Core Vaccines

Regular vaccinations can protect your horse from infectious diseases such as West Nile Virus, Equine Influenza, Rabies, Tetanus, Rhinopneumonitis, and encephalomyelopathies (sleeping sickness).

AAEP Core Vaccines include: Rabies, WNV, F/R, Eastern and Western Encephalitis, and Tetanus

Influenza: 

A highly contagious respiratory disease in horses transmitted through aerosols such as sneezing, snorting. 

Clinical Signs: Coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, depression, and lack of appetite. 

AAEP Recommendation: Vaccinating 2-3x/year depending on the level of exposure to other horses and new locations.  

Rhinopneumonitis: 

EHV-1 and EHV-4 strains that cause highly contagious respiratory infections. General prevention includes regular cleaning water buckets and minimizing direct contact with other horses. 

Clinical Signs: Nasal discharge, depression, sneezing. 

AAEP Recommendation:  Vaccinating 2-3x/year depending on the level of exposure to other horses and new locations. 

Rabies: 

Rabies is caused by a virus found in the saliva of infected mammals. It is transmitted to animals and humans by bites or potentially by contamination of an open cut or mucous membrane with saliva from the infected animal. Although it is relatively uncommon, it is crucial as there is no treatment, and it can be spread to humans.

Clinical Signs: Range from subtle changes to severe neurological symptoms such as ataxia. 

AAEP Recommendation:  Vaccinating 1x/year.  

Eastern/Western/Venezuelan Encephalitis: 

Also called sleeping sickness and is transmitted through mosquitoes. 

Clinical Signs: Fever, neurological signs, and hypersensitivity. 

AAEP Recommendation:  Vaccinating 1x/year.  

West Nile Virus: 

A neurological disease that is transmitted from mosquitoes. 

Clinical Signs: Muscle tremors, inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, fever, depression, and loss of coordination. 

AAEP Recommendation:  Vaccinating are 1-2x/year.  

Tetanus: 

Also known as lockjaw, tetanus is a toxin that is found in soil and the intestinal tract of many animals. Bacterial spores can be transmitted to the body via puncture wounds, lacerations, and the umbilicus of infected foals. 

Clinical Signs: include muscle rigidity, flared nostrils, hypersensitivity, stiff legs, and stiffening of facial muscles. 

AAEP Recommendation:  Vaccinating 1x/year and a booster after any puncture wound.  

Strangles: 

Noncore, but important depending on exposure risk in geographic locations. Streptococcus equi bacteria cause it. Highly contagious, this disease affects lymph nodes of the neck and head as well as the upper respiratory system. 

Clinical Signs: include fever, nasal discharge, and enlarged lymph nodes. 

AAEP Recommendation:  Vaccinating 1x/year.  

See the chart below for our recommendations on when and what to vaccinate the adult performance horse within California.