|
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 322
| I saw a post on facebook through a mutual friend asking who does/doesnt vaccinate and why. Now, I cant find it but I am really interested to see what people do. Here's my situation... We sold all our previous horses and now only have 3 geldings this year (8-10 yrs old) which have been purchased between May-Oct. I know for a fact two of the three have never been vaccinated. The third one we were told he may have been vaccinated last year, but the guy couldnt remember.
I have always vaccinated my horses, but my bf does not. He believes it weakens their immune system and in his expirience his vaccinated horses caught colds/were sick more often then his unvaccinated horses. I always vaccinated (5-way plus WNV) so never had any other comparison. We have had cases of WNV in our area so I will for sure vaccinate for WNV, but what are opinons on the others? |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 2531
  
Location: WI | Yes. I do EWT, WNV, Flu/Rhino, Rabies. |
|
| |
|
 I'm Cooler Offline
Posts: 6387
 
Location: Pacific Northwest | We've owned horses since I was 4 (I'm 27 now) and every horse we've owned (10 of them) has been regularly vaccinated and none of them were ever sick. I've never dealt with a snotty nose or a cough that was cold related. All of our horses haul regularly all over the PNW. |
|
| |
|
 Cute Little Imp
Posts: 2747
Location: N Texas | I do VEWT, rabies, and West Nile.
My sisters' horses never get vaccinated (all our horses are on the same property). There's zero difference in occurrences of sickness/colds. I just do it to be on the safe side. |
|
| |
|
I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| I do t but I am not hauling at this time. But I hope to haul some this year so I am interested in hearing what others do. |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 322
| GLP - 2016-11-23 11:57 AM
I do t but I am not hauling at this time. But I hope to haul some this year so I am interested in hearing what others do.
I wish I could find the post again... I was shocked at how many professionals (futurity girls, pros, breeders) either didn't vaccinate at all or only select a couple they feel are necessary. Then of course you had those that do all vaccines. |
|
| |
|
 I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3310
Location: Jersey Girl | Yes I do vaccinate. My horses are exposed to outside horses so I want them protected. If they were isolated in my back yard I wouldn't do as many or maybe not at all.
Rabies
Tetnus
Strangles
WNV
Rhino/flu
EW Encephalitis (sp??) |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 1611
Location: bring on the heat, NV | Well I do and I dont. I dont vaccinate the ones that have bad reactions. Im not really sold on most of the vaccines because the trouble is there are so many strains and some that have "evolved" so you can vaccinate for one or two strains but still catch the third. I think if your hauling alot its good to vaccinate... I am a believer in Tetnus pretty firmly. Rabies im not really worried about. I do vaccinate my dogs because they dig for gophers and its required by groomers. Strangles we ve never bothered with the risk for me is to great. WNV is dicey. We've had an outbreak up north but they say the vaccine doesnt really prevent it just "may" give them a better survival rate? Same with the rattesnake vaccine. I think we need to work alot more on biosecuirty. I do believe in people vaccines though. Polio and measles etc. Tetanus esp ;)
I do not believe for a second it weakens immune systems. The whole theory behind vaccinatation is to prompt a immune response to train the immune system to recognize the virus and defend against. I see no difference between those that are vaccinated versus not. |
|
| |
|
 Total Germophobe
Posts: 6437
Location: Montana | I do EWT, WNV, Flu and Rhino. But I compete on my one horse, and then the other is at the trainer's and I wanted to have her protected just in case. I feel like vaccines are cheaper than vet bills.
Personally, I don't believe in the Strangles vaccines because of its efficacy rate, plus my main mare it isn't recommended for it because of her age, and I don't want to risk my other mare getting strangles from the vaccine (which is possible). |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 507
Location: Lost in the corn of Iowa. | I vaccinate with a 6 way and strangles once a year. When I didn't used to leave the farm and mainly trail rode I didn't, but now that I'm back to showing again the horses are vaccinated. And by god let's not forget that bogus piece of paper they call a coggins test either. Can't forget that thing.  |
|
| |
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 678
Location: Canada | I vaccinate using a 6 way. It costs me $80 and gives me piece of mind. I know there are many strains of the viruses and it doesn't mean my horses are 100% protected but I'd rather spend $80 and know I did all I could to protect them then not spend the money and my horse comes down with something. If they catch something and I vaccinated then at least I tried and I won't always worry I didn't do everything I could have.
That's just my two cents. |
|
| |
|
 Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
Location: In The Snow, AZ | I don't vaccinate. Haven't for many, many years. Have never had a sick horse. Haul several times a month. But I rarely use stalls and tie to my trailer. Don't nuzzle up with others. Works for me. But I don't travel when something is going around. |
|
| |
|
  Ms. Marine
Posts: 4627
Location: Texas | I vaccinate mine with the 6 way annually. |
|
| |
|
Location: Illinois | I do! Spring and fall.
There are some people who don't that I know. But I guess it's kinda like some parents who want to give their kids the flu shot and others don't! |
|
| |
|
 Sorry I don't have any advice
Posts: 1975
Location: Sunnyland Florida |
I haul mutliple horses to barrel races and super shows nearly every weekend, in and out of state. I live in mosquito/bug-ridden Florida. I have not vaccinated a horse since 1985, and don't have plans to ever vaccinate again. I have had NO major illnesses in all of these years, just a case of Rhino, which is a bad cold/flu.
Vaccinations are overrated and really tax the horses' system.
My horses are all healthy, happy and vaccine-free!
|
|
| |
|
 Take a Picture
Posts: 12838
| I vaccinate every horse with the 5 way plus West Nile. This year every bird at my house died. I am sure it was West Nile. My next door neighbor had West Nile a couple of years ago, so it is prevalent around here. I vaccinate my broodmares for herpes also. I feel they are necessary. |
|
| |
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 808
| I used to do it every year, because I was always taught that they needed it. I started interning with a big name trainer, he said he never vaccinated unless the owner really wanted it. I did my own research and came to my own conclusion that they are garbage and have not vaccinated since 2006. The last few years I have traveled a lot all over the US between California, Texas, Colorado, and Kentucky and have not had a single issue. |
|
| |
|
 Cactus Cowgirl
Posts: 2791
Location: Montana | Yep, everyone one of them. Whether we haul them or not. The vaccinated horses could bring something back to those that aren't. Much cheaper to vaccinate than try to keep them alive after they come down with a sickness I could have prevented.
|
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 1409
Location: Oklahoma | I am starting to change my views on this! I read an article that the art or stated that we only vaccinate kids once not every year. So why vaccinate every year on horses. There is so many different views on this. Who knows what is right. I do believe drug companies really push medicines. I have had quite a bit issues so thinks by very seriously not vaccinate in spring but hard to change what I been doing since I was a kid! |
|
| |
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 702
Location: MN | I have religiously vaccinated my horses every spring for many years but this year I didn't and I have talked with many other horse owners that didn't also. I know a couple that own an outfitting business and own and haul 50+ horses and they have never vaccinated any of them. None of them have ever been ill. In MN this year, there were quite a few cases of West Nile reported. Some of the horses were vaccinated against the disease and some were not.
This is an interesting topic. I was a little worried this year since I had not vaccinated but the more people I talk to, the more I find out that very few people vaccinate. Here's an interesting arcticle on the subject: http://hl.depaoloequineconcepts.com/?q=node/6 |
|
| |
|
 Shoot Yeah
Posts: 4273
Location: Where you need a paddle... Oregon! | I don't. I have, but I don't. Even when I was hauling and competing. |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 322
| Neros Winning Chick - 2016-11-24 7:39 PM I have religiously vaccinated my horses every spring for many years but this year I didn't and I have talked with many other horse owners that didn't also. I know a couple that own an outfitting business and own and haul 50+ horses and they have never vaccinated any of them. None of them have ever been ill. In MN this year, there were quite a few cases of West Nile reported. Some of the horses were vaccinated against the disease and some were not.
This is an interesting topic. I was a little worried this year since I had not vaccinated but the more people I talk to, the more I find out that very few people vaccinate. Here's an interesting arcticle on the subject: http://hl.depaoloequineconcepts.com/?q=node/6
I have always religiously vaccinated. This is the first year I am considering not vaccinating. I really thought it was a taboo idea then I see I'm not the only who either is considering or already doesn't. |
|
| |
|
 BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25351
Location: Bastrop, Texas | Vaccinating horses does not "weaken" their immune system. Anyone who believes this nonsense simply has no idea whatsoever how the immune system works. Also, this notion that people prefer "natural" immunity through the disease process, as opposed to vaccines, likewise has no understanding of immunology. As a matter of fact, vaccines are a completely natural process. Living creatures are exposed to thousands of foreign antigens or "germs" on a daily basis. We are unaware of that fact, precisely because healthy people posses a vigorous immune system. If you want to see what life would be like without a healthy immune system, read about infectious diseases in people who are immunosuppressed, like people with leukemia, AIDS, or cancer patients on chemotherapy. They frequently become seriously ill or even die from infectious diseases that wouldn't even cause a runny nose in healthy people. Only a small percentage of viruses and bacteria cause disease that is life threatening in otherwise healthy people (or horses). We are all covered with bacteria and viruses....literally millions of them, inside and out. Most deadly bacteria and viruses do convey immunity, which is wonderful........if you, or your horse, survives. Fortunately, we (and our horses) are all equipped to call upon our immune systems to prevent deadly illness if we are smart and sensible enough to vaccinate. For those of you who repeatedly say, "I've never vaccinated and my horses have never been sick", all I can say is you are either a liar or lucky. I'm not going to sit here and recommend which vaccines are recommended and which aren't necessary, but I would recommend you talk to your vet or doctor. If they tell you vaccines aren't necessary, I will recommend you dump them and seek out someone educated and competent. This whole antivax movement is insane. |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 618
| I vaccinate, not religiously on the same day/time every year ie it lapses sometimes a couple of months. I keep tetanus shots in fridge bc horses are suicidal. I think the biggest threat to our horses getting ill are us! The constant "sanitizing" of buckets, barns, trailers and trying to keep their areas clean is far more damaging to them than the exposure of dirt and germs. WE are inhibiting their natural ability to build immunity by removing bacteriaa nd germs from natural environment, even the good ones! I just use a common sense approach. When I haul, no bucket sharing with other horses besides mine, I don't stall, I park by myself(mostly bc my horse sets back and is more peaceful away from others). I try not to get packed in "holding areas" etc. I've only had one sick horse in 25 yrs |
|
| |
|
 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | I never used to until I moved to AZ and started boarding. I don't do the 5/6 way, I vaccinate based on what my horse needs per the vet. I can't quite remember what we vaccinated for without grabbing the invoice.
|
|
| |
|
 Brains Behind the Operation...
Posts: 4543
Location: Arizona | I don't haul much, but I do try to vaccinate with a 5-way once a year. Occassionally I slack. I have had one case of rhino 16-17 years ago, and what I think may have been a case of Potomac fever 2 years ago (it was touch and go for a couple days with that one but she pulled through). I work in the office of an equine hospital, and we did have someone hauling 5 horses back from AQHA Congress last month with sick horses. They overnighted at a local boarding stable, and during the night one horse developed a 105* fever and cold symptoms. That horse stayed at the clinic, but the hauler chose to keep traveling (against our recommendations) with the others. We took nasal swabs from all the horses before she left, and all but one ended up testing positive for influenza. The other positive horses were all symptomatic by the time they arrived home in Washington. The one unvaccinated horse at the local boarding stable (new boarder) that was the stopover also got sick a few days later. |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 1482
Location: on my horse | Per my vet I vaccinate everyone for everything possible and spread them out over the course of several weeks. |
|
| |
|
Take a Picture
Posts: 12838
| Bear - 2016-11-24 10:07 PM
Vaccinating horses does not "weaken" their immune system. Anyone who believes this nonsense simply has no idea whatsoever how the immune system works. Also, this notion that people prefer "natural" immunity through the disease process, as opposed to vaccines, likewise has no understanding of immunology. As a matter of fact, vaccines are a completely natural process. Living creatures are exposed to thousands of foreign antigens or "germs" on a daily basis. We are unaware of that fact, precisely because healthy people posses a vigorous immune system. If you want to see what life would be like without a healthy immune system, read about infectious diseases in people who are immunosuppressed, like people with leukemia, AIDS, or cancer patients on chemotherapy. They frequently become seriously ill or even die from infectious diseases that wouldn't even cause a runny nose in healthy people. Only a small percentage of viruses and bacteria cause disease that is life threatening in otherwise healthy people (or horses). We are all covered with bacteria and viruses....literally millions of them, inside and out. Most deadly bacteria and viruses do convey immunity, which is wonderful........if you, or your horse, survives. Fortunately, we (and our horses) are all equipped to call upon our immune systems to prevent deadly illness if we are smart and sensible enough to vaccinate. For those of you who repeatedly say, "I've never vaccinated and my horses have never been sick", all I can say is you are either a liar or lucky. I'm not going to sit here and recommend which vaccines are recommended and which aren't necessary, but I would recommend you talk to your vet or doctor. If they tell you vaccines aren't necessary, I will recommend you dump them and seek out someone educated and competent. This whole antivax movement is insane.
Agreed
I grew up on a ranch and my dad vaccinated for everything. We rarely lost animals from disease. I got married and my FIL didn't see a need to vaccinate at all. One year he lost nearly all of his calves to blackleg. That pretty well convinced him of the need to vaccinate. A hard way to learn when you lose 100 or so calves. In all the vet offices around here there are signs to vaccinate for West Nile.
There has been a post on facebook about all the dangers of getting a vaccination for the flu. My principal nearly died last year the from the flu because it went septic. I was the first person in line at school for my flu shot and I bet my principal was right behind me somewhere. I think I will continue vaccinate horses and myself. I seriously don't know where people come up with that stuff. You youngsters have no idea about small pox vaccinations but smallpox has been wiped out around the world because of an aggressive vaccination program.
|
|
| |
|
 Experienced Mouse Trapper
Posts: 3106
Location: North Dakota | streakysox - 2016-11-28 9:22 AM Bear - 2016-11-24 10:07 PM Vaccinating horses does not "weaken" their immune system. Anyone who believes this nonsense simply has no idea whatsoever how the immune system works. Also, this notion that people prefer "natural" immunity through the disease process, as opposed to vaccines, likewise has no understanding of immunology. As a matter of fact, vaccines are a completely natural process. Living creatures are exposed to thousands of foreign antigens or "germs" on a daily basis. We are unaware of that fact, precisely because healthy people posses a vigorous immune system. If you want to see what life would be like without a healthy immune system, read about infectious diseases in people who are immunosuppressed, like people with leukemia, AIDS, or cancer patients on chemotherapy. They frequently become seriously ill or even die from infectious diseases that wouldn't even cause a runny nose in healthy people. Only a small percentage of viruses and bacteria cause disease that is life threatening in otherwise healthy people (or horses). We are all covered with bacteria and viruses....literally millions of them, inside and out. Most deadly bacteria and viruses do convey immunity, which is wonderful........if you, or your horse, survives. Fortunately, we (and our horses) are all equipped to call upon our immune systems to prevent deadly illness if we are smart and sensible enough to vaccinate. For those of you who repeatedly say, "I've never vaccinated and my horses have never been sick", all I can say is you are either a liar or lucky. I'm not going to sit here and recommend which vaccines are recommended and which aren't necessary, but I would recommend you talk to your vet or doctor. If they tell you vaccines aren't necessary, I will recommend you dump them and seek out someone educated and competent. This whole antivax movement is insane. Agreed I grew up on a ranch and my dad vaccinated for everything. We rarely lost animals from disease. I got married and my FIL didn't see a need to vaccinate at all. One year he lost nearly all of his calves to blackleg. That pretty well convinced him of the need to vaccinate. A hard way to learn when you lose 100 or so calves. In all the vet offices around here there are signs to vaccinate for West Nile. There has been a post on facebook about all the dangers of getting a vaccination for the flu. My principal nearly died last year the from the flu because it went septic. I was the first person in line at school for my flu shot and I bet my principal was right behind me somewhere. I think I will continue vaccinate horses and myself. I seriously don't know where people come up with that stuff. You youngsters have no idea about small pox vaccinations but smallpox has been wiped out around the world because of an aggressive vaccination program.
First day on the job of the vet clinic I used to work for, I witnessed a "sick" horse-turned out to be rabies-fortunately for me I didn't deal with the animal so I didn't need rabies vaccinations (at least that time)-leaves quite an impression when you have to witness an animal slowly dieing and then be euthanized over something that could have been so easily prevented. I witnessed several animals VERY ill from west nile-some survived many didn't. I vaccinate my horses EVERY year. My dad lost several calves from BVD one year-he now makes dang sure he handles his vaccination protocol to the letter for his cows and his calves. Even cattle on a ranch can be infiltrated-whether you're buying from a private owner or the sales barn-most horses get exposed a lot more than cattle. Finding a hole big enough to bury an animal in-isn't at the top of my list of things I love to do. |
|
| |
|
 You get what you give
Posts: 13030
Location: Texas | I vaccinate for everything, every year. I've seen firsthand what tetanus looks like, and what the neuro diseases can do. It's ugly, and a lot of times they never come back 100% from it if they survive a form of infectious encephalitis. And rabies? If you have a horse come down with rabies, which does happen, your option is euthanasia.
Edited by casualdust07 2016-11-28 10:01 AM
|
|
| |
Do you vaccinate your horses?