Horse Vaccines: Which Vaccines Does My Horse Need?

Updated Jan. 28, 2025
Horse vaccine administration

iStock/K Neville

Equine vaccines are an essential part of maintaining a healthy, happy horse.

Horse immunizations are meant to create immunity against specific diseases. By vaccinating your horse for these diseases, you reduce the risk of the horse getting sick, or if they happen to get sick, it will lessen the severity of the disease and likely will be less contagious.

Vaccines are created with either killed viruses, or some are "modified live" meaning they are no longer able to cause infection. When given to the horse, the vaccines cause the body to form antibodies to help protect the horse from disease.

Key Takeaways

  • Vaccines for horses help create immunity against specific diseases.
  • Core vaccines are required for every horse, while risk-based vaccines should be considered based on your horse's unique risk level.
  • Vaccines should be given annually, with some types given semi-annually.

Which Vaccines Does My Horse Need?

Horse vaccines are categorized by the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) as either core vaccines or risk-based vaccines.

  • Core vaccines are considered essential vaccines that every horse, no matter their lifestyle or risk, should be vaccinated against because they pose a risk to every horse and are potentially fatal.

  • Risk-based vaccines are vaccines that should be considered and discussed with your veterinarian based on your horse's unique risk, geological location, and lifestyle. 

Equine vaccines come in single doses targeting specific conditions, or you can choose to give multi-way vaccines, which cover multiple conditions in one dose.

Core Vaccines for Horses

Risk-Based Equine Vaccines

Horse Vaccination Schedule

The following horse vaccination charts contain the recommended immunization schedules for adult horses after initial vaccination.

Core Vaccines

VaccineFrequencyNotes

Eastern/Western Equine Encephalitis

Annual/spring, prior to onset of vector season

Consider six-month revaccination interval for high-risk situations and regions of increased occurrence

Rabies

AnnualN/A

Tetanus

Annual

Booster at time of penetrating injury or prior to surgery if vaccine was given over six months previously

West Nile Virus

Annual/spring, prior to onset of mosquito seasonN/A

 

Risk-Based Vaccines 

VaccineFrequencyNotes

Anthrax

AnnualN/A

Botulism

AnnualN/A

Equine Herpesvirus (EHV)

AnnualN/A

Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA)

AnnualN/A

Equine Influenza 

AnnualN/A

Leptospirosis

AnnualN/A

Potomac Horse Fever (PHF)

Semi-annual to annual

Revaccination interval of every three to four months may be recommended for horses in endemic areas with high risk

Rotavirus

3-dose series during pregnancyGiven to broodmares only

Snake Bite

Semi-annual

Recommended for geologic areas of high risk, with venomous snakes

Strangles

Semi-annual to annual due to lifestyle risk

Horses in high-risk lifestyles include horses competing more than six months of the year or in boarding/training facilities

 

Horse Vaccination FAQs

What is the 5-way and 3-way vaccine for horses?

The 5-way vaccines typically include: EEE, WEE, EIV, EHV, and tetanus.

The 3-way vaccines typically include: EEE, WEE, and tetanus.

There are other combination vaccines that may include additional components, but these are the most common.

What is the best time of year to give horse vaccines?

Generally, vaccines are recommended to be given in the spring before riding season begins to give the horse the most protection. Some vaccines may require a booster in the fall, depending on the horse's lifestyle and risk level.  

Do show horses need additional vaccines?

Yes, horses that are being shown need to be given additional vaccines. They are at risk for other diseases, such as influenza and strangles, due to traveling and being exposed to new horses and facilities. 

References

 AAEP. Vaccination guidelines. 2020.

References


Jennifer Rice, DVM, CVSMT

WRITTEN BY

Jennifer Rice, DVM, CVSMT

Veterinarian

Dr. Jennifer Rice is a 2017 graduate from Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine where she specialized in Equine medicine. Since graduating...


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