A CAMPAIGN to drive vaccination levels in the horse population, the first programme of its kind in the equine world, has secured the support of four equine vet practices in the Hereford area.

Launching in June, national vaccination month aims to raise awareness of the importance of vaccination, specifically against equine tetanus and flu, and encourage owners to protect their horses, and those they may come into contact with.

At a UK equine seminar, 90 per cent of equine vets felt that tetanus vaccination should be mandatory, yet current estimates suggest that less than half of the 1.2 million horses in the UK are vaccinated.

Horses are particularly susceptible to tetanus, which is almost always fatal in unvaccinated animals.

The organism which causes tetanus, clostridium tetani, lives in the soil and can infect horses through even the smallest puncture wounds, such as a nail or thorn prick.

In a bid to encourage owners to take an active interest in the welfare of their horse or pony, an increasing number of equine vets are requesting that all animals in their care are vaccinated against tetanus as an absolute minimum.

It seems to be working, with reports that more than 70 per cent of owners choosing to have their animal vaccinated.

Most often, lack of vaccination is due to a lack of awareness.

Many vets who have taken this stance have reported that the knock-on effect is a significant improvement in the general care of the animal, with oncelapsed clients requesting advice on diet, worming programmes and dentistry.

Equine flu should also be vaccinated against. It is extremely contagious and outbreaks can have a devastating impact, particularly to the competition horse industry.

Although ’flu vaccination is compulsory for all competition horses, many owners still fail to regularly inoculate against the disease.

In a poll of those working in the thoroughbred industry, from vets through to owners and trainers, three quarters believed that poor vaccination compliance among the riding community could be exposing their horses to infection.

To help drive uptake during national vaccination month, participating vets in the Hereford area are giving the second dose of a primary vaccination course (tetanus or flu/tetanus) and a wormer free of charge (visit fee not included).

To be eligible for the scheme, horses will need to be over 12 months of age, and be unvaccinated or to have lapsed from their normal booster vaccination by more than three months.

A voucher, and more information on diseases, is available for download from the website vaccination month.co.uk.