It is easy to forget rabies vaccinations for horses, but it is critical to remember. Of the five core diseases for horses, rabies is the deadliest.
Horses are nearly four times more likely to contract rabies than dogs. Across the U.S., the majority of horses are not vaccinated for rabies and often have a higher risk of exposure than dogs.
Source: AQHA, June 18, 2018. Link.
“Everybody is at risk for developing rabies. Your horse is at higher risk for being exposed probably at pasture, but being in a stall does not preclude exposure,” said Bonnie R. Rush, DVM, MS, DACVIM, Interim Dean at Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. “The consequences of interacting with a horse that has rabies are significant.”
INSIGHTS: Share this information with horse owners. Annual vaccination for rabies and the other core diseases that include Eastern and Western Encephalomyelitis, tetanus and West Nile Virus help prevent risk for horses and owners.