Here are some more equine basic health facts.
ALWAYS call your vet if you have questions or concerns about your horse.
Suggested Vaccinations For Horses
Disease | Type Vaccine | Administration | Earliest Age Of Initial vaccine | 2nd Vaccine Interval | Revaccination Interval |
Tetanus | killed bacterin toxoid | intramuscular | 3 months | 1 to 2 months later | yearly |
Encephalomyelitis | killed virus | intramuscular | 3 months | 1 to 2 months later | yearly, before insect season |
Equine | killed virus | intramuscular | 3 months | 1 to 2 moths later | every 3 months during epidemic/before shipping |
Rhinopneumonitis* | killed virus | intramuscular | 3 months | 1 to 2 months later | every 3 months during epidemic/before shipping |
Strangles | killed bacterin | intramuscular | 3 months | 1 month later | every 3 months during epidemic/before shipping |
Rabies | killed virus | intramuscular | 3 months | 1 time per year | yearly |
Potomac Horse Fever | killed bacterin | intramuscular | 3 months | 3 weeks later | yearly |
Horse Temperature
A horse's normal rectal body temperature is approximately 100.5 degrees.
Temperatures of 102 degrees or more generally indicate an infection, which needs attention.
The normal breathing rate for a horse at rest is 12-15 breaths per minute. Breathing rate can be determined by watching the nostrils or flank. Rapid, shallow breathing at rest often means a horse needs medical attention.
The normal resting heart rate for a horse is 35-40 beats per minute. The rate will increase when a horse is excited or exercising. A resting heart or pulse rate of 50 or higher means the horse is in physical distress. The heart rate can be determined by monitoring it at the artery that crosses under the jaw, or by feeling the heart beat. To feel the beat put your hand under the horse's left elbow.
Equine Disease Symptoms
Disease | General Signs | Spread |
Tetanus | Difficulty eating or walking, overreaction to noise, stiffness, elevation of the 3rd eyelid. | Not contagious; caused by punctures and wound infection. |
Encephalomyelitis | Often fatal; fever, staggering, circling, head pressing, depression and sleepiness. | Not contagious, but spread by mosquitoes. |
Equine Influenza | Rarely fatal; cough, loss of appetite, fever, depression, muscle soreness, discharge from the eyes & nose. | Very contagious; keep affected animals isolated. |
Rhinopneumonitis | Respiratory distress; nasal discharge, cough, fever; causes abortion in pregnant mares. | Very contagious; keep affected animals isolated. |
Strangles | Fever, swollen jaw glands, loss of appetite, cough, nasal discharge, can cause abortion in pregnant mares. | Very contagious; keep affected animals isolated. |
Potomac Horse Fever | Lethargy, anorexia, fever, colic, laminitis, colitis, and diarrhea. | Spread during insect season, vector unknown. |