Are all five core vaccines really necessary?

Yes. The AAEP considers these core because the diseases they prevent are widespread, potentially fatal, and (in the case of rabies) zoonotic. Tetanus, EEE, WEE, WNV, and rabies vaccination is recommended for every horse regardless of lifestyle.

How often do risk-based vaccines need boosters?

Influenza and EHV-1/4 are typically given every 6 months for at-risk horses. Strangles, Potomac Horse Fever, and Botulism are annual. EVA is given before breeding season. Your veterinarian will adjust based on exposure level.

When should foals start their vaccine series?

Most foals begin core vaccinations at 4–6 months of age, with boosters every 3–4 weeks until the series is complete. Maternal antibodies can interfere with early vaccination, so timing depends on the mare’s vaccination status.

Can I give multiple vaccines at the same visit?

Yes, in most cases. Your veterinarian will administer multiple vaccines at different injection sites during a single visit. Combination vaccines (e.g., EEE/WEE/WNV/Tetanus) are commonly used to reduce the number of injections.

ToolsConductScience tool

AAEP GuidelinesFree in-browser calculator

Vaccination Calendar Builder.

Build a personalized equine vaccination calendar from AAEP core + risk-based guidelines. Export to your calendar.

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Validated2026-04-08

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Load example vaccination calendar data to see the full workflow

Horse Information

Age category

Calendar start date

Risk factors (select all that apply)

Vaccination Calendar (12 months)

Enter a start date to generate the vaccination calendar.

Based on AAEP Vaccination Guidelines (2024 revision). Core vaccines recommended for all horses annually. Risk-based vaccines added per exposure risk. Always consult your veterinarian for a personalized vaccination program.

How It Works

Select your horse’s age category, check any applicable risk factors, and enter a start date. The tool builds a 12-month vaccination calendar. Core vaccines for all horses (annual, spring): Tetanus Toxoid, Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE), Western Equine Encephalomyelitis (WEE), West Nile Virus (WNV), and Rabies. Risk-based vaccines are added when you select applicable risk factors: Travel/Show triggers Influenza, EHV-1/4, and Strangles; Breeding triggers EVA and EHV-1/4; Endemic area triggers Potomac Horse Fever and Botulism; Round-bale hay triggers Botulism; Foal on premises triggers Rotavirus (given to pregnant mares). Export the calendar as CSV or ICS file for your phone/computer calendar.

AAEP Vaccine Guide

The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) classifies equine vaccines as core (recommended for all horses) and risk-based (recommended based on exposure risk). Core vaccines protect against diseases that are highly transmissible, have high morbidity/mortality, or are zoonotic (rabies), and should be given to every horse annually. Risk-based vaccines are recommended when a horse’s lifestyle or geographic location increases exposure risk: horses that travel or attend shows need influenza and EHV protection, breeding animals need EVA and enhanced EHV coverage, and horses in endemic areas need Potomac Horse Fever and/or Botulism protection. Foals require an initial vaccination series starting at 4–6 months of age, with boosters at 4-week intervals; the exact protocol varies by vaccine so work with your veterinarian. This tool generates a schedule based on general AAEP guidelines, and your veterinarian may adjust timing based on local disease prevalence and your horse’s specific health history.

Method

Core vaccines (Tetanus, EEE, WEE, WNV, Rabies) are scheduled annually in spring per AAEP guidelines. Risk-based vaccines are added when triggered by travel, show, breeding, endemic area, or foal-on-premises risk factors. Semi-annual vaccines (Influenza, EHV) are scheduled in both spring and fall. Foals receive a note to consult their veterinarian for the initial series. All computation runs locally in your browser — no data is uploaded.

Validated

Last validated 2026-04-08. Calculations are designed for planning and documentation support; verify procurement decisions against manufacturer specifications or institutional SOPs.

How to cite

How to Cite

ConductScience Team (2026). Vaccination Calendar Builder [Web application]. ConductScience. https://conductscience.com/tools/vaccination-calendar-builder

Equine Immunology Basics

Equine vaccines stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies against specific pathogens. Killed (inactivated) vaccines require boosters to maintain adequate titers, while modified-live vaccines may provide longer-lasting immunity. The equine immune response varies with age — foals have immature immune systems and rely on maternal antibodies from colostrum for the first 2–3 months. Vaccination timing must account for this passive immunity window to avoid interference. Annual boosters are essential because antibody titers decline over 6–12 months for most equine vaccines.

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