Vaccinations Requirements
Vaccines, Administration and Certification
Infectious Disease

Horses competing in many competitions not only nationally, but also internationally, must meet certain health requirements, not just for their own welfare, but also to prevent the spread of certain diseases to other horses.

This page tells you what is required at FEI events, however as the health and disease status of horses is also a national and government responsibility, there may be many different requirements depending in which country you wish to compete, so always check with your National Federation, show organizer, and government veterinary authorities for the latest requirements if you have any doubts. Most countries have specific requirements before you can import a horse into them, even for a short time. Always be clear and check before you set off. Failure to be aware of the relevant import and export requirements can be a very expensive and disappointing experience if the regulations are not complied with.

Vaccinations Requirements ¦ Return to top

Currently only one type of vaccination against Equine Influenza is required to compete at FEI events. In certain parts of the world, the local disease situation requires that other vaccinations are necessary against other diseases; please consult your local veterinarian for the most appropriate vaccination plan for your circumstances.

Equine Influenza 

Please see the summary provided below regarding Equine Influenza Vaccination requirements; full details can be found in the latest version of the FEI Veterinary Regulations. 

Since 1 January 2005, all horses competing in FEI competitions require an influenza vaccination within six months + 21 days of the competition.

1.  All horses intending to participate in FEI competition must have at least received: 

•          - a primary course of two vaccinations, given between 21 and 92 days apart
•          - a third dose (the first booster) must be given within 7 ccalender months after the date of administration of the second primary dose
•          - at least annual boosters given subsequently (i.e. within 365 days of the last dose)
•  

2.  If the horse is scheduled to take part in an FEI competition, the last booster must have been given within 6 calendar months + 21 days of arrival at the FEI event. (The 21-day window has been provided to enable vaccination requirements to fit in with the competition schedule.)

3.  No vaccination within 7 days of arrival at the FEI event

NOTE: any horses certified as correctly vaccinated under the FEI equine influenza vaccination rule prior to 1 January 2005 are not required to start a primary course again, provided they have complied with the previous primary course requirements and annual re-vaccinations. The requirement for a booster vaccination within 6 calendar months + 21 days of the day of arrival at the FEI event is effective.

Vaccines, Administration and Certification ¦ Return to top

- All proprietary equine influenza vaccines are acceptable to the FEI, irrespective of the route of administration.
- All vaccines must be administered by a Veterinarian.
- The vaccination should be administered according to the manufacturer’s instructions (i.e. intramuscular injection or intranasal).
- The details of the vaccine, serial/batch number, the date and route of administration must be recorded in the FEI passport.
- Where vaccination details are to be entered into new FEI passports/recognition cards or duplicates, if the vaccination history of the horse is very long, the Veterinarian who completes the descriptive page of the passport/recognition card may use a specific statement to certify that the vaccinations have been administered in accordance with FEI regulations (for an extract of the wording see 2013 Veterinary Regulations, Article 1028, part III, paragraph 8.).

Infectious Disease ¦ Return to top

No horse should compete if it has a clearly transmissible disease. Competition venues should be a clean and safe environment, and never the source of infections for other horses. Veterinary inspections at FEI events try to ensure this, but if you are not certain, then consult your veterinary advisers early. If you arrive at an FEI event and your horse is an infection risk to any other horses, then you must expect not to be allowed to compete for the benefit and protection of others.

For  the latest information on the status of equine disease in your country consult your government animal health website, or the World Animal Health Organization at www.oie.int.