What vaccines do UK horses need?

Tetanus and equine influenza are the core vaccines most UK horses receive. Tetanus protects against a often-fatal soil-borne toxin. Influenza is required for many competitions and reduces outbreak risk on yards.

What is the tetanus vaccination schedule for horses?

Primary course: two injections 4–6 weeks apart, then a booster at 12 months. Thereafter boosters typically every 2–3 years if influenza is given separately — your vet confirms timing based on product used.

How often is equine influenza booster given?

Most UK schedules use a primary course (two injections 4–6 weeks apart, then 5–7 month booster), then annual boosters. Horses competing under FEI or British Equestrian rules may need six-monthly influenza boosters.

Are vaccinations recorded in the horse passport?

Yes. Your vet stamps and signs the vaccination pages. Out-of-date passports can exclude horses from competitions and complicate yard entry.

Horse Health

Horse Vaccination Schedule in the UK — Tetanus & Influenza

Published 25 June 2026Last updated 25 June 20263 min read

Quick answer

UK horses typically receive tetanus and equine influenza vaccines on a schedule set by your vet and recorded in the horse passport. Competition horses often need six-monthly influenza boosters. Start primary courses before yard mixing or event entry.

Core UK vaccines

According to BEVA and British Equestrian guidance, the two vaccines most UK owners discuss with their vet are:

Tetanus

Caused by Clostridium tetani spores in soil — enters wounds
Often fatal; prevention is far safer than treatment
Essential for all horses, including those not competing

Equine influenza (flu)

Highly contagious viral respiratory disease
Outbreaks spread rapidly on yards and at events
Vaccination reduces severity and spread; required for most regulated competitions

Other vaccines — equine herpesvirus (EHV), rotavirus (breeding yards), strangles — are situational. Discuss with your vet based on breeding, travel and yard policy.

Tetanus schedule

According to standard UK veterinary protocols (exact intervals depend on vaccine brand — follow your vet's product datasheet):

Stage	Timing
Primary dose 1	Day 0
Primary dose 2	4–6 weeks later
First booster	12 months after primary course
Ongoing boosters	Typically every 2–3 years

If a horse has an unknown vaccination history, your vet may restart a primary course or give a booster plus tetanus antitoxin after a contaminated wound — seek immediate advice for injuries in unvaccinated horses.

Equine influenza schedule

British Equestrian and most UK competition bodies follow schedules aligned with FEI rules:

Stage	Timing
Primary dose 1	Day 0
Primary dose 2	21–92 days later (typically 4–6 weeks)
Primary dose 3	150–215 days after dose 2 (5–7 months)
First annual booster	12 months after dose 3
Ongoing boosters	Every 12 months minimum

Competition horses

Horses affiliated with British Equestrian, FEI or many discipline bodies need:

Influenza boosters within 365 days of the previous flu jab
Often an additional booster within 6 months before higher-level events — check current rulebooks as requirements update

Arrive at shows with a valid passport — stewards check vaccination dates.

Combined vaccines

Many UK practices use combined tetanus-influenza products simplifying scheduling. Your vet maps primary courses and boosters so neither component lapses.

If tetanus and flu boosters fall due at different intervals, your vet may alternate or use compatible products — do not self-schedule from old internet charts.

Foals and youngstock

Foals receive immunity from colostrum, which wanes by 4–6 months. Primary courses usually start from 5–6 months of age — earlier if the mare was not vaccinated pre-foaling.

Discuss EHV vaccination for breeding stock and young horses on large yards.

Before vaccination day

According to RSPCA and BEVA guidance:

Horse should be healthy — not vaccinate during fever, acute illness or severe stress
Inform your vet of any previous vaccine reactions
Rest the horse lightly on vaccination day — mild stiffness or low-grade fever can occur
Report significant swelling, hives or collapse immediately

Record-keeping

Vaccinations must be entered in the horse passport by the administering vet:

Product name and batch number
Date and signature
Booster due dates

Lost passports should be replaced before competition season. Yard managers may require copies for livery agreement compliance.

For worm control, colic signs and daily health checks, see Horse health basics UK.

Sources & further reading

Facts in this guide are rewritten in plain English from publicly available UK advice. We name the organisation where a specific point comes from their guidance. Links below go to the original pages — use them to read the source material directly.

PETHEALTH+ is independent. These organisations do not sponsor, approve, or partner with this website. Guidance checked against sources listed below (last updated 2026-06-25).

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Frequently Asked Questions

What vaccines do UK horses need?: Tetanus and equine influenza are the core vaccines most UK horses receive. Tetanus protects against a often-fatal soil-borne toxin. Influenza is required for many competitions and reduces outbreak risk on yards.
What is the tetanus vaccination schedule for horses?: Primary course: two injections 4–6 weeks apart, then a booster at 12 months. Thereafter boosters typically every 2–3 years if influenza is given separately — your vet confirms timing based on product used.
How often is equine influenza booster given?: Most UK schedules use a primary course (two injections 4–6 weeks apart, then 5–7 month booster), then annual boosters. Horses competing under FEI or British Equestrian rules may need six-monthly influenza boosters.
Are vaccinations recorded in the horse passport?: Yes. Your vet stamps and signs the vaccination pages. Out-of-date passports can exclude horses from competitions and complicate yard entry.