
Yearlings and Two Year Olds. As with foals, this group of young horses is still very susceptible to respiratory diseases and should be vaccinated as follows:
March or April - 3-way, Influenza and Rhino
June or July - Influenza and Rhino
September or October - Influenza and Rhino
December or January - Influenza and Rhino
Performance and Show horses. This group would include all horses with exposure to large groups of horses, such as: show, race, endurance, rodeo, gymkhana horses, and all horses kept at public stables.
March or April - 3-way, Influenza and Rhino
June or July - Influenza and Rhino
September or October - Influenza and Rhino
December or January - Influenza and Rhino
Pleasure and Ranch Horses. This group of horses should have limited exposure to outside horses and be vaccinated on the following schedule:
March or April - 3-way, Influenza and Rhino
August or September - Influenza and Rhino
Broodmares and Pregnant mares should be vaccinated at frequent intervals throughout the pregnancy to prevent abortion due to Rhinopneumonitis.
3 months pregnant - Pneumabort K
5 months pregnant - Pneumabort K
7 months pregnant - Pneumabort K
9 months pregnant - Pneumabort K
Approximately 30 days before foaling, give a 3-way vaccination.
Note: rhino/Influenza and Pneumabort K/Influenza vaccinations are now packaged in a combination injection for economy and convenience.
Strangles
Effective vaccines are now available against Strep. Equi (Strangles). If there are cases of this disease in your area, farm or stables, you should consider including this protection in your vaccination program.
Starting at 6 months of age or older, foals should receive a series of 3 injections, repeated at 2- week intervals, followed by an annual booster.
Rabies
Vaccination against rabies may be necessary in your area, particularly if there have been reported cases in the wildlife population. Rabid skunks have recently been reported in California on premises with horses.
All age groups of horses require a single vaccination, with an annual booster.
Deworming Foals
Starting at 30 days of age, paste worm with Strongid Paste Wormer every 30 days for a total of 3 times. Then, paste with Ivermectin and Strongid every 60 days, alternating wormers.