14/05/2026
With equine flu cases currently on the rise across the UK, now is the time to make sure you’re doing everything possible to protect your horse ⚠️
Both vaccinated and unvaccinated horses look sick (off food, swollen glandslook like "sad dragons")
Equine Influenza is a highly contagious respiratory virus that can spread rapidly between horses through coughing, direct contact, contaminated equipment, clothing and horse movement between yards. Recent reports have shown a marked increase in outbreaks across multiple counties in England.
Here are our top tips to help protect your horse this spring:
✅ Ensure your horse’s flu vaccinations are up to date
➡️ Horses vaccinated within the last 6 months have been shown to have the best protection against current circulating strains.
✅ Monitor your horse closely for signs including:
- Coughing
- Nasal discharge
- Fever
- Lethargy
- Reduced performance
✅ Isolate any horse showing symptoms immediately and contact your vet
✅ Avoid sharing buckets, tack or grooming equipment between horses
✅ Practice good yard biosecurity, especially with new arrivals or horses returning from competitions
✅ Consider taking temperatures daily during higher risk periods
Even vaccinated horses can occasionally catch flu, but vaccination significantly reduces the severity of disease and helps limit spread. (codes.hblb.org.uk)
If you are unsure when your horse’s last flu vaccination was given, please contact us on 01782 898102 to check your records and discuss the best vaccination schedule for your horse.
Stay vigilant, protect your horses, and help protect the wider equestrian community
