Vaccinations for horses serve as preventive healthcare and protect against possible diseases and their spread. Depending on what you want to do with your horse, different vaccinations are recommended and even mandatory for competition horses. All vaccinations are correctly documented by your veterinarian in the equine passport.
The immune system is a defense mechanism that our horses have just like us humans. It attacks and eliminates pathogens with the help of defense cells. This is a two-pronged approach. On the one hand, there is the innate (non-specific) immune system, which serves as the first line of defense against pathogens, and on the other hand, there is the acquired (specific) immune system. The specific immune system uses memory cells to recognize pathogens that have been encountered before, react to them, and thus prevent the onset of disease. This is precisely the principle that is exploited in vaccination.
The vaccine introduces weakened pathogens, dead pathogens, or even just individual fragments of the pathogen (=antigens) of a specific disease into your horse. The immune system reacts to these antigens by producing antibodies and also develops protection that lasts for varying lengths of time, known as "artificial" immunity. If a virus spreads in a stable, the vaccinated horse's preprogrammed immune system can react quickly. It fights off the pathogens it already knows, preventing the disease from breaking out or at least ensuring that it takes a milder course.
As a general rule, a horse must be healthy when it receives a vaccination. If the immune system is already severely weakened or fighting an infection, it should not be burdened with a vaccination. Therefore, every vaccination must be preceded by a general examination by a veterinarian.
If possible, no other medications should be administered at the same time as the vaccination. This is particularly important with regard to deworming (see relevant article). Deworming should be carried out approximately 14 days before your horse is vaccinated. Long-term medication, such as that given to Cushing's patients, should of course be continued, as the organism is accustomed to this preparation and needs it on a permanent basis.
To ensure that the memory cells can do their job properly and the immune system responds accordingly, the horse is first given a basic immunization. This is necessary for reliable vaccine protection. This is followed by regular booster vaccinations as a reminder.
The basic immunization consists of two vaccine doses given four to six weeks apart. A third vaccination after six to seven months (influenza and herpes) or twelve to 14 months (tetanus) completes the basic immunization. The exact vaccination intervals are specified by the vaccine manufacturers. All further vaccinations are referred to as booster vaccinations. The interval between regular booster vaccinations varies depending on the type of vaccine and the use of the horse, ranging from six months (herpes and influenza for competition horses) to two to three years (tetanus).
The Standing Committee on Vaccination in Veterinary Medicine (StIKo Vet), a panel of experts, regularly publishes new guidelines on horse vaccination in Germany. These guidelines are not legally binding, but serve as a decision-making aid for veterinary practices.
According to the latest scientific findings, vaccinations against the following infectious diseases are recommended for all horses at all times:
Important for competition horses: The FN (German Equestrian Federation) and FEI (International Equestrian Federation) require a semi-annual influenza vaccination. In order to compete in FEI competitions, all influenza vaccinations must be carried out by veterinarians registered with the FEI and entered into the FEI HorseApp since February 3, 2025.
In addition to the vaccinations mentioned above, you can have your horse vaccinated against strangles, rabies, skin fungus, or the West Nile virus (see corresponding articles). However, horses only need to be protected against these diseases under certain conditions. Your veterinarian can advise you on the possible need for additional vaccinations.
In recent years, for example, West Nile infections have become increasingly common in parts of Germany. StIKo Vet therefore recommends vaccinating horses in these areas against the West Nile virus. The basic immunization and subsequent annual booster vaccination should be carried out before the start of the mosquito season.
Special attention should be paid to the first vaccination of foals. The immune cells of the vaccinated mare are passed on to the foal via the milk. A vaccination of the foal is only effective once the level of maternal immune cells in the foal's blood has dropped again. The first vaccination should therefore not be given before the foal is five months old.
Your vet can send you a personalized vaccination schedule for your horse via petsXL. You will then automatically receive notifications when it is time to make another appointment.
Since a vaccination is a medicine, undesirable side effects are possible. However, today's vaccines are so well developed and tested that the number of side effects in the vast majority of vaccinated horses is negligible.
Fatigue and exhaustion after vaccination are not uncommon. After all, our horse's immune system has to work at full capacity. A slight increase in body temperature may also occur.
Possible local changes include swelling and muscle hardening at the injection site. In rare cases, this swelling can become inflamed and lead to abscess formation. In such serious cases, please always contact your veterinarian.
After your horse has been vaccinated, you should rest it for one to three days. As its immune system is now busy, you should keep your horse as stress-free as possible. Light riding at a walk, grazing, a walk—your horse can be exercised in a way that is appropriate for the external conditions.
Corneal ulcer, also known as corneal ulceration, is one of the most common eye diseases in horses. It is not a growth, but rather a tissue defect that does not heal chronically and can vary in severity. The treatment of a corneal ulcer can be very frustrating, and untreated or incorrectly treated corneal ulcers can lead to serious visual impairment or even loss of the eye.
Summer eczema is a recurring allergic skin disease in horses that manifests itself in severe itching and hairless, open patches of skin. The disease can occur in horses of all breeds, although Icelandic horses, Norwegian horses, Shetland ponies, and Haflingers are significantly more commonly affected, while warmbloods tend to be affected less frequently.
Bitless riding simply means riding without a bit in the horse's mouth. There are many different reasons and just as many ways to ride a horse without a bit. Of course, there are always disadvantages as well as advantages. Think about which bitless bridle suits you, your horse, and your riding style in advance. And finally, practice makes perfect.
Sebadenitis is a progressive inflammatory change in the sebaceous glands of the skin in dogs and cats, which ultimately leads to their irreversible destruction. The disease was first described in dogs in 1986.
The most common types of horse husbandry are classic stabling, free-range stabling (active stables), paddock trails, seasonal grazing, and open stabling. One thing should be clear to every horse owner. Horses want to run. In the steppe, they sometimes spend up to 16 hours a day searching for food and water. They graze as they roam across the land. Now, our horses have been bred and domesticated for our time together with them; they are no longer steppe ponies. We feed them and care for them. Nevertheless, horses need exercise. We should definitely keep this in mind when choosing how to keep our horses. This also means that keeping horses exclusively in stalls without a sufficiently large paddock for free movement is not species-appropriate. In addition, contact with other horses must always be ensured, as horses are herd animals.
Twice a year, our horses have a strenuous job to do: when they shed their coats, they need to perform at their best because their metabolism is working overtime. Some older or sick horses struggle with this. As a horse owner, you can help your horse get through the coat change more relaxed.
What do these five letters stand for? This abbreviation comes from English and literally means "feline lower urinary tract disease." It describes all diseases of the urinary tract in cats that cause difficulty and pain when urinating. As a rule, almost exclusively indoor cats are affected; outdoor cats almost never develop this condition. Male cats are also more susceptible than female cats.
Heart disease is also relatively common in our four-legged friends, affecting almost one in ten dogs. Heart failure occurs when the heart can no longer pump enough blood into the circulatory system, meaning that the body is no longer supplied with sufficient oxygen.
Urolithiasis, colloquially referred to as urinary stone disease, refers to the formation and deposition of various concretions in the urinary tract of horses. Although this disease occurs sporadically in horses, it can lead to serious symptoms and significant impairments. The deposits can occur in the form of crystals, grit, sand, or stones and are most commonly found (approx. 60%) in the urinary bladder. Geldings are more severely affected than stallions or mares.
It's really special when your own dog has puppies – and for us as dog owners, it's probably just as exciting as it is for the animal itself. It's important that you, as the companion of the expectant dog mom, always remain calm – and have the emergency number of your vet handy.
There are many reasons why a mare that has previously been a riding horse might be turned into a broodmare. There are a few factors to consider on the way to your first foal.
The dog, which is descended from the wolf, has teeth that are designed for hunting, killing, and tearing food apart. However, the search for food has changed for our four-legged friends: today, we open a can or even cook for our beloved furry friends. Breeding different breeds has also changed the length of dogs' noses and the spacing between their teeth. Unfortunately, all of this can lead to dental problems.
