5 (Surprising?!) Warm Weather Health Facts

Test your equine health knowledge and ensure your horse is ready to start the season well.

You probably know that some equine health risks ramp up along with show competition and rising temperatures. But the risks might not be what you think. Check out the facts below to shed some (sun)light on vaccination and deworming strategies to better protect your horse.

Strangles, equine flu and EHV-4 are the most common infectious diseases in the spring.

Strangles tops the list of springtime infections, with more and more horses being affected each year, according to a new study.1 (Get more strangles info on pages 8 and 9.) Equine flu and equine herpesvirus type 4 (EHV-4) round out the top three diseases for the season, with EHV-4 also coming in as the most common infectious upper respiratory disease overall.2 All three of these upper respiratory infections cause similar clinical signs in horses, including nasal discharge, fever and lethargy. Working with your veterinarian to get a proper diagnosis is essential so you can choose the most effective treatment and biosecurity measures.

Be prepared

When choosing an influenza vaccine, ensure it is updated to account for the Florida ’13 equine influenza strain, which is the most current.

Both traveling and non-traveling horses face similar risks for infectious diseases.

Heading to competitions increases a horse’s risk of contracting infectious diseases because the stress of travel can weaken the immune system. Still, data from the Equine Respiratory Biosurveillance Program shows that a majority of horses infected with the three most common infectious diseases did not travel. See the table at right for more detail, including how other demographics impact a horse’s risk for infection.

Be prepared

The need for vaccination against strangles, equine flu and EHV-1&4 is determined in part by your horse’s age and lifestyle. Consult with your veterinarian about the vaccinations that make sense for your horse’s situation.

One shot may not be enough to protect against mosquito-borne diseases.

Many people assume that getting a so-called encephalitis shot protects horses against West Nile virus, Eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE) and Western equine encephalomyelitis (WEE). In fact, these are three distinct diseases, and some vaccines protect against only one or two. This misunderstanding could be why cases of West Nile and EEE/WEE are on the rise across the country, but especially in Northern and East Coast states. Some veterinarians believe horses are undervaccinated against the diseases, even though the American Association of Equine Practitioners recommends that every horse, regardless of location or travel status, be vaccinated because of the diseases’ high mortality rate.

Key Characteristics for Top Three Infectious Diseases (July – December 2022)2

Be prepared

Even though every horse should be vaccinated against West Nile and EEE/WEE, travel still impacts vaccination timing. Horses traveling to areas that experience year round mosquito activity, like the Southern United States, should consider a West Nile and EEE/WEE booster every 6 months. Unvaccinated Horses should receive an initial vaccination for West Nile and EEE/WEE that’s followed by a booster three to four weeks later.

4

Parasite control is not about completely eradicating parasites from your horse.

Horses are exposed to internal parasites by grazing on pasture that contains infective worm larvae. All horses that graze parasite-infested pastures develop parasites in their digestive systems. With this inevitability, the primary goal of a strategic parasite control program is to control parasite eggs that horses shed in fecal matter and limit parasite infections so your horse can avoid illness.

Be prepared

Work with your veterinarian to get a fecal egg count performed on your horse. This allows you to understand which intestinal parasites are present. Based on the results, your veterinarian can help you select which dewormer your horse needs and when. Avoiding unnecessary use of dewormers helps slow parasite resistance.

Natural approaches round out disease and parasite control.

Biosecurity measures and non-chemical strategies help protect your horse, as well as the horses that may come and go from your stable.

To reduce parasite egg and larvae buildup in the environment, implement the options that work for you:

• Feed hay and grain in raised containers.

• Clean water sources regularly to prevent fecal contamination.

• Remove manure from pastures and paddocks at least twice weekly.

• Compost manure.

• Don’t overstock pastures or allow pastures to become overgrazed.

• Cross-graze pastures with other ruminant species, preferably sheep.

• Keep pastures mowed.

• During hot, dry weather, harrow or rake pastures to disperse manure piles and expose larvae to sun. Rest the pasture a minimum of four weeks after harrowing.

• Harvest a hay crop off pastures.

• Plant an annual crop such as winter wheat.

Infectious diseases can spread quickly, so taking preventive measures helps keep them at bay:

• Quarantine new horses.

• Isolate sick horses.

• Regularly disinfect equipment.

• Maintain good hand hygiene.

• Monitor your horse’s temperature, especially when traveling.

• Avoid sharing tack.

• Limit nose-to-nose contact between horses.

Be prepared

Even if you’re not able to implement all the nonchemical parasite-control measures, practice the ones that make sense for your farm. When it comes to biosecurity measures, they make a great defense and an even better offense. After all, preventing the spread of infectious disease is better than trying to contain it.

With these (lesser known) facts, you and your horse can confidently get out to enjoy some sunshine-filled riding. A little preparation and proactive communication with your veterinarian helps ensure a season full of only good surprises.