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Why a Veterinarian Should Vaccinate Your Horse

Mar 12, 2014

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Q:  Why can't we give our horses their vaccines ourselves? My barn friend said my shots would not count if I give them myself.

A:  Thank you for sending in your question about vaccinating your horse. Vaccinations are critical to help protect your horse against debilitating and potentially life-threatening diseases such as rabies, West Nile virus, Eastern equine encephalomyelitis, and Western equine encephalomyelitis, along with some additional diseases such as equine herpesvirus, equine influenza, and Potomac horse fever.

I don’t recommend that owners administer their horses’ vaccinations for a number of reasons. First of all, it is important to make sure your horse is receiving the proper vaccinations, both core and risk-based (as defined by the American Association of Equine Practitioners), and the best person to determine what your horse needs is your veterinarian.

Source: TheHorse