by Boehringer Ingelheim / May 17, 2024

The costs associated with feeding your horse, routine farrier visits, veterinary care and all of the necessary equipment for horse and rider can add up quickly. Depending on your goals and interests, there may be additional costs, such as taking lessons, trail-riding park fees, horse show entry fees, maintaining a truck and trailer, and fuel cost. It’s not uncommon for horse owners to look for ways to reduce their out-of-pocket expenses and make their hobby more affordable. While horse owners may consider skipping vaccinations as a way to capture short-term savings, veterinarians warn this risky practice can result in even more costs down the line. 

The Cost of Preventable Disease

“Vaccinating your horses and sticking to a vaccination schedule is really the best way to save money in the long run,” explained Scott Hancock, DVM, Professional Services Veterinarian at Boehringer Ingelheim. “When you think about how much money is spent on these horses, why cut corners on vaccinations?” 

A horse that isn’t vaccinated is at a higher risk of contracting a preventable disease, such as equine influenza, West Nile virus, eastern equine encephalitis and more. The cost to vaccinate your horse against these diseases, while it can vary regionally, can be roughly estimated to be under $200 twice per year, depending on what vaccines are recommended and the horse's vaccination plan. If a horse contracts a preventable disease, treatment can range anywhere from $500 to upward of $2,500, depending on which disease is being treated and the severity of the clinical signs.

Diagnostics and Treatment Costs

When a horse contracts a preventable disease, it may look something like this: The horse begins exhibiting clinical signs and receives an examination from a veterinarian. The examination, plus laboratory testing, may confirm what disease is causing the clinical signs. Depending on the disease, the horse may need to be quarantined away from other horses on the property, or trailered to a veterinary clinic for treatment and observation.  

“Typically, treatment will include palliative specialized care, with the main goal of keeping the horse comfortable as the disease runs its course,” said Dr. Hancock. “In an optimal situation, and depending on which specific disease we’re talking about, it would take the horse 10 to 21 days to recover.” 

If a horse contracts a disease prior to or during a horse show or event, you may also lose entry fees and valuable experiences, in addition to the cost of medical care.

“All of that money goes down the drain if your horse gets sick and can’t go to the horse show, or arrives at the show grounds only to get exposed to one of the ‘daycare’ respiratory bugs, such as influenza or herpes,” stressed Dr. Hancock. “Add in the heartbreak of not being able to compete, the risk of the horse possibly infecting other horses, and the cost of veterinary treatment, and you’re looking at a huge loss.” 

Even Greater Risks

Some diseases, such as Eastern equine encephalitis, have a very poor prognosis for recovery. “To see a horse that’s dying of encephalitis because they weren’t vaccinated, knowing it may have been prevented, is very difficult to accept,” said Dr. Hancock. Diseases such as West Nile may respond to treatment, but may have residual neurological issues that could also have been prevented with appropriate vaccination.  

When you develop a vaccination schedule with your veterinarian that fits your horse’s needs, vaccination can be very effective in protecting your horse against preventable diseases. On the whole, vaccinating your horse has far more benefits than there are risks, both for your horse and peace of mind.

“There is no reason not to utilize the science of immunology to protect our horses, especially against diseases that are often terminal,” concluded Dr. Hancock. “Work with your local veterinarian to determine which vaccinations are appropriate for your horse, and develop a strategic vaccination schedule.”  

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