Horse vaccination schedule: core and risk-based vaccines
Which vaccines every adult horse needs each year, which depend on travel, shows and region, and how to keep the dates straight, following the AAEP guidelines.
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Short answer
Every adult horse needs four core vaccines from the AAEP list: tetanus, Eastern and Western equine encephalomyelitis, West Nile virus and rabies, usually once a year. Others, such as influenza, rhinopneumonitis and strangles, depend on how much your horse travels and meets other horses. Your veterinarian sets the final plan.
Choose this if
A paper chart on the barn door works for one horse with a simple yearly plan.
Choose the other option if
Trotley helps when you look after several horses, travel to shows or need boosters at different times of year.
At a glance
| Feature | Paper chart | Trotley |
|---|---|---|
| Records each shot with date and product | Partlyif you write it down | Yes |
| Reminds you before a booster is due | No | Yes |
| Several horses in one calendar | Partlyone sheet each | Yesfiltered by horse |
| Keeps the vet visits and papers with it | No | Yesdocuments and photos per horse |
| Report for a new owner or a show | No | YesPDF and CSV |
| Works without signal at the barn | Yes | Yesoffline first |
The four core vaccines
The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) calls four vaccines core: they protect against diseases that are everywhere, dangerous and hard to treat, and every adult horse should have them whatever its job.
A horse that was never vaccinated, or whose history is unknown, starts with a primary series: two doses four to six weeks apart for most vaccines, one dose for rabies. After that, the boosters below keep it protected.
- Tetanus: a booster once a year, and an extra dose at the time of a wound or surgery if the last one was more than six months earlier.
- Eastern and Western equine encephalomyelitis (EEE/WEE): once a year before mosquito season; in areas with long mosquito seasons your veterinarian may advise every six months.
- West Nile virus: once a year before mosquito season, and more often where the risk is high.
- Rabies: once a year.
Risk-based vaccines
The second list depends on the horse’s life: how often it travels, whether it meets horses from other barns, the region and whether it is used for breeding. These are decided with your veterinarian, not copied from another barn.
- Equine influenza and rhinopneumonitis (EHV-1 and EHV-4): common for horses that travel, show or live in busy boarding barns.
- Strangles: where the disease has been seen or horses mix often.
- Potomac horse fever: in regions where it occurs, often near rivers and ponds.
- Botulism: in some regions and for some feeding situations.
When to plan the shots
Mosquito-borne vaccines work best when they are given before the insects arrive, so many owners book them in early spring. Influenza and rhinopneumonitis boosters are often timed around show season, since several shows ask for proof of recent vaccination.
Foals and pregnant mares follow their own schedules. The dates depend on the mare’s vaccine history and the foaling date, so ask your veterinarian for a plan before the season starts.
How to keep the dates straight
Write down the date, the product and the lot number of every shot, and who gave it. It answers questions after a reaction, proves vaccination at a show, and tells a new owner or barn what was done.
With one horse a card on the barn door is enough. With several horses, different boosters and a travel calendar, reminders save the date you would otherwise miss.
Frequently asked questions
What vaccines does a horse need every year?
The AAEP core vaccines: tetanus, EEE/WEE, West Nile virus and rabies. Risk-based vaccines such as influenza and rhinopneumonitis are added depending on travel and exposure.
How often do horses need a tetanus shot?
Once a year, plus an extra dose at the time of a wound or surgery if the last booster was more than six months earlier.
When is the best time to vaccinate against West Nile and EEE?
Before mosquito season, usually in spring. Where mosquitoes are active most of the year, your veterinarian may advise a second dose six months later.
Can I give horse vaccines myself?
Some vaccines are sold to owners, but rabies is usually given by a veterinarian, and a vet can manage reactions and keep official records. Ask yours before you start.
Is Trotley available?
Trotley is in development for iPhone.
Our pick
Trotley, the stable ledger for your horses
Trotley keeps every vaccination, vet visit, farrier and dental date for each horse, and reminds you before the next one is due, even for a small stable.
- Vaccination, dental, farrier and medication records
- One calendar for every horse, with reminders
- PDF reports for your vet or a new owner
