How often should I vaccinate my horse?
It depends on which diseases you and your veterinarian have determined your horse may be at risk for through its environment and activities.
While vaccination protocols vary from horse to horse, the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) has developed a set of schedule guidelines for core and risk-based horse vaccines. Discuss with your veterinarian how these guidelines can be implemented as part of your annual horse treatment.
young foals are more vulnerable to infection.
AAEP vaccination guidelines
Core vaccination schedule- Unvaccinated:
two-dose series, 4–6 weeks apart - Vaccinated:
annual (spring)
Three-dose series, with intervals varying based on vaccination status of the mare and geographical location
- Unvaccinated:
two-dose series, 4–6 weeks apart; booster 4–6 weeks pre-partum - Vaccinated:
annual (spring); booster 4–6 weeks pre-partum
- Unvaccinated:
two-dose series, interval varying with vaccine type - Vaccinated:
annual (spring)
Three-dose series, with intervals varying based on vaccination status of the mare, vaccination type, and geographical location
- Unvaccinated:
preferable to vaccinate when open; if at high risk, follow protocol for unvaccinated, adult horses - Vaccinated:
annual; booster 4–6 weeks pre-partum
- Unvaccinated:
single dose - Vaccinated:
annual
- Unvaccinated mare:
single dose - Vaccinated mare:
two-dose series, 4–6 weeks apart, starting at six months of age
- Annual; booster 4–6 weeks pre-partum OR
- Prior to breeding
- Unvaccinated:
two-dose series, 4–6 weeks apart - Vaccinated:
annual - Additional booster in event of injury if > 6 months since previous vaccination
Three-dose series, with intervals varying based on vaccination status of the mare
- Unvaccinated:
two-dose series, 4–6 weeks apart; booster 4–6 weeks pre-partum - Vaccinated:
annual; booster 4–6 weeks pre-partum
- Unvaccinated:
initial series varies with vaccine type - Vaccinated:
annual or semi-annual depending on risk
Two- or three- dose series, with intervals varying with vaccination status of the mare and vaccine type
- Unvaccinated:
initial series varies with vaccine type - Vaccinated:
semi-annual; booster 4–6 weeks pre-partum
- Unvaccinated:
three-dose series, 4–6 weeks apart - Vaccinated:
annual; six-month booster for horses at higher risk
Three-dose series, with intervals, varying with vaccination status of the mare
Three-dose series with product against EHV abortion at 5, 7, and 9 months of gestation
- Unvaccinated:
two-dose series, 3–4 weeks apart - Vaccinated:
annual or semi-annual depending on risk
Two-dose series, with interval varying with vaccination status of the mare
- Unvaccinated:
two-dose series, 7–9 weeks and 4–6 weeks pre-partum - Vaccinated:
semi-annual; booster 4–6 weeks pre-partum
- Unvaccinated:
two- or three-dose series, depending on vaccine type - Vaccinated:
semi-annual or annual depending on risk
N/A
- Unvaccinated:
three-dose series, 2–4 weeks apart (killed vaccine) - Vaccinated:
semi-annual; booster 4–6 weeks pre-partum (killed vaccine)
- *AAEP Adult Vaccination Chart.
- †AAEP Foal Vaccination Chart.
- Visit aaep.org for complete guidelines.
about developing your customized vaccination plan.