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Horse vaccination schedule: records and rules
A UK horse vaccination schedule usually includes a flu primary course followed by annual boosters, with shorter intervals where competition rules require them. Agree tetanus and risk-based vaccines with your vet, then confirm the dates against the rules for each event.
A UK schedule to discuss with your vet
| Vaccine | Usual starting point | What changes the plan |
|---|---|---|
| Equine influenza | A primary course, first booster and ongoing boosters. B&W describes V2 at 21–60 days, V3 at 120–180 days after V2, then annual boosters. | The vaccine datasheet and competition rules may require a different or shorter interval. |
| Tetanus | For separate vaccines, B&W describes two initial doses 4–6 weeks apart, a booster within 12 months, then every two years. | Combined products, previous records and wound management. |
| EHV | A product-specific primary course, commonly with six-monthly boosters. | Breeding, pregnancy, yard contacts and outbreak advice. Vaccination does not eliminate infection or neurological disease. |
| Other vaccines | Discuss strangles and, for breeding situations, rotavirus or equine viral arteritis. | Travel, stud requirements, disease history and the licensed product. |
Source: B&W Equine Vets. These are examples for discussing a plan, not automatic dates for every horse. Foals and pregnant mares need their own veterinary schedule.
British racing: use the BHA check
The BHA vaccination calculator has separate primary-course and booster checks. Enter the actual dates from the passport and compare its result with the Vaccinations Code. The calculator is for British racing, not every equestrian organisation.
BHA guidance describes V2 at 21–60 days and V3 at 120–180 days after V2. Its 2026 guidance confirms that subsequent boosters must be no more than six months apart. Check the race-day exclusion period in the code too: the last permissible injection date is a separate calculation from the next booster deadline.
Other UK competitions and international starts
British Dressage, British Eventing, British Showjumping, riding clubs, Pony Club and individual venues may apply different requirements. Before booking, check the primary-course dates, booster interval, vaccination-free period and whether the rule counts back from arrival or competition day.
For new FEI courses from 2024, V2 follows after 21–60 days and V3 within 6 months and 21 days of V2. Entry may be possible after V2, subject to the waiting period. Once boosters are required, the latest must be within 6 months and 21 days before arrival, with no vaccination in the previous seven days. Check older courses and exceptions in the FEI vaccination requirements. Ask your vet to check the whole history and required documentation. Do not use a BHA calculator result as FEI clearance. A passport or certificate must carry the required veterinary entries; your private notes do not replace it.
Protection and preparation
Vaccination prepares the immune system to recognise particular infections. It does not replace biosecurity: vaccinated horses can still become ill, and new arrivals or suspected illness need veterinary advice. Tetanus protection matters even for horses that never leave home.
Tell your vet about medicines, previous reactions, breeding plans and recent illness before the visit. Ask what exercise is appropriate afterwards. Report fever, marked dullness or a worsening painful swelling promptly instead of assuming every reaction is harmless.
Your appointment checklist
- Gather the passport and complete vaccination history, including any gap or uncertain date.
- List the organisations, venues, arrival dates and event dates you are planning around.
- Ask the vet to write down the next dose date, product and any rest or monitoring instructions.
- Check the date, vaccine details and required veterinary signature/stamp in the official record.
- Book before the deadline and keep a reminder plus a note of any reaction.
Frequently asked
What happens if a booster is late?
Ask the vet and the relevant organisation to review the complete record. A restart may be required, but the answer depends on the rule and the existing course. Do not change dates or infer eligibility from the latest injection alone.
Does this schedule apply in the US or Australia?
No. Vaccine risks, products and event requirements differ by country. Ask a local equine vet for the appropriate plan; do not transfer the UK intervals to another country.
What should I budget for?
Request a quote covering the examination, vaccine, administration, visit charge and records. For a primary course, include every required visit and ask whether a shared yard visit changes the charge.
Can Halster replace the vaccination certificate?
No. Keep your own notes alongside the official veterinary records. Halster does not certify competition eligibility.
Halster doesn’t diagnose. If you’re unsure about your horse’s health, call your vet.
In Halster
Keep the next vaccination date handy
Add the vaccination date agreed with your vet to your horse’s appointments in Halster.
Install the test version through TestFlight.
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