The American Association of Equine Practitioners introduced new, updated recommendations for vaccination of broodmares, foals, and weanlings in October of 2005.  Years ago, most veterinarians recommended that foals be vaccinated for sleeping sickness (encephalomyelitis) and tetanus with two injections given three-to-six weeks apart starting at three-to-four months of age.  All horses then got yearly boosters of each kind of vaccine, usually given in the spring.  Recent information leads to more complicated recommendations for foals based on the recent vaccination history of their dams. 

We now understand that mares given booster vaccinations four-to-six weeks before foaling will provide many more protective antibodies to their foals in the colostrum (first milk)*.  Foals must receive this antibody-rich colostrum within their first 12-24 hours of life while their digestive tracts are still permeable to the large molecules.  By 24 hours after birth, foals digestive tracts close down to these life-saving antibodies.  If you think your foals have not nursed within several hours of birth or if your mares do not seem to have milk, call your veterinarian immediately! 

We now believe that if we vaccinate our foals (from boostered mares) before five months of age, the mares’ antibodies usually interfere with the new vaccine leaving the foal less protected from infections.  The new recommendation (Table 1) is to start vaccinating foals at about six months of age for West Nile virus, sleeping sickness, tetanus and other diseases and to do a series of three, not two, vaccines at monthly intervals followed by yearly boosters.  Influenza vaccinations should start at about nine months of age, since the maternal antibodies to influenza decay at a slower rate.  If strangles is a concern on a particular farm, vaccinations can begin at earlier ages*. 

Foals of mares, not given boosters four-to-six weeks before foaling (Table 2), should be vaccinated starting at four months of age with the series of three vaccinations.  Tables 1 and 2 outline general vaccination schedules for foals and young horses as recommended by the American Association of Equine Practitioners*.  Horse owners should consult their veterinarians for recommended vaccines and vaccination schedules in their area. 

Mares should be vaccinated at four-to-six weeks prior to foaling, since this allows them to provide better immunity to their foals.  Also, be sure to practice good hygiene at foaling time, offer optimal parasite control and use FORAGE FIRST^® feeding programs to maximize your foals’ potential for growth and performance.  For free feeding recommendations for mares and foals, call the Equine Nutrition HELPLINE at 1 (800) 680-8254. 

Be sure to handle, store and administer vaccines according to recommendations from the manufacturers*. 

 

Table 1.  Vaccination recommendations for foals of mares vaccinated four-to-six weeks prior to foaling*
Disease/Vaccine	1st Dose	2nd Dose	3rd Dose
Tetanus Toxoid	6 months	7 months	8 months
Encephalomyelitis (EEE, WEE, VEE)	6 months	7 months	8 months
West Nile Virus	6 months	7 months	8 months
Influenza (flu)	9 months	10 months	11 months
Equine Herpes Virus (Rhino)	6 months	7 months	8 months
Streptococcus equi (Strangles) injectable	4-6 months	5-7 months	7-8 months
Streptococcus equi (Strangles) intranasal	6-9 months	3 weeks later
Rabies	6 months	7 months	8 months

  

Table 2.  Vaccination recommendations for foals of mares NOT vaccinated four-to-six weeks prior to foaling*
Disease/Vaccine	1st Dose	2nd Dose	3rd Dose
Tetanus Toxoid	4 months	5 months	6 months
Encephalomyelitis (EEE, WEE, VEE)	4 months	5 months	6 months
West Nile Virus	4 months	5 months	6 months
Influenza (flu)	6 months	7 months	8 months
Equine Herpes Virus (Rhino)	4 months	5 months	6 months
Streptococcus equi (Strangles) injectable	4-6 months	5-7 months	7-8 months
Streptococcus equi (Strangles) intranasal	4-6 months	3 weeks later
Rabies	4 months	5 months	6 months

 *T. R. Lenz, D.V.M., M.S. Foal Vaccinations, American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, October, 2004, p. 8. 

 

For More Information e-mail at AN_EquineHelp@admworld.com

or call toll free
EQUINE NUTRITION HELPLINE
1-800-680-8254
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ADM Alliance Nutrition, Inc. 1000 North 30th Street P.O. Box C1 Quincy, IL USA 62305-3155