Now is The Time to Show Your Horse Some Love

With spring finally here, now is the time to consider the best preparations you can take to help ensure health and high-quality performance for your horse. One key preventive health measure that is often overlooked is the need of every horse to be protected against the core equine diseases every spring. After all, every horse faces grave core disease dangers. The five core equine diseases consist of West Nile, Eastern and Western Equine encephalomyelitis, tetanus and rabies.

“It has been shown that six out of seven horses are not protected against all core diseases,” said Jaci Boggs, DVM, senior technical services veterinarian with Zoetis. “And spring is fast approaching, when exposure to disease carriers like mosquitoes, wildlife and soil bacteria will be unavoidable.”

Annual spring vaccination serves as a foundation of equine wellness. Vaccinating your horse every spring helps provide him with the protection he needs before the most threatening carriers of core diseases reach peak activity.

“All of the core diseases pose a real threat to the life and wellbeing of an exposed horse, and with rabies, family members, friends and any other persons exposed are also at risk of contracting rabies disease, which is always fatal once clinical signs appear,” said Dr. Boggs. “A horse’s owner can help defend against these devastating diseases through annual spring core disease vaccination.”

Help ensure your horse’s health through spring vaccinations. Additionally, be prepared for your horse's every seasonal health and wellness need with this helpful 12-month calendar.

About the author: This content was originally provided by Zoetis, with minor additions included from Valley Vet Supply.