Be sure to vaccinate your horse against fatal diseases, such as West Nile virus (shown), a potentially deadly virus carried by birds and transmitted by mosquitoes.

Question: I just got my reminder card from my veterinarian saying my 15-year-old Quarter Horse mare is due for vaccinations and deworming. A dental check is also recommended for my horse. My mare has never been sick. I don’t travel with her, so she isn’t exposed to disease. I can deworm my horse, and her teeth look fine to me. Should I still get everything my vet recommends? What if I just ask him to vaccinate my mare for West Nile Virus, and forget the rest?
Terri Young
Grass Valley, California

Answer: Terri, I have two options for you; you can pick the one you think most fits your circumstances and pocketbook. First, I’d recommend having everything done that your veterinarian recommends. Everything on the list is good for your horse, will help to keep her healthy, and could reduce future medical costs.

Not all diseases you vaccinate for are fatal; however, if your horse contracts a disease you didn’t vaccinate for, you’ll find the medical cost way overshadows the cost of prevention. Compare the cost of good preventive care to your other expenses, and you’ll discover its value.

Proper dental care is also important, especially in a horse over 7 years old. If your horse doesn’t chew her feed correctly, she can become malnourished; malnutrition can lead to anemia (reduced red-blood-cell count), lack of stamina, and general discontent. You’ll also waste money on feed. It’s best to have your horse’s teeth inspected at least once a year; twice a year is better. It’ll make a big difference in your horse’s health. 

Your horse deserves to be protected against infectious diseases, and receive routine dental care and the very best nutrition.

However, an alternative would be to vaccinate your horse against fatal diseases, such as encephalitis (a viral disease affecting the brain and spinal cord), tetanus (an acute infectious disease characterized by muscle spasms, especially in the jaw), West Nile Virus (a potentially deadly virus carried by birds and transmitted by mosquitoes to susceptible species, including horses and humans), and rabies (an acute, fatal infection of the central nervous system transmitted by a bite from a rabid animal) where prevalent. Then you can take your chances with the treatable, nonfatal diseases. However, keep in mind that these diseases are highly contagious to other horses that may reside on your property. 

In terms of dental care, many horses go their entire lifetimes without tooth work and get by. They don’t get the best nutrition, but they do okay. Many develop serious problems due to tooth eruption and wear, but most dental problems can be treated, again at some expense.

So make your decision; neither is wrong.