Vaccinations

Basic vaccination:

  • Influenza: 1st vaccination at 6 months of age and booster vaccination after 3 weeks to 3 months. Repeat annually thereafter.
  • Tetanus: 1st vaccination at 6 months of age and booster vaccination after 3 weeks to 3 months. Repeat annually thereafter.

-Influenza/tetanus vaccination is available in 1 vaccine

Additional possible vaccinations:

  • Rhinopneumonia or EHV1/4: basic vaccination with 4-6 week intervals.
  • Common cold: Vaccinate twice a year.
  • Abortion form: 3x vaccination during pregnancy at 5 – 7 – 9 months of pregnancy.
  • Neurological form: 2 vaccinations per year.
  • Strangles: 1st vaccination from 4 months of age and booster vaccination after 4 weeks. Repeat vaccination: every three months.
  • Fungus (Insol ®): vaccinate twice a year with an interval of 2 days.

Competition regulations according to the KNHS:

Article 47 – Control of competition documents
3 a. The basic vaccination against influenza consists of two vaccinations, which must be administered at least 21 and at most 92 days apart. In the period between these two vaccinations the horse may not be entered into competitions.

  1. Subsequently, the follow-up vaccination must be given annually (for example: if a horse was vaccinated on 1 March 2010, the follow-up vaccination must take place no later than 1 March 2011).
  2. A vaccination must be administered at least seven days before the (first) competition (day).
  3. Vaccination records are only valid if they are provided with a sticker with the batch number of the vaccine (or the record of the serial/batch number of the vaccine registered by the veterinarian who administered the vaccination), the date of vaccination and the signature and (practice) stamp of the veterinarian who administered the vaccination.
  4. If the basic vaccination and the follow-up vaccinations were previously recorded in a separate vaccination booklet, the veterinarian must include the following text in the horse passport: “the vaccination history of this horse/pony is correct. Last vaccination on: [date]. This English line must be included in an FEI passport. For horses with a passport other than an FEI passport, the line in Dutch is sufficient. This line must be signed and stamped by the veterinarian, regardless of the language in which the line is included. For horses born in 2008 or later, both the basic vaccination and all follow-up vaccinations must be recorded in the horse passport.

(Source: www.knhs.nl, accessed on 24-3-2020)

An additional requirement applies to FEI competitions:

  • Booster vaccination within 6 months + 21 days after the second basic vaccination.

Rules may change at short notice: always keep an eye on the FEI and KNHS regulations yourself!

 

Influenza

This flu virus is highly contagious to other horses. Transmission occurs mainly through the air. If many horses come together, for example at competitions, many horses quickly become infected. Horses show symptoms of the upper respiratory tract, such as coughing and a runny nose. In addition, they often develop (high) fever with reduced appetite. Bacteria can become involved, which worsens the symptoms. By regularly vaccinating, symptoms are reduced or even prevented.

The basic vaccination against influenza consists of two vaccinations. After the first vaccination, the second vaccination (= booster vaccination) must be repeated after 3 weeks to 3 months. Only after this booster vaccination is the horse fully protected. The influenza vaccination must be repeated annually to guarantee good protection. For good protection of the foal, it is advisable to vaccinate the pregnant mare in the last 4 months. In this way, the foal receives sufficient antibodies in the colostrum.

Tetanus

The tetanus vaccination is vital for horses. The bacterium Clostridium tetani enters the body through a wound. This bacterium secretes a neurotoxin (= poison), which causes various muscles to slowly cramp completely. Symptoms include stiffness of the chewing muscles, stiffness of the head, neck and legs and the emergence of the third eyelid. The horse can eventually suffocate due to the cramp of the respiratory muscles.

The basic vaccination against tetanus also consists of two vaccinations: just like with influenza vaccination, the booster vaccination is also repeated after 3 weeks to 3 months. Usually, the influenza and tetanus vaccination are combined.

Rhinopneumonia

Rhinopneumonia or Rhino is caused by EHV1/4 (=Equine Herpesvirus). It is an infection in the upper respiratory tract, which spreads further and can have three manifestations:

  • Common cold
    Horses show reduced appetite, nasal discharge, fever and swollen lymph nodes. Especially foals and horses with reduced resistance have an increased risk. The disease usually progresses calmly without serious complications. Against this form, vaccination must be done twice a year. It is advisable to vaccinate the entire stable at once (due to herd immunity).
  • Abortion

The virus moves to the placenta in the pregnant mare. The placenta becomes infected and the unborn foal is also affected. The result is abortion or the birth of a very weak foal, which dies within a few days. Vaccination is certainly possible, but it is not 100% reliable. Abortion cannot always be prevented, a vaccine does reduce the risk. The vaccination is administered at 5, 7 and 9 months of pregnancy.

  • Damage to the nervous system

Fortunately, this form is less common. The nervous system is affected: the horse gets balance disorders. It starts at the tail and hind legs. Horses can no longer stand up in a later stage and due to paralysis in the hindquarters they are no longer able to defecate and urinate. The vaccination does not provide complete protection but it does ensure a limited spread in the group.

Strangles

Strangles is a highly contagious disease caused by the bacteria Streptococcus equi subspecies equi. Infected horses have a high temperature, swellings to abscesses of the lymph nodes, nasal discharge with mucus and pus, coughing and shortness of breath. Young horses in particular are at increased risk. The vaccination is not administered into the muscle, but into the mucous membranes of the upper lip. Horses can be vaccinated from the age of four months. The basic vaccination consists of two vaccinations with an interval of four weeks. The booster vaccination can be repeated every three months. In the event of an outbreak, a booster vaccination three to six months after the last vaccination will quickly restore immunity. It is advisable to vaccinate all horses in one stable.

Mold

Horses with (annual) fungal complaints can now also be vaccinated to prevent or reduce the symptoms. The Insol® vaccination consists of two vaccinations: the booster vaccination is administered after 14 days. In some severe cases, a third injection is necessary, which is administered two weeks after the second injection. The vaccination can be repeated every year with two vaccinations with an interval of 14 days.