In accordance with Jockey Club or Show Committee Rules and to enable animals to be admitted to show grounds and racecourses etc. for competition purposes, horses, ponies and donkeys should be vaccinated as follows:

• A Primary Course of two injections not less than 21 days or more than 60 days apart (*) Medically we prefer to give the second vaccination 4 - 6 weeks after the first

•  A first Booster must be given not less than 150 days and not more than 180 days or 5 - 6 months (*) after the second injection of the Primary Course

• Thereafter, annual Boosters are to be given not more than 12 months apart. 

(*) NB - new intervals for the 2nd and 3rd vaccination introduced in January 2022

Thus a typical vaccination pattern would be:

1st  January  (F&T)
1st  February  (F&T)
1st July  (F)
30st June - the following year from primary course (F&T)
29th June - the following year (F)
28th June - the following year (F&T)  etc.

After the initial course tetanus vaccinations are usually required every two years depending on which type of vaccine has been used previously. The vet will check this when they visit and it is one of the reasons why we ask for the passport to be ready.

If at any time an injection is given later than is required under these rules, the whole sequence must be started from the beginning, including the 5 - 7 month booster.

HERE is a handy tool from the British Riding Club to work out when your horse's vaccinations will be due.

HORSES AND PONIES COMPETING IN FEI COMPETITIONS REQUIRE 6 MONTHLY FLU VACCINATIONS - please follow this link. These rules are meant for competition purposes.  1st and 2nd vaccinations give sufficient cover for shows (cover valid 7 days from 2nd vaccination until 3rd vaccination is due) but it is always wise to check with the governing body if your horse has not yet had the full primary course.  Tetanus is not necessary for shows.

Remembering when your horse's vaccination is due is your responsibility!  Historically, we have issued vaccination reminders by text to your mobile phone to jog your memory, and we will continue to provide this service but these reminders should not be relied on 100%.  If your horse's vaccination goes over its due date, the course will have to be started again and you will incur unnecessary costs.  It helps the vet if your horse's passport is available for signature at the time of vaccination.

Animals can be gently exercised after any vaccinations but should not be worked hard or sweated up for 48hours post vaccination.

Foals should have 1st F&T vaccination at 5 months (or from 2-3 months if insufficient colostrum).  Young foals are protected by vaccinating the dam in the last 6 weeks of pregnancy and ensuring that they receive the first milk (colostrum) in first 8-12 hours after birth to receive antibodies.

For further information on mare & foals, see HERE for our section on reproduction or contact BELL on 01622 813700 and speak to one of the vets.

From 1 January 2005 onwards, influenza vaccination for all horses competing in FEI competitions requires a vaccination within six months + 21 days of the competition. ** This has also been applied by many other governing bodies and show centres after the equine influenza outbreak in 2019. 

1. All horses intending to participate in FEI competition must have at least received an initial primary course of two vaccinations, given between 21 and 60 days apart. Thereafter, a third dose (referred to as the first booster) must be given within 150 & 180 days or 5-6 months after the date of administration of the second primary dose, with at least annual boosters given subsequently (i.e. within one year of the last dose).

2. If the horse is scheduled to take part in an FEI competition, the last booster must have been given within 6 months + 21 days of arrival at the FEI event. (The 21 day window has been provided to enable vaccination requirements to fit in with the competition schedule).

3. No vaccination shall be given within 7 days of the day of arrival at the FEI event.

4. All horses that were certified as correctly vaccinated under the previous FEI equine influenza vaccination rule prior to 1st January 2005, do not need to start a primary course again provided that they have complied with the previous rule of primary course and annual revaccinations and the new rule of a booster vaccination within 6 months + 21 days of the day of arrival at the FEI event.

5. In addition to the FEI requirements: for horses importing to the US all vaccination must be completed at least 14 days prior to export to the US.

Vaccines, Administration and Certification

• All proprietary equine influenza vaccines are acceptable to the FEI irrespective of the route of administration.
• All vaccines must be administered by a Veterinarian.
• The vaccination should be administered according to the manufacturer’s instructions (i.e. intramuscular injection or intranasal).
• The details of the vaccine, serial/batch number, the date and route of administration must be recorded in the FEI passport.
• Where vaccination details are to be entered into new FEI passports/recognition cards or duplicates, if the vaccination history of the horse is very long, the Veterinarian who completes the descriptive page of the passport/recognition card may use a specific statement to certify that the vaccinations have been administered in accordance with FEI regulations (for the extract of the wording see Veterinary Regulations, Annex XIII.I.11).