It’s that time of year when horses start moving everywhere whether to shows, fairs, trails, or the breeder’s. It’s also a great way to spread disease and stress. By now horses should have received their spring time vaccinations and check-ups but we will review some of the things you can do in case you forgot or didn’t know.
Vaccinations:
All horses should be getting Tetanus and West Nile vaccinations yearly. It is best to give West Nile in the spring or early summer so that the antibody levels are highest when the most mosquitoes are out. For those of you who travel to the east coast you may consider giving West Nile every six months. Eastern and Western Encephalitis vaccination should also be given in the spring or early summer. This vaccine is more important for readers in California and horses traveling east of the Cascade Mountains and beyond.
Influenza and Rhinopneumonitis (Flu/Rhino) vaccination is especially important for horses in large stables and horses competing in shows and fairs. As with any vaccine this needs to be given at least 2 weeks before anticipated stress. Also, immunity to these viruses is short lived so it is helpful to give this vaccine 2 to 3 times per year for actively competing horses. Intranasal vaccines may be more effective at inducing better immunity for Influenza.
Strangles vaccine can be useful when traveling to barns that have had recent outbreaks. The intranasal vaccination may be more effective and with less complications than the injectable vaccines.
Above all check with your veterinarian or contacts in the area where you will be traveling to get information about what diseases are prevalent.
Annual Physical Exam:
Spring and early summer is a good time to assess your horse’s general health and well being. Identifying health concerns early may help to prevent a disaster on the road or at a show. Annual exams consist of a thorough physical, history, body condition scoring, and dental check up. Dental exams and teeth floating can also improve horse performance by increasing feed efficiency and mouth comfort.
Physical exams are a good time to discuss management concerns and nutrition, especially for horses with metabolic concerns such as HYPP, tying-up, and Cushing’s Disease.
Hoof Care:
Hooves are always a concern coming out of a wet winter, especially in the Northwest. Farriers don’t like to have to perform miracles the day before a show. Your farrier and veterinarian can help you identify problem areas of hoof and leg conformation that could affect performance.
Health Certificates:
Horses that travel out of state and out of the country will need a health certificate and Coggins Blood test. Be sure to check with your veterinarian and/or the state or country you are traveling to get the requirements of that area for health certificates. It may take a few days to a week to complete the necessary requirements such as lab tests and federal endorsement so plan ahead if possible.
Some fairs and shows may also require veterinary inspections before or at the show. Horses must be free of contagious diseases and suitable for public display (i.e. good body condition, no ringworm, etc.). An exam prior to the show season can help prevent being sent home at the show.
At the Fair/Show:
Fairs and horse shows can be incredibly stressful to horses and owners alike. Of chief concern is feed and water consumption. It’s good to bring some hay and feed from home to mix in with the provided food to help the transition. Probiotics in the form of pastes or feed supplements may also help with appetite and gastrointestinal health.
The chief complaint that we hear as veterinarians is water consumption. Horses can be very picky when it comes to water flavor and even temperature. Some people bring some of their own water supply to keep the horses drinking, but this is usually not practical for longer trips or stays. Adding flavor to the water in the form of Kool-Aid packets, apple juice, or electrolytes can sometimes help mask the taste and smell of “city water” and keep the horses drinking. We usually recommend having plain water available as well. Salt blocks as always are a necessity.
Copyright © 2008 The NW Horse Source, LLC
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