While it is now cold and blustery outside, and bundling up to go to the barn seems more like a chore than a hobby, warm spring weather is just around the corner.  Lessons will soon be back in full swing, and it will be time to get the horses in top shape and show ready, or ready to hit the trail.  While proper conditioning is important to your horse’s health and wellbeing, vaccinations are also a vital tool in maintaining your horse’s health.

While the warm weather brings many opportunities to enjoy your horses, it also brings with it potential health risks for your horses.  Shows and trail rides will offer the opportunity for co-mingling with horses not normally at your barn, as well as expose your horse to new environments.   The warm weather will also bring insects that can pose as vectors for disease.

To help protect your horse from disease Franklin Equine Services recommends several important vaccinations.  The vaccines recommended are designed to protect your horse from diseases which are endemic to the area, are highly infectious, and can have devastating, if not deadly effects on your horse.  These vaccines have been proven to be very effective and have a very low risk of side effects.  Tetanus, Eastern/Western Encephalomyelitis, West Nile Virus, Rabies, and Strangles are the recommended vaccines.  Tetanus is a disease caused by a soil borne bacteria that is present in almost all types of soil.  Eastern/Western Encephalomyelitis and West Nile Virus are all diseases that are carried by mosquitoes and are now endemic across the country.   Rabies can be carried by wild animals such as skunks, and there has recently been an increase in the number of cases seen in horses and domestic animals in this area.  Finally, Strangles is a disease caused by a bacteria that is very easily transmitted from horse to horse.

Franklin Equine Services recognizes the disastrous effects that these diseases can have on your horse.  Some of these diseases can be treated, but often times with varying effects.  Sometimes treatment does not work, and treatment can be a long, drawn-out, and expensive endeavor.  Some of these diseases can not be treated at all.  They can only be prevented.  Franklin Equine Services wants to do everything it can to prevent these diseases in your horse.  We feel that these vaccines are important and effective for your horse.  While other vaccines are available for other diseases, these vaccines are the most important vaccines in this geographic area.  However, if your horse will be traveling to other areas of the state or country, please contact Franklin Equine Services to determine what additional vaccines your horse may need for that area.  If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us at anytime.  Spring will soon be here and Franklin Equine Services wish you and your horse the best of luck, whether you are hitting the show ring, or the trail.

Happy Trails,

Tony Kimmons, DVM
Elizabeth A. Maddux, DVM