Vaccination of horses: mandatory vaccinations, how to do it, schedule, types of vaccines

It is no secret that only a healthy horse will delight others with its beauty, grace and achievements in the sports field. Therefore, every breeder of these noble animals knows how important it is to protect their body from potentially dangerous infectious diseases that can cause irreparable harm to their health. Prevention of complex diseases occurs through mandatory vaccination, the basic rules and terms of which are regulated at the legislative level. According to regulatory documents, every horse in our country must be vaccinated against a number of pathologies, which gives the breeder confidence in its safety.

What vaccinations are given to horses?

Infectious disease states occur in horses many times more often than somatic diseases, as they can pass from one animal to another, spreading through water, food or air. Therefore, the veterinary service sees one of its main tasks as the correct organization and implementation of measures for the timely immunization of equine representatives of the farm.

Currently, horses receive several vaccinations throughout their lives:

anthrax injection;
examination for glanders, breeding disease and INAN;
vaccination or test for leptospirosis;
injection against equine influenza virus;
prevention of dermatophyte pathologies;
injection against horse rhinopneumonia;
prevention of brucellosis, tetanus, rabies;
test for the presence of tuberculosis bacillus in the body.

On the territory of our state, vaccination is carried out without fail from the first months of life, regardless of their breed, purpose and conditions of detention.

Veterinary Medicine: Vaccines, why vaccinate your horse? // ZM 5(55) 2006

Infectious diseases in horses, like in other animal species, have different origins. They are caused by pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Certain types of microorganisms, having entered the animal’s body, begin to multiply, affect internal organs and systems, release products of their vital activity, and thereby cause pathological changes that develop into a clinical picture.

With a particular infectious lesion, as a rule, a typical clinical picture characteristic of this disease occurs, which makes it specific and different from others. The incidence of this disease is widespread. This set of symptoms gives us the right to call the disease infectious. However, this is not always the case. The clinical picture can be distorted, and often quite strongly. This is due to the layering of infections and the variability of microorganisms, which ultimately greatly complicates early diagnosis based only on clinical signs of the disease or makes it impossible. Thus, it becomes obvious that laboratory tests play a major role in the diagnosis of infectious diseases. Some equine diseases, such as infectious anemia, for example, currently do not have specific immunoprophylaxis methods, and the main method of combating them is timely laboratory diagnosis with the introduction of subsequent restrictions. Most infectious diseases of horses have been described in detail, laboratory diagnostic methods have been developed, and treatment methods have been recommended. However, in fact, the only effective method of combating these diseases is their specific immunoprophylaxis or, simply, vaccination! In order to understand what a vaccine is, how and to what extent it is capable of suppressing the causative agent of a particular infectious disease, it is necessary to understand the mechanism of its action.

Get vaccinated! Many vaccines have been developed and are successfully used against most infectious diseases of horses. They are constantly being refined, improved, and new ones are tested. Vaccine production is in constant flux because, as described above, microorganisms change and new strains appear. A conscientious manufacturer of biological products monitors the emergence of new strains and constantly monitors the epizootic relevance of its product. The degree of “success” of a vaccine is determined by the extent to which it is able to induce the formation of specific antibodies without having a negative effect on the animal’s body. The surface of antibodies formed in the body should ideally coincide clearly, like a mirror image, with the antigen (bacterium, virus). In this case, they will fit together like a “key to a lock”, and upon possible contact they will seem to stick together, which will not give the microorganism the opportunity for further development. In addition, the number of antibodies (or intensity of immunity) must be comparable to the possible number of antigens entering the body. We describe this mechanism in an extremely simplified manner, but in essence it is the same for all vaccines. From this we can conclude that the closer the similarity of the vaccine strain to the field pathogenic one, the more effective the vaccine will work. Historically, the first vaccines were live, developed from pathogenic strains by suppressing their pathogenic properties with various substances. When a vaccine is introduced into a living organism, the disease actually manifests itself, but in an extremely weakened form; antibodies are quickly formed in the body, which ultimately suppress the development of the infection, resulting in fairly stable immunity. Modern technologies make it possible to find not only current vaccine strains, but also DNA sections of pathogenic microorganisms responsible for the production of specific antibodies and “recognition.” In any case, the vaccine must meet safety and effectiveness requirements.

Vaccination rules For each vaccine, methods of its administration, dosage, frequency and frequency, as well as many other rules (including storage and transportation conditions) have been developed, which absolutely cannot be violated, due to the fact that if these rules are not followed, the vaccine will not “work.” “, or the immunity will be extremely weak. All horses kept in an equestrian club (stud farm or other equestrian farm) must be vaccinated upon reaching a certain age with one or another vaccine in accordance with officially approved instructions and undergo timely revaccination. Often we have to deal with the fact that from the mass of horses that are in a stud farm (club, etc.), owners vaccinate horses according to the principle - “this horse goes to competitions, we vaccinate it, this one doesn’t - we don’t need it...” Or, what’s even worse: “We’ll adopt a valuable horse, but it’s not worth spending money on an ordinary one.” It would seem absurd, but we have to deal with such situations with enviable frequency. The reasoning of such owners, as a rule, is the same - “vaccination is expensive...”. Some people have the opinion that vaccines in general are harmful (!). I would like to bring to their attention that the development of vaccines is carried out by highly qualified specialists who study, among other things, their epizootic relevance in accordance with the territories where these vaccines are used. After all, animals vaccinated against other exotic infections that are not typical for our country can bring these infections in a latent (hidden) form, and under certain conditions infect unvaccinated people. As a result, it is very important to consult a veterinarian on all issues related to its immune status before importing a horse from abroad. In addition, it is necessary to remember that the number of vaccinated horses in one club or horse breeding farm must be at least 80%. If this percentage is less, then an individual horse, vaccinated according to all the rules with the best vaccine in the world, has a risk of getting sick if the infection is introduced from the outside. This occurs due to the fact that a sick animal releases a huge amount of the pathogen into the external environment, and the immune system does not have time to produce an adequate amount of antibodies. Experts call this situation a “vaccination breakthrough.” In order to prevent such incidents from happening, it is necessary to draw up a plan of anti-epizootic measures in the club, farm, stud farm as a whole, for the entire population of horses, and not for an individual horse. It must be remembered that no vaccine will give a 100% guarantee that your horse will not get sick if the above rules are not taken into account.

Veterinary legislation It is very important that the animal is provided with comfortable living conditions (this includes feeding, living conditions, and degree of stress), since a weakened body, even in a vaccinated horse, is a very dangerous factor in the breakdown of immunity. All anti-epizootic measures are not carried out at the whim of veterinarians and not in order to mechanically enter them into veterinary certificates. These events, first of all, are necessary for your horses, and ultimately for you, dear horse owners! And what kind of vaccines your horse needs today, in what time frame and with what frequency they should be used is regulated by the Veterinary Legislation of the Russian Federation, with a brief summary of the main points of which let me introduce you in more detail. All therapeutic and preventive measures carried out on farms engaged in keeping or breeding horses are regulated by current rules or instructions approved by the head of the veterinary service of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation. In accordance with the Veterinary Rules for the movement of sports horses across the territory of the Russian Federation, approved on September 28, 2005, all sports, racing and trotting horses must be vaccinated before shipment: within the last 6 months against equine influenza, no more than 12 months before shipment against anthrax and dermatomycosis; tested for glanders, INAN and breeding disease with negative results. The studies are carried out at intervals of 6 months. These rules apply to circus and theatrical horses.

Vaccination procedure In accordance with the Rules for Veterinary Treatment of Animals, with the Instructions for combating various diseases of horses, enshrined in Veterinary Legislation, all horses kept on farms, regardless of their form of ownership, must be subjected to veterinary treatment in the following order: Annual vaccination against anthrax , vaccination or serological testing against leptospirosis, vaccination against influenza. Pregnant mares and young animals are additionally vaccinated against rhinopneumonia. All livestock are examined serologically for glanders, INA, and breeding disease. If the area is unfavorable due to any diseases, the veterinary service may carry out additional studies and treatments.

Immunization against influenza To immunize horses against influenza, two vaccines are officially registered in the Russian Federation and can be used: an inactivated polyvalent vaccine against equine influenza (developed at VIEV, produced at the Privolzhskaya biofactory) and Equilis Ekvenza-T (Intervet, Holland). The effectiveness of vaccination is achieved with a two-time primary administration of the vaccine at an interval of three to six weeks, then after six months, followed by annual revaccination. Here we would like to draw your attention to the fact that since 2006 all horses participating in competitions held under the auspices of the FEI (according to the document Quarterly news FEI Department. No.8, February 2005, p.2) must be vaccinated against equine influenza every six months. It is recommended to vaccinate foals against influenza from the age of 4-6 months.

Anthrax To vaccinate horses against anthrax, domestically produced vaccines are used. The immunization scheme involves a single administration of the vaccine for foals, starting from 9 months of age (in the case of forced vaccination - from 3 months of age), adult horses are immunized annually, during the period of the best physiological state of the body. To avoid complications, it is not recommended to vaccinate animals in the hot season, especially in conditions of scarcity of drinking water, and in cold rainy weather. It is not allowed to vaccinate weak, emaciated animals in the last months of pregnancy.

Leptospirosis Vaccines against leptospirosis in farm animals are recommended to be used with the inclusion of those serovars that are most often detected in a given farm, to determine which the livestock is examined serologically before using the vaccine. If the farm is free from leptospirosis, it is possible to limit itself to only serological testing, without subsequent immunization. It is recommended to start vaccinating horses at one month of age, followed by revaccination after six months.

Dermatophytoses Forced and preventive use of vaccines against equine dermatophytoses involves an initial two-time administration of the vaccine with an interval of 15-20 days, followed by annual revaccination. It is recommended to immunize foals starting at 3 months of age.

Rhinopneumonia To prevent rhinopneumonia in horses, it is recommended to use the domestic vaccine from the SV/69 strain, for pregnant mares - twice: the first time at 1-3 months of pregnancy, again after 3-4 months, but not later than the 7th month of pregnancy. The remaining horses are vaccinated twice with an interval of 3-4 months. Foals are vaccinated for the first time at the age of 3 months and again 3-4 weeks before weaning. Horses are revaccinated annually, twice with an interval of 3-4 months.

From the large amount of information offered to you, dear reader, we hope you will draw conclusions that only a timely and complete program of preventive measures will prevent the occurrence and spread of diseases that can cause health problems for your horses, and thereby - serious economic damage to your horse farm.

Vaccine prevention against Siberian measles

The disease is one of the most dangerous infections, as it can be transmitted to humans. Therefore, all horses need to be administered a live vaccine suspension against the pathology, which will prevent its development in the future. The procedure is indicated for annual use and should be performed by an experienced specialist who has state permission to carry out such manipulations.

During immunization, the owner or employees of the enterprise must be present in the stable. After this, the veterinarian draws up a vaccination report indicating the name of the vaccine, its dosage, as well as the date when the immunization was given.

In accordance with generally accepted veterinary rules that apply to sports horses, their movement to other territories is possible only after immunization. In this case, vaccination against Siberian must be done no earlier than 12 months before the intended transportation.

Prevention of complications after vaccination

Many people are afraid of complications that may arise after the necessary vaccinations for a horse have been completed. Most often they do not happen, because at the moment the vaccines are carefully purified. But since there is still a minimal risk, it is better to play it safe and check the following points:

before vaccinating a horse, you need to make sure that it is not sick;
There should be no signs of equine colic or allergic reactions;
the horse's body temperature must not be lower than 37.5 degrees Celsius and not exceed 38.5 degrees;
if the horse suffers from chronic diseases, they should not be aggravated during vaccination;
Before receiving the vaccine, you should stop using strong drugs such as antibiotics.

You can give the animal a few days of rest after vaccination. This point is optional as vaccines are now safe and very well purified. Horses generally tolerate vaccination normally, however, if the owners still decide to give the animal a rest, it is imperative to reconsider the diet. It is better to exclude oats and various cereals from the menu, but if it is not possible to do without them completely, then you need to at least reduce their consumption to three hundred or, at most, five hundred grams.

Check-up after vaccination

Testing for glanders and other highly contagious infections

Glanders, infectious anemia and breeding disease are pathological conditions that are quite common among representatives of the modern horse herd. To prevent their spread it is necessary to conduct special surveys. According to the recommendations, tests should be taken once a year, and for horses and exhibition representatives - every six months. Research is carried out on a paid basis and only in special state laboratories that have permission for this type of activity.

Mandatory types of vaccinations and vaccinations for horses

Today, there are many different vaccines that are given to animals. The following are the necessary vaccinations for a horse:

A vaccine that prevents the occurrence of anthrax. This vaccination is done every year. This is especially important if the animal is transported from city to city, since according to the law, the horse being transported must have its last vaccination no more than twelve months before the trip.

This vaccine cannot be found on the market because it contains live microorganisms, only weakened ones. It is strictly prohibited to use such a vaccine yourself; only professional veterinarians can administer it. After vaccination, a document confirming the vaccination must be drawn up. It contains the data of the horse’s owners, as well as the doctors who were present when the vaccine was administered.

Examination of the animal for particularly dangerous infections. Such diseases include infectious anemia, glanders and intermittent disease. Typically, horses should be examined every twelve months, however, if the animal takes part in various shows and races, the period is reduced to six months. Additional examinations may be required, for example, blood donation, if epidemics among horses have become more frequent at this time. Such studies are carried out exclusively in public veterinary clinics, and they are usually not free.
Vaccination against equine leptospirosis, or blood testing. Blood is usually tested for this disease no more than once a year. Several vaccines against leptospirosis in horses have been developed to date. Well-proven vaccinations are tolerated normally by horses and no complications arise.

An emergency examination of animal blood for leptospirosis is carried out in the following cases:

before the horse is taken out for breeding purposes;
if there is a suspicion of this disease;
if the animal is in a breeding farm (examination is carried out once every six months).

Despite extraordinary checks, vaccinations and blood tests must be carried out regularly once a year. Vaccinations are recommended for those individuals who are most susceptible to this disease.

Screening for infections

Immunization and screening for leptospirosis

In leptospirosis-free regions, veterinary control is limited to annual studies confirming or denying the presence of leptospira in the body. Blood serum examination for the presence of antibodies to the pathogen is carried out:

in breeding farms twice a year;
out of turn if the development of leptospirosis is suspected;
before transportation for production or breeding purposes.

Mandatory immunization is carried out only for individuals living in areas with unfavorable epidemiology regarding leptospirosis. In order to create reliable immune protection, mares and stallions are given a domestically produced vaccine against leptospirosis, which is well tolerated and does not cause side effects.

Optional vaccinations for horses

In addition to the necessary vaccinations for the horse, it is also recommended to carry out those vaccinations that are not considered mandatory, but veterinarians recommend doing them if there is a danger of contracting a particular disease. Such vaccinations include:

Respiratory fever vaccine

Breeding animals often fall ill with this fever, the danger of which is that it leads to abortion. Therefore, in order for a horse to bear foals, it is highly advisable to undergo this vaccination.

Drugs against rhinopneumonia that are registered and approved for use:

live vaccine SV-69, produced by the Shchelkovo factory;
non-live vaccine "Equilis Resequin", also used against influenza.

Although both rhinopneumonia vaccines are administered once every six months, their administration processes differ from each other. The first, live vaccine is administered initially twice, the interval between these vaccinations is from three to four months. The second drug is also administered twice the first time, however, the difference from the live vaccine is that the interval between applications of this vaccine is from four to six weeks.

Flu shot

Conducting an examination for the presence of brucellosis

Despite the fact that this procedure is not mandatory for horses, unlike cattle, small ruminants, pigs or camels, it is better to examine them for this disease, especially if there is an unfavorable situation on the farm due to brucellosis diseases of other animals, or if you suspect this disease. In addition, animals should be checked if the farm is considered recovered from this disease and restrictions are lifted from it.

Preventing equine tetanus

It is better to do it to absolutely all animals, because recently this infection has been spreading very quickly, and horses are very susceptible to this disease. Two official vaccines against tetanus have been registered - a drug produced by the Oryol factory and an imported one produced in Holland. When vaccinating sports horses, vaccines containing more than one microorganism can be used. For example, one drug is administered against tetanus and influenza. Vaccination with a domestic vaccine is carried out once every three to five years, and when using a Dutch drug - every two years.

Testing for tuberculosis

Conducted once every twelve months. This procedure is not a mandatory requirement, because horses suffer from this disease very rarely, and it occurs in a mild or hidden form.

Rabies vaccination for horses

Recommended for all horses, although it is not considered mandatory. Frequent cases of rabies speak for themselves; in addition, stray animals affected by this disease can attack horses, infecting them with this dangerous infection. Vaccination can be carried out using one of two drugs - domestic and produced in Holland under the name “Nobivak Rabies”. The latest vaccine can be used not only for horses, but also for any other animals.

Anti-rabies drug “Nobivak Rabies”

If the area in which the horses live is considered unfavorable for some disease, veterinarians prescribe auxiliary examinations or vaccinations.

Equine flu vaccination

Primary immunization against a viral infection consists of two or three consecutive injections of a vaccine solution, the application regimen and dose of which depend on the manufacturer. Repeated injections of the equine influenza vaccine are carried out once a year as prescribed by a veterinarian.

To instill immunity, only certified drugs are used. Their list may vary depending on the circulation of virus strains in nature, their aggressiveness and tendency to modify. In recent years, several vaccines have been considered officially approved in Russia:

domestic inactivated polyvalent vaccine against equine influenza produced by the Volga Biofactory;
Dutch combination solution for influenza viral agents and tetanus;
Dutch immune suspension for influenza pathology and rhinopneumonia “Intervet”.

Preparations for vaccination

Prevention of influenza diseases, which is the annual administration of a vaccine. First you need to do a double or triple treatment. Double vaccination is done within two to six weeks, while three-time vaccination is done first from three to six weeks, and then after six months. It is imperative to purchase only those vaccines that are officially registered. This is important because influenza viruses can be different from each other, and they also tend to mutate.

There are professional laboratories that study the behavior of these viruses, and are constantly making new recommendations regarding the use of anti-influenza drugs. Based on how viruses behave at the moment, professionals advise which vaccine should be used and which one should be abandoned. Today, three drugs are considered officially registered:

The drug “Equilis Prequenza”
is an anti-influenza vaccine for horses produced by the Volga factory;
the drug "Equilis Prequenza Te", manufactured by the Dutch company Intervet;
the Equilis Resequin vaccine, produced by the same company as the previous one.

Vaccination against dermatophytoses, which are fungal diseases. This vaccine is administered once every twelve months. The first time the drug is administered twice with a break of ten to fourteen days. The vaccine against dermatophytosis can be of two types - live and non-live. The latter differs in that the microorganisms contained in it were treated in such a way that they lost the ability to reproduce. After using live vaccines, a more intense immunity is developed, so it is better to use them in areas that are not free from this disease.

Among other things, we should not forget that at least eighty percent of the horses in one farm must be vaccinated. Otherwise, animals may get sick, even if they have received absolutely all vaccinations. This happens because a sick horse releases a lot of the pathogen, which breaks through the immune system, even one protected by vaccination.

Protection against dermatophytoses

Most often, veterinarians have to deal with dermatophytoses in the form of microsporia and trichophytosis. They affect the hair and skin, causing hair loss and the formation of bare, inflamed areas on the surface of the body. The primary procedure is carried out among the livestock of the stable twice with an interval between injections of two weeks. Then the vaccination must be repeated every year, vaccinating at least 80% of the total number of individuals.

Prevention of rhinopneumonia

In some regions, immunization against equine rhinopneumonia is not mandatory. In most cases, these are epizootic-free regions where the disease is not diagnosed for several years. In less secure areas, veterinarians insist on vaccinations for sports and racing animals, which are frequently transported and must always look immaculate.

For immunoprophylaxis use:

Russian-made live vaccine that protects against equine rhinopneumonia;
inactivated prophylactic suspension of a combined type (for rhinopneumonia and influenza infection) produced by the Dutch.

Mandatory sanitary measures

Despite the importance of vaccinations in horses, they are not the only mandatory measures. Every year it is necessary to carry out planned sanitary and veterinary measures, which include:

Prevention against worms, which must be carried out every six months. If horses live in crowded conditions, such treatment should be more frequent up to once every three months.
We should not forget that parasites have a very developed ability to resist one or another drug. For this reason, the same vaccines or different drugs, but with the same active microorganism, are prohibited for several years.
It is recommended to consult with a doctor at your veterinary clinic, who will explain how to alternate the use of vaccines against various parasites. With the correct alternation of vaccinations, worms do not have time to adapt to the injected drug, which guarantees the horse’s health and protection from parasites even in the summer, when worms develop faster.
The veterinary station must be provided with special acts and documents indicating that preventive measures have been taken against worms and parasites. Such documents are transmitted to the station at least once every six months.
Carrying out disinfection and disinfestation work, as well as deratization.
All these sanitary and veterinary measures are aimed at preventing the occurrence of infectious and invasive diseases in horses, reducing the number of causative agents of various diseases, which guarantees a reduction in the likelihood of disease in horses.
It is allowed to carry out such activities without expelling animals or people from the stable, since today the drugs used for these purposes are practically non-toxic and are safe for humans or horses.
However, despite this, you should not carry out disinfection work yourself. It is necessary to invite professionals specializing in this area who will carry out sanitization efficiently and correctly. Moreover, now there are many similar official companies engaged in disinfection work.

Anti-brucellosis measures

Brucellosis is one of the diseases that occurs quite rarely on horse farms and other farms. It most often affects pigs, cattle and camels. The test for the presence of brucellosis pathogens is carried out according to indications:

the presence of individuals on farms that have been cleared of brucellosis, from which restrictions in force up to a specific moment have been lifted;
the presence of the main symptom of the disease in stallions or mares - arthritis;
location of livestock in a region with a high risk of infection.

Tetanus immunization

Tetanus is a fatal disease that cannot be cured. The only way to avoid infection is routine immunization. On horse farms, immunoprophylaxis against tetanus is conditionally unchanged, that is, it is recommended for implementation. Good results in this matter can be obtained with a domestic immune drug against tetanus, which must be administered once every 3-5 years. It is customary for sporting individuals to administer an inactivated complex suspension of foreign production (Holland), which simultaneously protects against influenza pathogens.

Activities aimed at preventing tuberculosis

As statistical studies show, in the territory of the native state, tuberculosis infection is not common among the inhabitants of stables and horse farms. Despite this, veterinarians emphasize the need for annual examination of livestock for the presence of external and laboratory signs of the disease.

Disinfection, disinfestation and deratization measures

Many infectious pathologies are transmitted by insects and rodents. Therefore, their destruction is an important component in the structure of disease prevention. To rid the farm of potential carriers of infections, it is recommended to treat their territory with special substances that kill pests. These solutions must be safe for other inhabitants of the business enterprise or yard, have minimal toxicity, and act quickly and effectively. Before using such products, you must ensure that they are authentic and have a license confirming their safe use.