30/04/2026
You may be aware that there have been a number of cases of Equine Influenza (flu) over the past week or so in Scotland, having spread from regions further south. Though rarely fatal, it's a nasty disease, resulting in fever, coughing and nasal discharge. It will also interrupt the training and competition schedules of all horses on a yard. In the cases that have arisen this year, most are in unvaccinated horses and most occurred after a new horse arrived at a yard. The virus is airborne so spreads most easily in enclosed spaces but can also spread outside or via people/equipment.
Please take a moment to assess the current level of risk to your horse, which will depend largely on where they live and what contact they have with other horses. We offer you the following advice:
1) Keep your horse's vaccinations up to date, vaccinating against flu at least yearly. Maximum protection is achieved with 6-monthly vaccinations.
2) Isolate new arrivals to a yard for 2-3 weeks, monitoring temperatures daily. Avoid any contact between the new horse and others, bearing in mind the risk from humans and water buckets, etc!
3) Avoid unnecessary contact with other horses at training or competition events.
Remember, by vaccinating your horse, you are helping to protect all of its companions as well! Whilst the working horses are more likely to bring the disease back to the yard, the youngsters and golden oldies are more vulnerable to disease, so there is good rationale to vaccinate all horses who might meet the disease.
Please call and discuss your individual situation with us, if that would be helpful.
