What Shots Do Miniature Horses Need?

Miniature horses, like their full-size counterparts, require certain shots, or vaccinations, in the same dosage as full-sized horses to protect their health. Unlike full-size horses , delivering multiple vaccines at the same time, or giving "combo" shots, that include West Nile are not recommended for miniature horses as it can be too much for their systems. Instead, vaccinations should be spaced out at least a week between shots delivered to different areas of the body for miniature horses. Shots for VEWT, rabies, West Nile, flu and rhino are recommended for miniature horses in general. In addition to increased frequency flu and rhino shots, strep and Potomac horse fever vaccines are suggested for miniature show horses.

  1. VEWT Shots

    • The VEWT (Venezuelan, eastern and western encephalomyelitis and tetanus) vaccination must be given during the spring. If it is the first time the vaccine is given, a booster shot must be delivered four to six weeks later. This vaccination will help prevent potentially deadly tetanus disease -- also commonly known as lockjaw -- caused by a bacteria that infects puncture wounds, deep muscle bruises and abscesses. This vaccination also prevents encephalomyelitis, a disease that can cause blindness and brain and spinal cord inflammation in miniature horses. Also known as sleeping sickness, the disease is caused by viruses carried by wild bird populations. Of the three strains occurring in North America, only the Venezuelan strain can be transmitted from horse to horse. While the vaccinations combined in the VEWT shot are available separately, the triple combination of the three varieties of encephalomyelitis is considered the most effective.

    Rabies Shots

    • Miniature horses must be given an initial rabies vaccines with a booster every two to three years or yearly in high-risk areas. Miniature horses can contract rabies -- a dangerous and potentially deadly disease from other animals -- so even though the vaccine isn't always required by law, it is recommended to protect your miniature horse. Symptoms of rabies include staggering, delirium, hallucinations, high fever and a loss of balance in early stages, and foaming of the mouth and salivating in advanced stages.

    West Nile Vaccine

    • West Nile shots should be delivered to miniature horses initially in the spring, and followed by a booster in about four weeks and then delivered in spring and fall in regions where the disease carriers -- mosquitoes -- are present all year-round. Despite rumors to the contrary, the West Nile vaccine is not incompatible with miniature horses and no studies have shown complications with the vaccine in miniature horses. The West Nile vaccine is not recommended for pregnant miniature horses in their first trimester.

    Flu/Rhino Shots

    • All miniature horses should receive influenza and rhinopneumonitis shots in the fall, and the initial vaccine must be followed by a booster in four weeks. Miniature brood mares should not be given combined flu/rhino shots unless recommended by a veterinarian. Because of their increased exposure to flu and rhino from other miniature horses at shows, miniature show horses should receive flu/rhino shots every three months, at least three weeks before shows.

    Additional Shots for Miniature Show Horses

    • Because of their traveling lifestyle, miniature show horses must receive additional vaccines. Miniature show horses should have an initial Potomac horse fever (PHF) shot, with boosters every three months when traveling to infected areas. A strep vaccine available in intranasal form through veterinary clinics is also recommended to prevent illnesses in show horses.