EEEK! It's a ....

NEEDLE!

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Springtime means annual vaccinations. Vegas is pretty good about his shots but some of us are not. The needle is never very big, but can get huge reactions! Horses are out in the fields and can run into some serious hazards that can be minimized through yearly vaccinations. It is good to schedules vaccines in the spring (April seems to work here) and then do them annually each year around the same time. You need to keep up-to-date records of when your horse was vaccinated and for what (more on that in another post).

Many factors will take a part in what your horse needs: the climate and the horse's age, among other things. The best way to know what your horse needs and when is to talk to your local veterinarian. DO NOT administer your own shots unless you are confident in your ability and have been shown by a more experienced person how to do it. I gave Vegas a shot and I do not take it lightly (actually I sometimes freak myself out, which then upsets Vegas). If you are not confident or even slightly hesitant it is much safer to pay the money for a veterinarian to do it for you. Some shots, like rabies, can only be administered by a vet, which means you have no choice but to get the vet in to do the shot. 

                                                                     Shots to Consider:

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1. West Nile: In Manitoba, mosquitoes are a nuisance. Mosquitoes carry a horrible disease called West Nile. It is best to give a West Nile vaccine before the mosquitoes emerge for the season; the shot will last the horse the entire season.  West Nile can cause neurological diseases and horses can survive from the disease but it can be touch and go and many have died before the disease was fully understood. Your best method of prevention is to get your horse the vaccine!! You can't remove the mosquitoes from your horses environment completely so vaccinate, vaccinate, did I say vaccinate?

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2. Rabies: Skunks. Hmmm. If you haven't seen one before, you have definitely smelt one. Ewww. Where there is one there are many. Skunks are prevalent in the country side.  Rabies.... if your horse gets it, he/she is gone and if you board your horse you will not have the chance to say goodbye. Rabies is a neurological disease that can make your horse dangerous and act irrational. The only prevention is to get a vet out to vaccinate your horse with a rabies shot. If you see a skunk or other dangerous animals get  rid of them, especially those that are acting strange. IF you see a skunk during the day, it most likely has rabies!

More vaccinations to come!