Vaccination Center

Horse Vaccination Center

Every horse needs the core four. Risk-based vaccines depend on travel, barn, region and breeding. Use the free plan builder to turn AAEP schedules into real dates for adults, pregnant mares and foals.

1. Core four Tetanus, EEE/WEE, West Nile and rabies for every horse.
2. Add risk-based Chosen by travel, barn, region and breeding.
3. Get dates A dated plan for adults, pregnant mares and foals.

The basics

Core vs risk-based horse vaccines

The AAEP splits equine vaccines into two groups. There is no single schedule for every horse, so your vet adds risk-based vaccines to the core four.

Core vaccines

For nearly every horse, whatever its job or location.

• Tetanus Spores in soil, enter through wounds
• EEE / WEE Mosquito-borne brain infection
• West Nile virus Mosquito-borne nerve disease
• Rabies Always fatal, risk to people

Risk-based vaccines

Added when travel, barn traffic, region, age or breeding raise the risk.

• Influenza and EHV Shows, travel, boarding, young horses
• Strangles Busy barns, frequent new arrivals
• Potomac horse fever Near rivers and irrigated pasture
• Botulism, leptospirosis, rotavirus Feed, water, wildlife and breeding farms

Free tool

Horse vaccine plan builder

Answer a few questions to get a dated plan based on AAEP guidelines, the risk-based vaccines worth discussing and questions for your vet.

Choose your horse type and add the date the plan needs, such as a foaling date or birth date.

Core vaccines

The four vaccines every horse needs

Some combination products cover several of these in one shot. Check the label to see which ones your product includes.

Tetanus

Tetanus spores live in soil and manure everywhere. Any wound, even a small puncture, or surgery, castration or foaling can let them in. It is often fatal.

Spread by

Wounds and punctures, including hoof punctures

Vaccinated before

Once a year

Unknown history

2 doses, 4 to 6 weeks apart, then yearly

Foals

3 doses from 4 to 6 months (from 3 to 4 months if the mare was not vaccinated)

Booster at the time of a wound or surgery if the last dose was more than 6 months ago.

Eastern and Western encephalomyelitis (EEE/WEE)

Viral brain infections spread by mosquitoes. EEE kills most horses that develop signs. WEE is milder but still serious.

Spread by

Mosquito bites, highest in summer and early fall

Vaccinated before

Once a year, before mosquito season

Unknown history

2 doses, 4 to 6 weeks apart, then yearly

Foals

3 doses: 4 to 6 months, 4 to 6 weeks later, and 10 to 12 months

Ask about every 6 months for horses under 5 or where mosquitoes are active most of the year.

West Nile virus

A mosquito-borne virus that attacks the nervous system. About one in three unvaccinated horses that show signs dies or is euthanized.

Spread by

Mosquito bites, highest from summer into fall

Vaccinated before

Once a year, before mosquito season

Unknown history

2 doses, 4 to 6 weeks apart, then yearly

Foals

3 doses: 4 to 6 months, 4 to 6 weeks later, and 10 to 12 months

Ask about every 6 months where mosquito season is long. Pregnant mares that were never vaccinated are best started when open.

Rabies

Always fatal once signs appear, and it can spread to people. Any horse that could meet a bat, fox, raccoon or skunk is at risk.

Spread by

Bites from infected wildlife

Vaccinated before

Once a year

Unknown history

1 dose, then yearly

Foals

2 doses from 4 to 6 months, 4 to 6 weeks apart (1 dose if the mare was not vaccinated)

Pregnant mares: 4 to 6 weeks before foaling, or after foaling and before breeding.

Risk-based vaccines

Vaccines that depend on your horse's life

Use these to start the conversation with your vet. Region, barn and travel patterns decide which ones apply.

Equine influenza

Consider if: Shows, clinics, trail rides off the farm, boarding barns, any contact with outside horses.

Vaccinated before: Every 6 months with ongoing exposure, yearly if exposure is low.

First time: Killed vaccine: 2 or 3 doses, 3 to 4 weeks apart. Or a single intranasal dose of modified-live vaccine.

USEF-licensed shows require it within 6 months before arrival.

Equine herpesvirus (EHV-1/EHV-4)

Consider if: Young horses, show and travel horses, breeding farms, horses that share space with pregnant mares.

Vaccinated before: Yearly, or every 6 months for higher-risk horses.

First time: 2 or 3 doses, 3 to 4 weeks apart, depending on the product.

Reduces respiratory disease and shedding. No vaccine is labeled to prevent the neurologic form. Pregnant mares need a product labeled for abortion at 5, 7 and 9 months.

Strangles

Consider if: Busy barns with frequent new arrivals, shows, rescue and sale facilities.

Vaccinated before: Yearly, or before expected exposure.

First time: Killed vaccine: 3 doses, 3 weeks apart. Or intranasal: 2 doses, 2 to 3 weeks apart.

Not a tool for stopping an outbreak already under way. Horses that had strangles may need a blood test first.

Potomac horse fever

Consider if: Horses near rivers, streams, ponds or irrigated pasture in areas where PHF occurs.

Vaccinated before: Every 6 to 12 months, timed before summer. Every 3 to 4 months in high-risk areas.

First time: 2 doses, 3 to 4 weeks apart.

Reduces severity but does not guarantee protection.

Botulism

Consider if: Horses fed haylage or round bales, or living where botulism is common (such as Kentucky and the mid-Atlantic).

Vaccinated before: Yearly. Pregnant mares 4 to 6 weeks before foaling.

First time: 3 doses, 4 weeks apart.

Ask your vet about foals on farms where botulism has occurred.

Leptospirosis

Consider if: Access to standing water or wildlife, or areas where leptospirosis is common.

Vaccinated before: Yearly.

First time: 2 doses, 3 to 4 weeks apart.

Linked to moon blindness (uveitis), abortion and kidney disease.

Rotavirus (broodmares)

Consider if: Pregnant mares on farms where foals have had rotavirus diarrhea.

Vaccinated before: 3 doses each pregnancy.

First time: First dose at 8 months of gestation, then 2 more doses 4 weeks apart.

Protects the foal through the mare's colostrum.

Special cases

Consider if: Anthrax (endemic areas), equine viral arteritis (breeding stallions and some mares), Venezuelan encephalitis (southern border or travel).

Vaccinated before: Only where your vet says the risk applies.

First time: Follow your vet's protocol.

Anthrax and EVA vaccines are not for pregnant mares. EVA vaccination can affect export, so test first.

Schedules

Horse vaccination schedule by life stage

A summary of the AAEP guidelines. Use it to check your plan, then confirm products and timing with your vet.

Timing

Get the most from every vaccine

Small timing decisions make a big difference to how well a vaccine protects.

Beat the mosquitoes

Give EEE/WEE and West Nile in spring so immunity peaks before mosquito season. Ask about a second dose 6 months later where the season is long.

Two weeks before travel

Protection takes about 2 weeks to build. A horse starting from scratch needs the full series finished first.

Know the show rules

USEF-licensed shows require flu and EHV vaccines within 6 months before arrival. Check each show's own rules too.

Tetanus after a wound

If the last tetanus dose was more than 6 months ago, ask for a booster at the time of a wound or surgery.

Only vaccinate healthy horses

Skip the vaccine if your horse has a fever or is unwell. Plan an easy day afterwards; gentle movement helps neck soreness.

Intranasal strangles last

Give injectable vaccines first, or on a different day. This keeps strangles bacteria away from injection sites, where they can cause abscesses.

Read the combination label

Product names like 5-way differ between brands. Check which diseases are covered so nothing is missed or doubled up.

Keep the sticker

Record the product, lot number, date and injection site. You need them for reactions, shows and a new vet.

Side effects

Vaccine reactions: what is normal and when to call

Most horses handle vaccines well. Take your horse's temperature the evening after vaccines so you know what is normal for them.

Normal for 24 to 48 hours

• Sore or stiff neck may not want to lower its head to eat
• Small firm swelling at the injection site
• Quieter than usual or eating a little less for a day
• Low fever under 38.6 °C (101.5 °F) for up to 24 hours

Call your vet today

• Fever over 38.6 °C (101.5 °F) or lasting more than 24 hours
• Swelling that grows hot, very painful or draining
• Not eating for more than a day
• Lameness or stiffness that gets worse rather than better

Call your vet now

• Trouble breathing or sudden distress, sweating or collapse
• Hives or facial swelling welts over the body or swollen muzzle and eyes
• Colic signs within hours of vaccination
• Stumbling or tremors any neurologic change

Normal vital signs Fever temperature chart Vaccination schedule guide

Records

Keep every vaccine record in one place

Shows, new barns and new vets all ask for proof. A complete record also helps your vet spot a reaction pattern.

• Date, product and lot number for every dose
• Booster reminders before they are due
• Reactions logged with temperature and time
• Separate records for every horse

Start Horse Tracker Free

Exact date, brand, product name and lot number for each dose.

Next due dates for yearly and 6-month boosters, set when you log the dose.

Who vaccinated, injection site and your vet's instructions.

Temperature, swelling and behaviour after each vaccine, with times.

One profile per horse, so records never get mixed up in a shared barn.

Pull up dates and products in seconds for shows, barns and a new vet.

Keep learning

Vaccine guides and tools

Deeper reading on the diseases these vaccines protect against.

5-way vaccine planner

Organize timing, boosters and reminders for a 5-way vaccine program.

Prefer paper? Get the printable annual vaccination planner with a 12-month schedule and reaction log.

Never miss a booster again

Log every vaccine in Horse Tracker and get reminders before boosters are due. Start free with one horse.

Explore Horse Tracker Start Horse Tracker Free

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What vaccines are core for horses?

The AAEP core vaccines are tetanus, Eastern and Western equine encephalomyelitis (EEE/WEE), West Nile virus and rabies. They are recommended for nearly every horse because the diseases are severe, widespread or a risk to people.

Do horses need vaccines every year?

Yes. Horses that have been vaccinated before need core vaccines once a year. Some horses need certain vaccines every 6 months, such as influenza and EHV for show horses, or EEE/WEE and West Nile where mosquitoes are active most of the year.

When is the best time to vaccinate a horse?

Give mosquito-borne vaccines (EEE/WEE and West Nile) in spring, before mosquito season. Finish any vaccine at least 2 weeks before travel or a show. Pregnant mares get their boosters 4 to 6 weeks before foaling to load the colostrum with antibodies.

What is a 5-way vaccine for horses?

It is a combination of five protections in one shot, but brands differ. Many 5-way products cover EEE, WEE, tetanus, influenza and EHV (rhino). Others swap in West Nile. Some products combine all core diseases, including rabies. Always read the label and ask your vet which gaps remain.

Are risk-based vaccines optional?

They depend on your horse's risk. A show horse or a horse in a busy boarding barn faces far more respiratory disease than a horse on a quiet farm. Your vet weighs travel, barn traffic, region, age and breeding status to decide which ones your horse needs.

What vaccines are required for USEF shows?

USEF rules require proof of equine influenza and equine herpesvirus (rhinopneumonitis) vaccines given within the 6 months before the horse enters the grounds. Check the current rule and any extra requirements from the show itself.

Can horses have vaccine reactions?

Yes, usually mild: a sore neck, a small swelling or a low fever for a day. Hives, facial swelling, trouble breathing, colic, a fever over 38.6 °C (101.5 °F) for more than 24 hours or a fast-growing swelling need a vet call.

What does a foal's vaccine schedule look like?

Foals from vaccinated mares usually start core vaccines at 4 to 6 months, get a second dose 4 to 6 weeks later and a third at 10 to 12 months. Foals from unvaccinated mares may start tetanus earlier, at 3 to 4 months. Plan it with your vet.

How should I keep horse vaccine records?

Record the date, product name, lot number, injection site, who gave it and any reaction. Keep the next due dates in the same place. Horse Tracker stores this for every horse and sends booster reminders.

Vaccine information is educational and follows the AAEP vaccination guidelines. Work with a licensed veterinarian to choose products and timing for your horse.