Vaccinating is part of a horse's routine care, but which shots are needed and how often you repeat them depends on where your horse is kept and whether you compete. Below is the basics, a workable schedule, and the requirement the KNHS sets for competition horses.
The Two Basic Vaccinations: Tetanus and Influenza
Virtually every horse in the Netherlands gets two vaccinations as a basic standard.
Tetanus (lockjaw) is a bacterial infection that enters the body through small wounds. Horses are especially susceptible to it, the disease is often fatal, and there's barely any treatment once it takes hold. Protection through vaccination is therefore the standard, regardless of whether you ever compete.
Influenza (equine flu) is a contagious respiratory infection that spreads quickly wherever many horses come together: boarding stables, competition grounds, transport. An outbreak can shut down an entire stable yard for days to weeks. For recreational riding, the vaccination is strongly recommended; for competitive sport, it's mandatory (see below).
Tetanus and influenza are often combined in a single combination shot, so your horse doesn't need to be jabbed twice separately.
Beyond the Basics: Rhinopneumonitis and Strangles
Two vaccinations get added regularly, but they're not a standard choice for every horse:
- Rhinopneumonitis (EHV) — especially the EHV-1 and EHV-4 strains. EHV-1 can cause respiratory symptoms, abortion in pregnant mares, and in rare cases serious neurological problems. Vaccinating is recommended at many stables, especially where mares are kept or where many horses move in and out, but it's generally not a blanket requirement.
- Strangles — a highly contagious bacterial infection of the upper respiratory tract. Whether a vaccination makes sense depends on the infection risk at your stable.
Whether these vaccinations are a fit is a conversation with your veterinarian and your stable owner, not a fixed rule. The consideration varies by stable situation, age, and whether pregnant mares are nearby.
A Workable Schedule
The exact intervals differ by vaccine, by manufacturer, and by situation. The schedule below is the general line you see a lot in practice; your veterinarian determines what's right for your horse.
| Vaccine | Initial Series | Booster Afterward |
|---|---|---|
| Tetanus | Two shots close together, then a third after a few months | Usually every 2–3 years |
| Influenza | Two shots a few weeks apart, plus a follow-up shot | Recreational: annually · Competition: often every 6 months |
| Rhinopneumonitis (EHV) | Initial series per package insert | If chosen: usually every 6 months |
A horse that's never been vaccinated always starts with an initial series of multiple shots before the annual or twice-yearly booster begins. A single stand-alone shot doesn't yet give full protection. So plan the initial series well ahead of your first competition, so the required intervals have time to run their course.
The KNHS Requirement for Competition Horses
Anyone competing under the KNHS (the Dutch equestrian federation) has to meet a mandatory influenza vaccination with strict deadlines. The shots and dates must be correctly recorded in the horse's passport, filled in and signed off by the veterinarian. This can be checked at the competition grounds.
The core of the requirement comes down to the following:
- The influenza vaccination must be demonstrably valid on the day you start.
- Minimum and maximum intervals apply between the shots of the initial series and between the boosters.
- Sometimes a waiting period of a few days applies between the last shot and your start — a freshly vaccinated horse may not go straight into the ring.
- If the validity has lapsed or a date in the passport is incorrect, you may not start, even if the horse is healthy.
These deadlines can change and must be followed precisely. Don't guess at them and don't rely on an old rule of thumb. Check the current requirement on knhs.nl and have your veterinarian keep the passport dates up to date. If you compete internationally under the FEI (the international equestrian federation), often even stricter influenza deadlines apply — check those separately with the FEI.
What It Costs and How to Plan It
Figures vary by region and practice, but as a guideline for a healthy horse:
| Item | Indication per Year |
|---|---|
| Influenza (annually or twice-yearly) | roughly €40–€90 |
| Tetanus (spread over several years) | roughly €15–€30 |
| Rhinopneumonitis, if chosen | roughly €40–€90 |
Budget a few tens of euros to just over a hundred euros a year for the basic vaccinations, depending on which shots you give and how often. Many practices vaccinate several horses at one stable in a single visit, which brings down the call-out cost — ask about this if your horse is at a boarding stable.
A few practical points:
- Put the due dates in your calendar. A missed influenza deadline is especially annoying for competition horses: you'll be at the grounds without a valid vaccination.
- Always have the passport signed off immediately after vaccinating. A shot that isn't recorded in the passport doesn't count for the KNHS.
- Combine the vaccination appointment with the annual dental check and the fecal egg count, so the veterinarian sees your horse in a single visit.
- A slightly sluggish feeling or a small lump at the injection site the next day is normal; persistent fever, listlessness, or not wanting to eat is not — call your veterinarian if that happens.
In Short
- Tetanus and influenza are the basics for virtually every horse; they're often combined in a single shot.
- Rhinopneumonitis and strangles depend on the situation — discuss with your veterinarian and stable.
- An unvaccinated horse starts with an initial series before the annual or twice-yearly booster begins.
- Competition riders follow the KNHS influenza deadlines strictly and keep the passport up to date; when in doubt, the current requirement on knhs.nl counts.
This overview helps you prepare for the conversation with your veterinarian. For the exact, current vaccinations and competition deadlines, your veterinarian together with knhs.nl remains the source — this is not a substitute for veterinary advice.
See also: Veterinary Health Care: Vaccinations, Deworming, and Dental Care · Competition Dress and Tack Rules · Level: First Competitions