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Worming
& Vaccinations
The Importance of a Sound
Vaccination Program
Vaccination is a term with which every horse owner is
familiar. Moreover, many do not realize the importance
of a well-planned vaccination program for horses. A
vaccination program, designed by a veterinarian, will
help ensure the horses in a stable stay healthy and
productive. An effective and successful vaccination
program against infectious diseases is an essential
component and key management tool for any horse
operation wishing to institute a preventative medicine
program. Horses, just like people, are constantly
exposed to bacterial and viral organisms. Many of these
can cause mild to debilitating diseases. This risk is
especially significant when horses are shipped to
tracks, farms, or other stables. The more a horse is
away from his home environment and mingled with other
horses, the greater the chance of exposure to potential
carriers of infectious diseases. This is particularly
true of respiratory diseases. Infectious disease
control programs, in conjunction with vaccination, are
important in maximizing the health, productivity, and
performance of a horse. A veterinarian can help design
a health program to reduce exposure to infectious
disease agents in a horse’s environment to lessen the
incidence of illness. Disease control programs should
be tailored to individual needs, with consideration
given to ages, types, activities, and number of horses
in the program. The schedule below is a suggested
vaccination schedule provided by the American
Association of Equine Practitioners, and is based on
generally accepted veterinary practices.
Recommended Equine
Vaccination Schedule
~ PLEASE NOTE ~ YES
Miniature Horse require the same dose as big
horses.
Additionally do NOT give Miniature Horses the "Combo"
shots (shots that include West Nile) it is too
much for their systems, some companies in the fine print
warn against it's use on ponies. DO NOT give West
Nile to Miniatures in their first trimester of
pregnancy.
On
Miniature Horses if you need to give, as an example,
EE/T and WN (Double or Triple Encephalomylitis, Tetanus
and West Nile) Give your EE/T in one side of the neck or
buttocks one week, then give the West Nile seperately A
WEEK LATER in the other side. OR if you use EE/F/T Give
it in 2 shots, EE/F then a couple days later give the T.
I purchase
my vaccines separate in the 10 dose vials.
Click
here for a guide on how to give Intramuscular
Injections.
 Note: This information was
provided by UC Davis and is current as of 2006. It should be used as a basis in
discussing specific needs with a veterinarian. His or
her recommendations will be based on a variety of
factors, including age, sex, type of horse, and
geographic location. He or she will have insight into
the diseases endemic to a region and the likelihood of
disease outbreaks at specific times of year.
Please pay
special attention to the safety indications regarding
vaccinations for pregnant mares.
- Our worming program we use has worked for 8
years so far (2006) for our minis. We worm every day using Strongid 2CX weeks. We rotate 3 different wormers
throughout the year. In the fall and winter we use
Ivermectin for Bots. We use a wormer
that eradicates tape worm in the spring. We use
a mild dewormer every 30 days for foals. Worming is
done by the weight of the horse so pick up a pony
weight tape, measure around the mini just behind the
front legs and it will give you an idea of the weight of your
animal. Be sure not to overdose. And make sure the
ring on the wormer does not slip.
Worming Pregnant Mares
- There are a lot of
dewormers out there that you can use on pregnant
mares. Right now I'm using Strongid-C which is a
daily wormer which is safe for pregnant mares.
Strongid is safe and I know Ivermectin is also safe.
But before you purchase a wormer for your mare, just
check over the label quick and see if it's safe for
pregnant and/or lactating mares. NEVER use Quest on
a Miniature Horse, there is no room for error.
- After the foal is up, dry and has had it's
colostrum I then give the mare a warm bran mash.
- I myself never deworm a mare in the last
trimester of pregnancy. I worm with tube Ivermectin
on the day her foal is born, immediately after her
first stool.
Shots (reactions)
- The only time I give
shots in the neck is when I have used up the hind
end. There is so much nice deep muscle in the rump,
that is the ideal spot on a mini. It can be
dangerous on a big one, but I used to give the shots
in the butt of the big ones too. I sure wouldn't
want a shot in the neck! I try to give two shots at
a time. And I ALWAYS watch for reactions. I give the
shots on a day when I will be home, give it early in
the day so I can watch and if I have to call the vet
it isn't overtime!
- I always have a drawn up and ready dose of epi
with me when I'm giving innoculations.
- I've given my own vaccines since we've had
horses, & the only problem was a swollen spot on the
neck and the mare did not want to lower her hear it
was obvious for days she was stiff, my vet said it
was caused by failing to get the injection firmly in
muscle where it could be absorbed. with the smaller
muscle mass on the minis, he recommends the butt
site. Most years I've bought the vaccines from Jeffers, the EWT &
the Rhino-flu in separate injections. We have a law
in Ga. mandating that all horses in the state must
have a coggins test for EIA at least once a year,
the vet
cames out to do those and rabies.
- Rhino shots are known to
produce this swelling sometimes especially when
given in the neck. Any vaccine marked Intramuscular
Injection is best given in the large muscles of the
rear end along the back of the leg. Do not give them
in the top of the hip/croup, or the "side" of the
hip as the sciatic nerve runs between the gluteal
muscles in that area. Your vet can show you the safe
places to give injections, and you will save alot of
money!
- -- If you stay in horses very long
there will probably come a time a horse needs shots
daily and then you can do it without having the vet
out daily! --- If the amount of a med to be given is
more than 2cc I also divide the dose so there isn't
such a large amount that must be absorbed from one
site. ALWAYS wet the intended injection site with
alcohol to avoid introducing bacteria into the site
as the needle penetrates the skin, this one simple,
and often not done, act can prevent many abcesses
and infections!
- --- I order my vaccines through
Jeffers Vet Supply and have always been
satisfied with the service and prices. You can
request a catalog at 1-800-533-3377--- Cost is a
bit cheaper than buying the vaccines separate
like I used to. I get it by the 10 dose vials
which, saves a little more.
From Lil
Beginnings mini info. pages.
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