Horse Vaccinations: What to Discuss With Your Vet

Which diseases UK horses are commonly vaccinated against, and the questions worth asking your vet before the next appointment.

Quick Answer

UK sources recommend equine influenza and tetanus vaccination as a minimum, while vaccines such as EHV and strangles depend on your horse's risk.
Horses need an initial course followed by boosters, and your vet sets the timings for the vaccine used.
Flu vaccination reduces how severe the illness is and how far it spreads, but vaccines do not always prevent infection.
Competition bodies and venues set their own vaccination rules, and these change, so check the current rules for your sport and venue.
Call your vet straight away for tetanus signs, or for a wound if tetanus cover is unknown or out of date.

Horse vaccinations are an essential part of routine care. The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) says vaccinating horses, ponies and donkeys helps prevent some potentially life-threatening diseases.

Schedules differ between vaccines, horses and sports, and the rules change. So this guide does not give a timetable. Instead, it explains what horses are commonly vaccinated against and what to discuss with your vet.

Woman adjusting a white horse's headcollar in a farm yard – horse vaccinations are worth planning with your vet

Which diseases are horse vaccinations used for?

A UK vaccine summary from Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance lists vaccines for EHV, equine influenza, tetanus, strangles, equine viral arteritis, rotavirus and West Nile virus. Your vet will explain which apply to your horse.

Tetanus

Tetanus is caused by a bacterium found in soil. It is not contagious. It usually enters through wounds, such as foot abscesses or deep puncture wounds, and newborn foals can be exposed through the navel.

The British Horse Society (BHS) says around 73% of horses do not survive once signs appear, citing a 2018 paper. It describes vaccination as by far the easiest and most effective protection.

Equine influenza

Flu is a highly contagious viral respiratory disease that is present in the UK. RVC recommends vaccinating almost all horses, especially young and old horses and those that leave their yard and mix with others.

The BHS estimates that only 40% of the UK equine population is vaccinated against flu. RVC says flu outbreaks generally occur in unvaccinated horses, or in horses whose vaccination is incomplete or has lapsed. See Equine Influenza (Horse Flu).

Equine herpesvirus (EHV)

The BHS says EHV vaccination can help prevent respiratory disease and abortion caused by EHV-1 and EHV-4, and is especially recommended for horses under five. The virus can also cause neurological signs. See Equine Herpesvirus (EHV).

Close-up of a syringe held against a chestnut horse's neck – horse vaccinations are given and recorded by your vet

Strangles

A strangles vaccine is available. RVC says it reduces the severity of signs but does not always prevent the disease, so it should not replace good biosecurity.

RVC also says current studies show immunity after the initial course is short-lived, so ask your vet about the best time to vaccinate. Its safety has not been tested in pregnant mares, so it is not currently recommended for them. See Strangles in Horses.

Less common vaccines

RVC says a West Nile virus vaccine is available. The virus has been detected in mosquitoes in the UK, and the vaccine was previously recommended mainly for horses travelling internationally.

In the UK, the equine viral arteritis vaccine is only for stallions and teasers, after a negative blood test. A rotavirus vaccine is for pregnant mares, to pass antibodies to foals.

What horse vaccinations do, and what they do not

Vaccines expose the horse to an inactive part of the organism. The body then makes antibodies, which act as an early defence.

In its equine flu guidance, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) says that, while infection cannot always be prevented, vaccination reduces severity, helps horses recover faster and means less virus is spread. A 2026 BHA update noted some cases in vaccinated horses nearing their next booster, when immunity is lower.

So vaccination is not the whole picture. It should go alongside good hygiene and biosecurity.

What to discuss with your vet

Bring this list to your next appointment. Your vet knows your horse and your area, so they can set the plan.

Your horse's risk: age, whether it travels, mixes with others or lives on a busy yard.
Which vaccines beyond flu and tetanus suit your horse, such as EHV or strangles.
Which vaccine product is used, and when each dose and booster is due.
Any competition or venue rules that affect timing.
Whether your horse seems unwell, as a horse that is lethargic or off its food may be incubating a disease.
What to expect after vaccination, including any lumps or reactions.

Foals, mares and new arrivals

Published guidance on when a foal should start its vaccination course differs, so your vet decides when. Mares that are already vaccinated may need a tetanus booster before foaling to help protect the foal. Your vet will advise on timing.

The BHS recommends that all new horses are up to date with flu and tetanus vaccines. It advises a minimum quarantine of 21 days and vet advice for unvaccinated horses or those with lapsed cover.

Late boosters

Do not let a booster lapse. For flu, the BHS warns that being even a day late can mean the initial programme has to be restarted. RVC says it would usually recommend restarting an overdue vaccine course.

Passports, competition and venue rules

Every vaccine given by a vet must be recorded in the horse's passport, whether or not the horse is intended for human consumption. Have the passport ready when your vet visits, so the injection is recorded correctly.

Carrying the passport is a legal requirement when transporting a horse, and shows or events may check vaccinations.

Governing bodies set their own flu vaccination rules, and they differ between organisations. The BHS says it is the owner's responsibility to check the relevant rules. Many organisations changed their flu rules in January 2024, which shows how they can shift.

If your horse does not meet an event's requirements, you are unlikely to be allowed to attend. Some rules also stop horses competing for a set time after a vaccination. If you hire equestrian facilities, check the venue's vaccination rules too.

Before you book a vaccination, check the current rules of your governing body and venue, and ask your vet to help you plan around them.

Emergency: Contact a Vet Immediately If…

Your horse is jumpy or sensitive to touch, has muscle spasms, a stiff tail or a stiff jaw, or the third eyelid keeps flicking over the eye. These can be tetanus signs.
Your horse has a wound and its tetanus cover is unknown or not up to date. Do not remove a nail or other sharp object.

Call your vet or the nearest out-of-hours emergency vet straight away. Early treatment gives the best chance of recovery.

When to Contact Your Vet

You are unsure whether your horse's vaccinations are up to date, or a booster is overdue.
Your horse seems unwell before a vaccination is due.
Your horse has a fever, nasal discharge or a cough. Isolate it and call your vet, as these can be signs of flu or strangles.
You are buying or taking in a horse with no vaccination record.

If a wound happens and cover is out of date, the vet may recommend an anti-toxin injection. This gives short-term protection, and the vaccine course can be started at the same time.

How Pet Med Direct Can Help

Vaccinations are given by your vet and recorded in your horse's passport, so please speak to your vet first. Pet Med Direct does not replace that visit.

You can browse our equine range for other horse care products. If your vet prescribes a medicine, prescription-only medicines (POM-V) are supplied solely against a valid prescription from the horse's own vet. You can read how pet prescriptions work.

Some pet medicines require a valid veterinary prescription. Pet Med Direct can only supply prescription medicines after the prescription has been checked. Always follow your vet's advice and the directions on the medicine label.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do ponies and donkeys need vaccinations too?

RVC's vaccination guidance covers horses, ponies and donkeys. Ask your vet which vaccines suit your animal's age, use and risk.

Is tetanus contagious between horses?

No. Tetanus is not contagious. It comes from bacteria found in soil that usually enter through wounds, so vaccination is the main protection.

Can a vaccinated horse still get ill?

Yes, it can. For flu, the BHA says vaccination reduces severity, speeds recovery and limits how much virus spreads, but infection cannot always be prevented. RVC says the same of the strangles vaccine. Keep up good hygiene as well.

What happens if horse vaccinations lapse?

The BHS warns that a late flu booster can mean restarting the initial programme. RVC would usually recommend restarting an overdue vaccine course. Speak to your vet as soon as you notice.

Why do vaccination rules differ between organisations?

Different governing bodies set their own rules, and they change. The BHS says owners must check the relevant rules themselves. Your vet can help you plan around them.

Why does my vet need the passport?

Vaccines given by a vet must be recorded in the passport. Events and yards may check it, and the BHS says carrying it is a legal requirement when transporting a horse.

Should I vaccinate a horse that seems unwell?

Speak to your vet first. The BHS says an unwell horse may be incubating a disease, and vaccinating then could cause a negative reaction.

Related Equine Health Guides

Sources and Further Reading

This article was researched from the sources listed above. It is general information for horse owners and is not a substitute for advice from your own vet.

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This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute veterinary advice.
If you are concerned about your horse’s health, please consult a qualified veterinarian.