4. RESPIRATORY I NFECTIONS

Naïve immune systems and first-time encounters with pathogens account for the seemingly perpetual runny noses seen in some young horses.

that parasite control, in young and old horses alike, also involves management measures, such a picking up manure from pastures and rotational grazing. “The parasite life cycle requires that the worm eggs hatch and then

Like internal parasites, infectious diseases such as strangles , influenza and rhinopneumonitis are more likely to strike young horses because their immune responses are not fully developed. The risk is heightened when the youngsters begin to leave the confines of their home farms and come in contact with a host of pathogens they haven’t encountered before. This, combined with the stress of transport and changes of environment, can lead to seemingly perpetually runny noses.

Vaccines, of course, are a vital defense against the worst illnesses. But the larvae move onto the grass,” says Nelson. “Then it goes through stages until it gets to the infectious stage, to be eaten by a horse. This is where management becomes important. If you get horses off the pasture before the the best vaccination schedule for a foal, weanling or yearling will depend in part on his geographic location and lifestyle. Your veterinarian can help you determine the right plan for your horse.

“It makes sense, vaccination-wise, to try to protect young horses during their weanling through 2-year-old years as they move out of the biosecurity of their home pasture,” Connally says. “You need to start on their first vaccinations at the recommended ages and do the appropriate boosters.”

The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) maintains agerelated vaccination guidelines for both core and risk-based vaccines. “The main recommendations regarding influenza, for instance, is to vaccinate horses 3 years infectious stage is present, the horses won’t become re-infected with worms. Rotating pastures can be very helpful.” This is particularly true in hot, dry areas, where environmental conditions will kill the larvae quickly.

The best vaccination schedule for a foal, weanling or yearling will depend in part on his geographic location and lifestyle. Your veterinarian can help you determine the right plan for your horse.

old and under or any horses that are competing and subjected to exposure from horses outside their own farm,” says Connally. “Flu is one of the big ones we think about for