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Herd Health Guidelines

Adult Horses

 

Vaccinations:

  • Spring Visit #1 (March) – EEE/WEE/West Nile/Tetanus/Influenza/Rhinopneumonitis, Coggins

  • Spring Visit #2 (April) – Potomac Horse Fever, Botulism

  • Fall Visit – Rabies, Influenza/Rhinopneumonitis

 

Deworming:

  • Spring - Ivermectin

  • Summer – Double Dose Pyrantel Pamoate (Strongid, Exodus) – Dose for twice the body weight of the horse on the same day.

  • Fall – Ivermectin & Praziquantel (Equimaxx, Zimectrin Gold)

  • Winter – Oxibendazole (Anthelcide)

 

I recommend doing fecal egg count reduction tests (FECRT) twice yearly on groups of animals to monitor for anthelmintic resistance. The procedure for a fecal egg count is to take a baseline fecal egg count (FEC) prior to deworming and then take a FECRT from the same group of animals 2 weeks after deworming.

 

Dental Care:

Horses should have a dental exam yearly and have their teeth floated as required.

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Broodmares

 

Vaccinations:

  • Killed Equine Herpes 1 & 4 Virus (Pneumobort-K) – Administer at 5, 7,and 9 months of gestation

  • Prefoaling Vaccine at 10 months of gestation– EEE/WEE/West Nile/Tetanus/Influenza/Rhinopneumonitis/PHF/Botulism

 

Deworming:

 

Ivermectin at 10 months of gestation in addition to routine deworming schedule

 

Post Breeding Protocol

  • Ultrasound at day 15-16 for pregnancy diagnosis and twin check. This breed has high occurance of twins. One ultrasound is most often is not enough and it's advisable to recheck

  • Ultrasound may be done several times with in the first thirty days for twin checks. Twins may often go undected even though several checks may be done

  • Ultrasound at day 35 for fetal heart beat check. Additional ultrasound examinations may be indicated for high risk mares. Progesterone levels should be checked on high risk mares at time of pregnancy diagnosis.

  • Mares with inadequate progesterone to maintain pregnancy should be given altrenogest (Regumate) at the rate of 1cc/100# body weight. High risk mares may be started on altrenogest at day 35

 

Foaling Protocol

 

Foaling should be attended and monitored for the following during labor. If there is deviation from these events contact the veterinarian on call or take necessary steps to correct the problem.

 

First Stage of Parturition

  • Variable time frame (30 minutes – 4 hours)

  • Mare may become restless and show colicky behavior

  • End point of first stage is rupture of the chorioallantois of the placenta "water breaks"

  • If a red membrane is visible protruding from the vulva during this stage of labor it should be broken as it suggests premature separation of the placenta "red bag"

  • If possible the mare should be cleaned and the tail wrapped prior to or during the first stage of parturition

 

Second Stage of Parturition

  • Should not last for more than 30 minutes

  • Amnion may be visible protruding from the vulva a white shiny membrane

  • Foal should be seen with the front feet first with the soles of the feet pointing down. If there is any deviation from this posture the fetus should be repositioned and the veterinarian on call should be contacted

  • Second stage of parturition ends with delivery of the foal

 

Third Stage of Parturition

  • Variable time frame (30 minutes – 6 hours)

  • Ends with complete expulsion of the fetal membranes

  • Fetal membranes present in the birth canal after 6 hours require veterinary attention

 

Post Foaling Protocol

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  • Dip umbilicus in betadine solution or chlorhexadine solution for 1 minute four times in the first 24 hours.

  • Apparently healthy mares and foals should be examined between 12-36 hours postpartum.

  • Examination should include measurement of IgG level in foal to ensure adequate passive transfer.

  • If you have any concerns regarding the health of the mare, foal, and fetal membranes the examination should occur sooner.

  • Complete examination, umbilical, joints, bite and eyes checked at this time.

  • Save all fetal membranes (placenta) for examination.

    • Visit #1 - EEE/WEE/West Nile/Tetanus/Influenza/Rhinopneumonitis, Botulism, Coggins
      ***2 weeks***

    • Visit #2 – PHF, Booster Botulism #2
      ***2 weeks***

    • Visit #3 – Booster EEE/WEE/West Nile/Tetanus/Influenza/Rhinopneumonitis,Booster Botulism #3
      ***2 weeks***

    • Visit #4 Booster PHF, Rabies
      ***2 weeks***

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Weanlings (6 months)

Deworming:

 

    • 1,2,3,4 months – 250# dose fenbendazole

    • 6 months – Weight appropriate dose of Ivermectin

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Lawsonia Control Program

  • Vaccinate anywhere from 3-9 months of age with a booster at 4 weeks

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