Coggin’s Testing and Vaccinations

In the first couple of months of a new year, many horse owners are making arrangements to have their show and trail horses tested for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA).  In fact, folks who take their horses to any place where horses or other equine will be comingling are required to show proof of a negative Coggin’s Test.  The Coggin’s Test is the one typically used to detect whether or not a horse is carrying or is infected with EIA.  With the trail ride season starting in early March or late February, it’s a good idea to go ahead and get the negative test results ready and keep the report in a notebook that accompanies the horse(s) wherever they go.

In several counties, Cooperative Extension Agents work with local veterinarians to set up Coggin’s Clinics.  The vets agree to be at one location for part or all of a day and provide the testing service at a discount to horse owners.  These clinics work well for folks with just a few horses or folks with several horses.  Stable owners and people with a lot of horses may want to go ahead and schedule a vet visit on the farm for this service.  However, I have had folks bring two or more full trailers of horses to these clinics.

Once the negative results are received from the lab, the paperwork is good for the next 12 months, when a new Coggin’s Test will be needed.  The paperwork does get checked at shows and other events, so take care of that report.

The Coggin’s Clinic is also a good time to get any needed annual vaccinations administered to one’s horses.  The vaccinations are usually discounted a bit, saving the horse owner a few dollars. Veterinarians, Extension Agents, and others are often asked what vaccinations should be given to horses.   That answer may vary from place to place, but the most common vaccines offered to horse owners include Eastern and Western Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE & WEE – usually combined into one vaccine), Rabies, West Nile Virus, and Tetanus. 

Be aware that different vaccination schedules are recommended for different types, ages, and even the stage of production a horse may be in.   A vaccination program is part of a health program that should be developed in conjunction with a veterinarian.  To learn more about vaccines for horses, try these links;  UC-Davis Center for Equine Health and the American Association of Equine Practitioners.  Both sites have suggested vaccination schedules for:

• foals and weanlings under one year old from vaccinated mares
• foals and weanlings under one year old from unvaccinated mares
• schedules for horses over a year old
• broodmares with a vaccination history
• broodmares without a vaccination history

Within each of the groups of horses above, there is a core set of vaccines and a set of additional vaccines considered “risk-based”.  To me, core vaccines should be given according to the schedule, as the risk of contracting these diseases is constant and a horse can be infected at any time.  The risk-based vaccines should be administered if the diseases are present at a level to be of concern.

Core vaccines include the ones mentioned above, E/WEE, Rabies, West Nile Virus, Tetanus, and one that was not mentioned, Equine Herpesvirus (EHV).  The risk-based vaccines include Anthrax, Botulism, Equine Influenza, Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA), Potomac Horse Fever (PHF), Rotavirus, and Strangles. 

As with any animal health situation, horse owners should have a good client-veterinarian-patient relationship and work with the veterinarian to develop the vaccination and testing program according to the goals of the farm, how the horses are used, and what diseases may be present in the area.  Even though we may know which vaccines we want to have administered, a "once and done" vaccination for the year may not meet the need, especially for brood mares.  A veterinarian can help select the right vaccines and set up the vaccination schedule according to how the vaccine(s) should be administered.

Anyone having questions about testing for EIA or on vaccinating horses and other equines, contact a veterinarian or a local Cooperative Extension Agent.  The folks writing for this blog are also happy to help find answers to questions about horses and horse ownership.

Making sure that your horse is happy and healthy can lead to some very enjoyable times.  Credit for the photo goes to Biltmore Estate and www.romanticasheville.com.