Protection from equine flu deteriorates rapidly, and flu is spread from horse to horse by nasal secretions, coughing and sneezing. If you rarely leave your farm and your horses are not in contact with others, you may be able to vaccinate yearly. However, consider yourself a potential transmitter of the disease. Even in your horses do not leave the barn, if you come into contact with outside horses at shows, trail rides and other events, you can bring the virus back and infect your horse. Rabies vaccination should be done yearly, and because this is a very inexpensive vaccine against a 100-percent fatal disease, there is no reason not to vaccinate.
Horses develop a very high fever and diarrhea, then founder.
Many horses died in the initial outbreak. A vaccine has been developed, and the number of reported cases has dropped dramatically. However, cases have been reported beyond the original outbreak area. Current recommendations vary, so check with your veterinarian about the risk factors. Horses that are traveling a lot and showing in a number of areas, as well as horses in the at-risk parts of Maryland and Virginia, should be vaccinated.