23/10/2026
𝗧𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗨𝗦 𝗩𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗜𝗡 𝗛𝗢𝗥𝗦𝗘𝗦 – the 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘃𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 for horses in New Zealand.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘂𝘀?
Tetanus is a life-threatening disease caused by Clostridium tetani bacteria (found in the soil and the environment).
𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘂𝘀?
The bacteria can enter the body through any break in the skin: from obvious exposure such as large wounds or punctures to less obvious entry points such as small scrapes, dental infections, and foot abscesses.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘂𝘀?
Signs include muscle stiffness, difficulty walking, a rigid or extended tail, third eyelid protrusion and difficulty swallowing. In severe cases, horses may develop muscle spasms and become unable to stand.
𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁:
Vaccination is highly effective at providing protection. Keeping your horse's tetanus vaccinations up to date is essential.
𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲:
• Tetanus antitoxin (TAT): Short term immediate protection when there is a known risk event (eg horse is found with a wound) and the horse is not vaccinated or is not up to date on vaccines. Protection only lasts 2-3 weeks.
• Tetanus toxoid: The “classic” tetanus vaccine – Provides long term protection.
• Not immediately effective – it will not provide protection until 2-3 weeks after administration, as the immune system requires time to create antibodies (which provide immunity).
• Requires multiple injections to provide long term immunity: 1st injection, followed by a booster 4-6 weeks later, followed by another booster 1 year later. After the starter course, boosters can be given every 3-5 years.
• In the even of a possible exposure (eg a wound), any horse who’s last booster was >6 months ago should have a booster administered.
𝗗𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄?
Some horses (eg unvaccinated horses with a risk event such as a wound) are given both TAT and Tetanus Toxoid: the TAT provides short term coverage while the immune system responds to the tetanus toxoid vaccine to create long term protection.
Not sure of your horses vaccine history or when they are next due? Get in touch with our team to 𝗲𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱!
