Fall Horse Care

1. GET READY...
Columbia Equine Hospital - November 2011
Cold weather
brings increased
likelihood of
respiratory diseases
FALL VACCINATION RECOMMENDATIONS:
Fall is the time of year when we bundle up our horses and shut up the barns to keep out the cold. Unfortunately,
poor indoor air quality stresses the respiratory system making infectious diseases more likely to occur.
While a “standard” vaccination program for
all horses does not exist, core vaccine CEH’s Core Vaccine Recommendations
guidelines should be followed to ensure your Spring
horse is kept as healthy as possible. Additional • Tetanus
vaccinations may be recommended based on • Eastern Encephalitis
your horse’s anticipated exposure, age, breed, • Western Encephalitis
use and gender. • Influenza
Due to the increasing rabid bat and fox • Rhinopheumonitis
populations in the Pacific Northwest, CEH and • West Nile
the American Association of Equine Fall
Practitioners has added Rabies to the core • Influenza
vaccine list. Fortunately Rabies is not common • Rhinopheumonitis
in the horse but is is fatal and zoonotic (humans • Rabies
can get it) . As horse owners and veterinarians
Influenza and Rhinopneumonitis -
are constantly sticking out hands into horse
Boostering the Rhino/Flu vaccine
mouth, why risk contracting a fatal disease? Please call to discuss which vaccinations in the Fall is necessary to
Rabies vaccination is inexpensive and does not are appropriate for your horse(s). ensure adequate antibodies to
require initial boosters to be effective. both viruses are circulating.
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2. Things you need to consider before winter...
In addition to boostering any Your horse’s weight can be
IS YOUR HORSE TOO
necessary vaccinations, you
should check you horse’s Body
calculated once you have
measured his girth and length with
THIN FOR WINTER?
Condition Score and weight prior a weight tape. The following
to the start of cold weather. The formula will give you an accurate
veterinarians at CEH will help you estimate of your horse’s weight.
determine if your horse is at his
ideal weight. If your horse is too [Heart Girth2 x Length] / 330 =
thin going into winter, his condition Weight
will continue to decline as he
consumes extra calories trying to Units are in inches and pounds.
stay warm.
Keeping tract of your horse’s If your horse is at his ideal
weight once you know his body weight or less, it is good idea to
condition will help you stay on top have your veterinarian check your
of changes that may indicate horse’s teeth. Correcting dental
disease or dysfunction. Weight is disease before winter will ensure
also important in order to he is able to adequately digest hay
accurately dose dewormer and and grain to maintain his condition
other medications. and stay warm.
Viral infection
allows secondary
bacterial infection
Pre-Winter Checklist:
• Vaccinations
• Body Condition
Evaluation
• Dental
columbiaequinestaff@gmail.com
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