Beginning Dec. 1, all horses entering the grounds of a USEF-licensed competition must be accompanied by documentation of equine influenza virus and equine herpesvirus (EHV, also known as rhinopneumonitis) vaccinations within six months prior to entering the stables.
Intended to promote proper vaccination protocols, this rule does not anticipate an increased workload for competition management. The flu vaccination information can be added to the documentation already required by most competitions: a horse’s health certificate and a negative coggins test.
If you have questions regarding GR845 please contact the USEF Drugs & Medications department at[email protected] or 800-633-2472.
DR. RAMEY NOTES: I don’t think that this is necessarily a bad idea, although no vaccine can prevent the disease that everyone is worried about (EHV-1). If you’re really worried about it, perhaps my article about EHV-1 will help calm your fears. Oh, and don’t worry about “over-vaccinating” your horse, either. That’s just an unwarranted concern. Regardless, they’ve written the rule so just about everybody can figure out a way to comply.