(While there continues to be a great deal of discussion in both the veterinary professional and popular press about the benefits and potential risks of frequent vaccinations and their impact on the immune system; vaccination of animals is still the most effective tool that we have for disease prevention. I strongly urge all owners to continue routine vaccinations as part of their ongoing equine health care program.)
Laura M. Harris, DVM

ADULT HORSES:

1) ADULT HORSES (SPRING):

EASTERN AND WESTERN ECEPHLOMYELITIS ("SLEEPING SICKNESS")
TETANUS TOXOID
INFLUENZA ("FLU")
RHINOPNEUMONITIS ("RHINO") = EQUINE HERPES VIRUS
RABIES
STRANGLES ("DISTEMPER") = STREP. EQUI
WEST NILE VIRUS

SEVERAL OF THESE INDIVIDUAL DISEASES CAN BE COMBINED BY THE VACCINE MANUFACTURERS INTO MIXED VACCINES BUT EACH DISEASE MUST BE ADDRESSED AND SHOULD BE LISTED ON THE PACKAGE LABEL

2) ADULT HORSES (FALL):

INFLUENZA ("FLU")
RHINOPNEUMONITIS ("RHINO") = EQUINE HERPES VIRUS
WEST NILE VIRUS

3) ADULT HORSES (SUMMER) IF TRAVELLING INTO THE MIDWEST OR EAST COAST POTOMAC VALLEY HORSE FEVER ("POTOMAC")

FOALS:

1) FOALS (4 MONTHS OF AGE)

EASTERN AND WESTERN ENCEPHALOMYELITIS ("SLEEPING SICKNESS")
TETANUS TOXOID
RHINOPNEUMONITIS ("RHINO") = EQUINE HERPES
STRANGLES ("DISTEMPER") = STREP. EQUI
WEST NILE VIRUS

2) FOALS (5 MONTHS OF AGE)

SECOND DOSE ("BOOSTER") OF ALL OF THE 4 MONTH SHOTS)

3) FOALS (6 MONTHS OF AGE)

THIRD DOSE ("BOOSTER") OF ALL OF THE 5 MONTH SHOTS) PLUS RABIES

PREGNANT MARES:
******IN ADDITION TO THE NORMAL ADULT HORSE VACCINATION SCHEDULE*****

1) PREGNANT MARES (DURING THE 5TH, 7TH AND 9TH MONTHS OF PREGNANCY)

RHINOPNEUMONITIS ("RHINO") = EQINE HERPES = EQUINE VIRAL ABORTION

2) PREGNANT MARES (ONE MONTH PRIOR TO EXPECTED DUE DATE)

EASTERN AND WESTERN ENCEPHALOMYELITIS ("SLEEPING SICKNESS")
TETANUS TOXOID
RHINOPNEUMONITIS ("RHINO") = EQUINE HERPES=EQUINE VIRAL ABORTION
STRANGLES ("DISTEMPER") STREP EQUI
WEST NILE VIRUS

SUGGESTED EQUINE DEWORMING SCHEDULES:

(DEWORMING SHOULD BE DONE AT INTERVALS NO GREATER THAN ONCE EVERY TWO TO THREE MONTHS BEGINNING AT TWO MONTHS OF AGE AND CONTINUING THROUGH THE HORSE'S LIFETIME. IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT TO ROTATE CHEMICAL INGREDIENT "FAMILIES" - NOT JUST BRAND NAMES - IN ORDER TO AVOID DEVELOPMENT OF PARASITE RESISTANCE TO INDIVIDUAL PRODUCTS.)

CHEMICAL FAMILIES IN EQUINE DEWORMERS
EXAMPLES OF PRODUCT BRAND NAMES FROM EACH CHEMICAL FAMILY

1) BENZIMIDAZOLE FAMILY
PANACUR
ANTHELCIDE
BENZILMIN

2) IVERMECTIN AND MOXIDECTRIN FAMILY
EQUIMECTRIN
ZIMECTRIN
EQVALAN
QUEST

3) PYRANTEL FAMILY
STRONGID
ROTECTIN -2
STRONGID C DAILY WORMER
EQUIAID-CW DAILY WORMER

(THERE ARE MANY ADDITIONAL DEWORMER BRAND NAMES AVALABLE - THE ONES LISTED ABOVE ARE EXAMPLES ONLY - THE MOST IMPORTANT CONCEPTS ARE 1) TO USE REPUTABLE QUALITY PRODUCTS AND 2) TO ROTATE CHEMICAL FAMILIES AT EACH DEWORMING INTERVAL)

********IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE TO VACCINATE WITH SINGLE PRODUCTS ON A MONTHLY BASIS THEREBY AVOIDING MUCH OF THE SORENESS OR FEBRILE RESPONSE THAT MULTIPLE VACCINATIONS IN A SINGLE DAY CAN PRODUCE. PLEASE CONTACT DR. HARRIS (DRLAURAHARRIS@COX.NET) FOR CUSTOMIZED PLANS BASED ON YOUR HORSES' EXPOSURE AND PERFORMANCE SCHEDULES.*********