How Do You Prevent Tetanus In Horses?
• Understand the importance of preventing tetanus in your horse. Horses are very vulnerable when infected by the bacteria that causes tetanus, Clostridium tetani.[2] The bacteria can enter through what might seem like a harmless cut or scrape to your eyes, but is an easy entry point for the bacteria and it may well be too late to do anything by the time you realize that your horse is suffering from tetanus. • Immunize your horse regularly. Every domestic horse should be immunized against tetanus. • Vaccinate pregnant mares about 4–6 weeks prior to birth with tetanus toxoid. This will pass the immunity on to the foals via the colostrum. Doing so will protect foals for the first 2–3 months of their life.[3] • The initial vaccination for foals from a vaccinated mare should be given in a course of 3 vaccinations: the first vaccination for tetanus at 6 months of age, followed by booster vaccinations at 7 and 8 to 9 months of age.[4] • The initial vaccination for foals from non-vaccinated ma
