Vaccinations & Health Requirements

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.

Infectious disease
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

Vaccinations required
Currently only one type of vaccination is always required to compete at FEI events, and that is for equine influenza. However in certain parts of the world, the local disease situation requires that other types of vaccination are required to protect your horse. Please consult with your veterinary adviser for the best vaccination plan for your circumstances.

Equine Influenza vaccination at FEI events

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 an initial primary course of two vaccinations, given between 21 and 92 days apart. Thereafter, a third dose (referred to as the first booster) must be given within 6 months and 21 days after the date of administration of the second primary dose, with 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 shall be given within 7 days of day of arrival at the FEI event.

4.   All horses that were certified as correctly vaccinated under the previous FEI equine influenza vaccination rule prior to 1 January 2005, do not need to start a primary course again provided that they have complied with the previous rule of primary course and annual re-vaccinations and the new rule of a booster vaccination within 6 calendar months + 21 days of the day of arrival at the FEI event.

Vaccines, Administration and Certification
- 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 Veterinary Regulations, Annex XIV.I.11).