Vaccinations may not prevent every case of illness, but they remain one of the most effective tools horse owners have for reducing the risk of serious and sometimes fatal disease. The right vaccination program depends on the horse, where it lives, how often it travels and the animals it may encounter.

The American Association of Equine Practitioners divides vaccines into two categories: core and risk-based. Core vaccines are recommended for all horses because the diseases pose a significant health risk, may have public health implications or are spread by sources that owners cannot completely control. The core vaccines for horses are tetanus, Eastern and Western equine encephalomyelitis, West Nile virus and rabies.

Tetanus is caused by bacteria commonly found in soil and manure. The organism can enter through puncture wounds, cuts, surgical sites and other damaged tissue. Even a wound that appears minor can create an opportunity for infection. Previously vaccinated adult horses generally receive a tetanus booster annually. An additional booster may be recommended following a penetrating injury or before surgery if more than six months have passed since the horse’s last dose.

Eastern and Western equine encephalomyelitis and West Nile virus are spread primarily through mosquitoes. These diseases can affect the nervous system and may cause weakness, loss of coordination, behavioral changes, difficulty standing or death. Vaccination is generally scheduled before mosquito season begins. In regions with long mosquito seasons, a veterinarian may recommend boosters more frequently than once a year.

Rabies is uncommon in horses, but it is fatal and can be transmitted to people. Horses may be exposed through contact with infected wildlife, including bats, skunks, raccoons and foxes. Because horses frequently interact with owners, veterinarians, farriers and other handlers, annual rabies vaccination protects more than the individual animal.

Risk-based vaccines are recommended according to a horse’s individual circumstances. These may include vaccines for equine influenza, equine herpesvirus, strangles, leptospirosis, botulism and other diseases. A horse that remains on one farm with a closed herd may have different needs than a show horse that travels regularly, shares barns with unfamiliar horses and encounters animals from several states.

Influenza and equine herpesvirus vaccines are commonly considered for horses that travel or are frequently exposed to new horses. Equine influenza spreads quickly through respiratory droplets and contaminated equipment. Horses at increased risk may need boosters every six months, and some competitions or facilities require proof of recent vaccination.

Timing also matters. Vaccines do not provide immediate protection, and an unvaccinated horse may require an initial series of two or more doses. The AAEP recommends completing the primary series and needed boosters at least 14 days before likely exposure. Waiting until the day before a show or hauling trip does not give the immune system enough time to respond.

Mild soreness, swelling or a temporary fever can occur after vaccination. Serious reactions are rare, but owners should contact their veterinarian if a horse develops significant swelling, breathing difficulty, hives, weakness or other concerning signs.

There is no single vaccination schedule that fits every horse. Age, pregnancy, health, travel, local disease activity and previous vaccination history all affect the plan. A veterinarian can also make sure vaccines have been properly stored, administered and recorded.

Vaccination works best alongside good management. Clean equipment, limited contact with unfamiliar horses, isolation of new arrivals and prompt attention to illness remain important. Together, vaccination and basic biosecurity provide horses with a stronger line of defense against preventable disease.

When I was younger, I saw plenty of old Westerns. They were fun to watch, but one part always stressed me out. Inevitably, a cowboy would get shot or thrown from his horse, and while the cameras stayed on the fallen rider, I worried about the horse. Would it wander around lost on the prairie, never finding its way back? The truth is, most horses know exactly where home is. Turn one loose, and it will drift toward the barn. Ride one out, and the trip away from home feels steady, but the return picks up pace the moment the barn roof comes into sight. We even have a name for it: barn sour.

Horses are prey animals, and survival has always depended on familiar ground. For a domestic horse, the barn means food, water, and the company of the herd. Ethologists (scientists who study animal behavior) point out that horses are quick to learn patterns. When hay and grain appear in the same place every day, that spot becomes magnetic. Over time, repetition lays down mental trails as clearly as cattle wear down physical ones in a pasture. What appears to be stubbornness is actually instinct. The barn equals safety, and safety equals survival. Riders from cavalry days to modern ranches have written about horses quickening their pace on the way home. And though the land changes, that pull never does.

People are not so different. We all have barns in our lives — comfort zones we gravitate toward, routines that steady us. They serve a purpose. Like a horse standing at the gate, we lean on safe ground when life feels uncertain. But the pull can also hold us back. A horse that refuses to leave the yard never discovers what lies beyond the fence, and the same is true for us.

That balance shows up in history too. Old cattle trails once served their purpose, guiding herds north and helping to build economies. But when railroads and fences changed the landscape, those well-worn tracks became ruts. Progress required new paths. Our own habits work the same way. Some keep us grounded. Others only circle us back to where we started.

When I see my horses drifting toward the barn, I think less about impatience and more about instinct. They are drawn to the familiar, and so am I. The barn matters. It is the anchor point, the place of rest. But the pasture matters too, because growth is waiting outside the gate.

Those old Westerns had it right in at least one way. The cowboy’s horse was never going to wander off aimlessly. It would head back to camp, back to the barn. That simple truth still plays out in every pasture and arena today. Horses know where home is. The question is whether we will let the pull of our own barns keep us tied too tightly, or whether we will use them as a base to step farther into the wide-open ground ahead.

By Janis Blackwell

As the season arrives to gear up for participation in your equine event of choice, one thing remains a constant for all horse owners. That constant is our responsibility to insure the safety of our horses by being diligent to maintain the integrity of the trailers in which we haul them. There are a number of things that can be dangerous both inside and outside of your trailer. Whether you traveled all winter long or whether your trailer sat unused or was used very little through the cold weather months, at least once a year your trailer is due a thorough going over. So here we go with a checklist that will help you insure a happy and safe trip for you and your equine partner.

1. A sound floor is absolutely imperative. Whether your floor is aluminum, steel or wood, it should be cleaned regularly after use to preserve it. Urine and manure will erode and weaken all types of floors. Even rubber mats will not prevent erosion of your floor. (Maintenance tip: remove mats and wash aluminum floors often to prevent erosion.)
2. Especially check wooden floors for rotten boards. Immediately replace questionable flooring before hauling. (Maintenance tip: For wood, remove mats and wash out manure and debris. Coat wooden floor in a cheap motor oil. Allow to sit in hot summer weather until the oil soaks in. Be careful—floor will be slippery until oil cures into the wood. This treatment yearly will preserve a wooden floor for much longer than normal as it repels urine and protects the wood).

1. Keep the interior and exterior washed to enable you to check for rusted out places, leaks, etc.
2. Have a professional check your brakes at least once yearly to be sure they are operating properly.
3. Be sure tires are inflated to the proper air pressure, and check the inside of each tire for hidden unusual wear that could cause a blowout. Replace worn tires before leaving home.
4. Wheel bearings must be checked and packed at least once a year. This should be done even if the trailer has been rarely used since the last time the wheel bearings were packed. In fact, trailer maintenance professionals say that sitting stationary and unused is even worse for the bearings.  Improper care and maintenance of wheel bearings can cause a wheel to seize up and actually twist off while in use. Use a horse trailer professional for this maintenance task.
5. Axles should be checked for bowing. A bent or bowed axle can cause excessive tire wear and damage wheel bearings.
6. There should be no more than two inches in height difference from the front of the trailer to the back. More difference than that causes the bulk of weight of the trailer and its contents to ride mostly on the rear axle causing it to bow and wear on both tires and wheel bearings.
7. Another critical part of the trailer to keep an eye on are the butt chain or bar and the back door. The butt chain or bar should be firmly attached to the wall and its keeper and should always be latched. The door should have a strong secure latch with a pin to insure it stays latched while in motion.
8. Finally, but certainly not of least importance is a thorough check of the trailer hitch including ball and coupling. Keep the ball well greased. Periodically, check to see that the ball is still securely tightened and the latch on the coupling is working properly.

These few critical safety check points can save you money, stress and the wellbeing of your horse. Until next time, happy trails and safe traveling.

This article was originally published in the April 2016 issue of Oklahoma Farm & Ranch.