Abortion-EHV
EHV Vaccines for Horses & Pregnant Mares
Equine herpesvirus is on every broodmare owner's mind. EHV-1 can cause respiratory illness, abortion in pregnant mares, and in some cases neurologic disease, and it moves easily between horses that share a barn. Valley Vet Supply has stocked equine vaccines since our veterinarian founders opened in Marysville, Kansas, in 1985. This collection brings together the EHV vaccine for horses options most often used to help protect pregnant mares and horses that travel, along with the label schedules you'll need to plan the year.
Understanding EHV-1 and EHV-4
Both viruses spread through nasal discharge, nose-to-nose contact, and shared buckets, tack, or hands. EHV-4 mostly causes respiratory disease. EHV-1 is the bigger worry on breeding farms because it can lead to late-term abortion, which is why pregnant mares get their own schedule. EHV-1 can also cause a neurologic form of disease, and none of the vaccines in this collection carry a label claim against it.
EHV Vaccine Options and Scheduling
Pneumabort-K + 1b (EHV-1) Equine Vaccine is a killed virus rhinopneumonitis vaccine from Zoetis containing two EHV-1 strains, 1p and 1b. It's labeled to aid in preventing both respiratory disease and EHV-1 abortion, and comes as a 1 dose syringe or 10 dose. Prestige Prodigy (EHV-1) Equine Vaccine from Merck is another killed option, labeled for abortion and respiratory disease in healthy horses 6 months and older. For horses on the move, Rhinomune (EHV-1) Equine Vaccine is an attenuated live vaccine for healthy horses 3 months and older, labeled against EHV-1 respiratory disease.
Mare Vaccination Timing During Gestation
Both killed vaccines carry the same pregnancy schedule: three intramuscular doses, in the 5th, 7th, and 9th months. The Prestige Prodigy label also recommends vaccinating maiden and barren mares that share housing or pasture with pregnant mares on the same schedule. Mark the due dates on your breeding calendar so no dose slips past.
Boosters for Barns with Frequent Travel
Rhinomune's label calls for two initial doses 3 to 4 weeks apart. Show and performance horses that travel often and mix with outside horses have traditionally been boosted every 3 months, but the label notes that the need for boosters hasn't been established, so set the interval with your vet. Rhinomune can be given to pregnant mares after the second month of pregnancy, though it isn't labeled to prevent abortion. Stock Horse Needles & Syringes and pair EHV protection with Horse Respiratory vaccines.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should pregnant mares be vaccinated for EHV?
The killed vaccines here, Pneumabort-K + 1b and Prestige Prodigy, are labeled for the 5th, 7th, and 9th months of gestation. Your vet may adjust that schedule based on your farm's history and how often horses come and go. Rhinomune isn't a substitute for these killed vaccines in a pregnant mare, because its label covers respiratory disease only.
Does the EHV vaccine fully prevent infection?
No. These products are labeled to aid in prevention, which lowers risk without guaranteeing a horse won't get sick. Pair vaccination with basic biosecurity, like isolating new arrivals and not sharing water buckets. Taking a rectal temperature on horses returning from shows can also catch a fever before it spreads through the barn.
Can I give horse vaccines myself?
Many horse owners do. Pneumabort-K + 1b goes deep into the heavy muscles of the hindquarter, and your vet can walk you through proper technique and help set a schedule. Keep vaccines refrigerated until use and shake them well before drawing up a dose, as the labels direct. Valley Vet ships vaccines Monday through Thursday by overnight delivery, packed with ice packs to keep them cold in transit.
