With the show season nearly in full swing, make sure that you and your horse are fully prepared for the travels ahead.

Question: How soon can I transport my horse after she has been vaccinated?

Answer: I would suggest waiting a couple (48 hours) of days after a round of immunizations, especially if you use modified live vaccines, which are the best in my opinion, such as for strangles (Streptococcus equi) Pinnacle intra nasal and the influenza A Flu-Avert intranasal vaccine. The horse actually gets a good immune boost with these vaccines, stimulating both humoral (antibody response) and cell mediated responses (macrophages, monocytes and lymphocytes). It takes about 10 to 14 days to complete the anamnestic immune response from the vaccines, which means your horse is at peak immunity.

Question: A lady I know sent an email to us warning of the dangers of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1). This is the first I've heard of it. Is it something that we should definetly pursue since we travel all over the state to ride trails and stay in horse camps?

Answer: There are several herpes viruses that affect horses. The most common are:
1). Equine Rhinopneumonitis or Equine Abortion Virus is caused by Equine Herpes Virus 1 (EHV-1) and is ubiquitous among horses;
2) Equine Herpes Virus 2 (EHV-2) is ubiquitous in equine respiratory mucosa with questionable pathological significance;
3) Equine coital exanthema is caused by Equine Herpes Virus 3 is an acute disease without systemic disease seen as red papules on the vagina;
4) Equine Herpes Virus 4 (EHV- 4) is ubiquitous among horses and can be a mild acute febrile illness to severe with neurologic signs including paralysis.
Yearly vaccination with Equine Herpes Viruses 1 and 4 are recommended for horses in transit and in close association (noses touching) with other traveling horses. Pregnant mares are vaccinated with Fort Dodge Pneumobort-K at 5,7 and 9 months of gestation for the prevention of abortion only. Please consult your regular veterinarian for the frequency of EHV-1,4 immunizations customized to your travel plans.

Question: When I travel to shows with my horse he is usually stabled for a few days on the show premises. How much should I worry about the stalls being infected with a communicable disease? What can I do to prevent him from getting sick?

Answer: The key points to remember on keeping your horse healthy on traveling to shows are the same points you would perform at home:
1) Clean stall with ample bedding;
2) Clean water bucket with plenty of fresh potable (fit for human consumption) water;
3) Regular diet of high quality hay and whatever portion of a complete feed your horse is on;
4) Safe stall with no exposed nails, wires or boards to get injured;
5) Immunize annually for strangles (Pinnacle-intra-nasal vaccine), influenza and equine herpes-4 two to four times a year depending on how often you travel abroad.
Consult with your local veterinarian to set up a program of immunity you both are comfortable with.

Question: Can you recommend the ideal contents for a travel emergency kit?

Answer: Your excellent question makes you the best planner! Every trail rider or horse hauler should have an emergency pack on hand. I would suggest the following:
1) Flunixin meglumine bottle or paste formulation: using the label dosage of 50 mg/1 cc for every 100 pounds of body weight given intravenously, intramuscularly or orally if paste. Good for that sudden belly ache or high fever.
2) Phenylbutazone paste (12 gram tube): labeled dosage at 1 to 2 grams per 500 pounds of body weight orally. Good for that tender footed horse after a very long trail ride on hard ground.
3) Acepromazine maleate is also good to have handy if somebody's horse gets nervous. Dose at 1 to 5 ml per 1000-1200 pound horse IV, IM or orally and is most effective if used before the horse gets excited.
4) Standing clean to sterile leg bandage for that emergency leg laceration with some brown gauze and/or stretchy bandaging material.
5) Consulting your own private practitioner when away from home is a suggestion if applicable and you can get cell phone coverage for extra advice and consultation when away from home with a challenging situation.
6) A handful of 12 cc syringes and 18 gauge 1.5 inch needles.
7) A large animal Thermometer for that quick health assessment.
First aid kits can be simple or elaborate, but there are some essential items that you will also need to keep in mind. You may also find additional information by reading AAEP's health brochure: Guidelines to Follow During Equine Emergencies. This brochure may be found on-line in the Health Articles section under First Aid/Emergency Care section of www.aaep.org/horseowner.

Reprinted with permission from AAEP. To view the entire article please visit www.aaep.org/ask_the_vet.php