What does an average horse in the Raleigh area need on a yearly basis?
(For Adult Horses)
Bi-Annual Vaccinations:
- Mosquito borne diseases:
Eastern Equine Encephalitis, Western Equine Encephalitis, West Nile Virus (EEE/WEE/WNV) twice yearly because of long vector season - Tetanus and Rabies once yearly
- Respiratory disease: Influenza & Rhinopneumonitis (Flu/Rhino) twice yearly
Risk based vaccines:
Strangles – recommended in show horses, and horses <10 years of age
Botulism – recommended in horses fed round bales
Dental care:
Teeth checked bi-annually, most horses need dental floating yearly. Some need it more frequently depending on their individual needs.
Coggins Test:
A Coggins test is used to test for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA). A negative Coggins test is necessary for travel between states, required by most horse shows, and necessary to obtain a health certificate.
Fecal Egg Count:
Once or twice yearly depending on your Veterinarian’s recommendation. Depending on the results of the fecal test, your 3H Vet will make worming recommendations.
Horse Council Encouraging EEE, WNV Vaccinations
With warmer months come mosquitoes and other factors that can spread viral diseases which seriously affect horses. Encephalitis diseases, such as Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile Virus (WNV) are spread by mosquitoes and are often experienced during the summer months. Vaccinating ensures that horses have strengthened immune system when the virus starts circulating in the mosquito population.
Click here to read more information by the National Institute for Animal Agriculture.
A Progressive Feeding Program
As horse owners, we all want the best nutrition for our horses. Supplying a nutritionally balanced diet helps achieve optimal growth, timely breeding, improved performance as well as saving money over time. Accomplishing this dietary balance requires evaluating several factors including forage, horse type, and horse owner management. A feed companies primary goal is to meet the needs of your horse so you can achieve the results you desire.
The foundation of a balanced diet is forage. Horses are continuous grazing animals, consuming several small meals over 18 hours per day. Therefore, offering as much hay or forage as possible, whether in a pasture, paddock or stall, will help maintain digestive tract function and overall well-being.
Nutrition Consulting:
Many problems can be avoided by keeping your horse at an appropriate body weight. Your Veterinarian can help determine if your horses are too thin, too heavy, or may have an underlying metabolic condition.
