💉 Vet Guide: USEF Vaccination Rules for Horses | 2025 Influenza & Herpes Protocols for Competition Compliance 🐴

By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc

If you plan to compete in **United States Equestrian Federation (USEF)** events, keeping your horse up to date on core respiratory vaccines isn’t just smart—it’s required. 🧠🐎

As of December 2015, USEF implemented **mandatory vaccination guidelines** for equine influenza and equine herpesvirus to reduce the risk of contagious outbreaks at competitions. In this 2025 guide, I’ll explain what’s required, what documentation you need, and how to handle medical exemptions. ✅📋

📅 What Vaccines Are Required?

To compete at any USEF-sanctioned event, horses must be vaccinated for:

• 💉 Equine Influenza Virus (EIV)
• 💉 Equine Herpesvirus (EHV) – Types 1 and 4

These vaccines must have been administered **within the past 6 months** prior to arriving on showgrounds. 🕒

🦠 Why These Two Diseases?

Both equine influenza and herpesvirus are **highly contagious**, especially in environments with frequent horse movement and shared airspace. 🚛🏘️

Influenza:

• 🌬️ Causes fever, nasal discharge, and coughing
• ⚠️ Can spread rapidly through barns or trailers

Herpesvirus (EHV-1 & EHV-4):

• 😷 Causes respiratory illness similar to flu
• 🤰 Can cause abortion in pregnant mares (EHV-1)
• 🧠 May lead to **neurological disease** (EHM), which has no licensed vaccine

USEF’s goal is to **reduce respiratory outbreaks**, even though neurological herpes (EHM) isn’t fully preventable by vaccination. 💡

📋 What Documentation Do You Need?

To prove vaccination, you must show one of the following: 🧾

If Vaccinated by a Veterinarian:

• 🧑‍⚕️ Vet record with:
• 📅 Date vaccine was administered
• 💉 Name/brand of vaccine used

If Vaccinated by an Owner/Agent:

• 🛍️ Receipt of the vaccine purchase
• ✍️ Signed statement from owner/agent with:
• 💉 Name of vaccine
• 🔢 Serial number and expiration date
• 📅 Date vaccine was given

Records must be kept **on file and ready for review**. Noncompliance can result in your horse being **removed from showgrounds**. 🚫

⚠️ What If Your Horse Can’t Be Vaccinated?

Horses with legitimate medical contraindications can still compete—but they must have thorough documentation: 📂

• 🩺 **Veterinary exemption letter** explaining the condition
• 🌡️ **Temperature log twice daily** for 7 days before arrival and during the event

This rule protects vulnerable horses while maintaining herd immunity. 🔐

📲 Use Ask A Vet to Manage Vaccine Compliance

The Ask A Vet app helps you stay organized and compliant before, during, and after events:

• 📱 Track vaccination dates and reminders
• 📋 Upload vet records or receipts for easy access
• 🧠 Ask about appropriate vaccine brands or titers
• 🩺 Request vet letters for exemptions and travel forms

Don’t get caught off guard on show day—come prepared. 🐴📲

✅ USEF Vaccine Rule Summary for 2025

• 💉 Must vaccinate for **influenza and herpesvirus (EHV-1/4)**
• 📆 Vaccine must be given **within 6 months** of competition
• 📋 Documentation must include **date, vaccine name, and serial number**
• 🩺 Vet letters and temperature logs are required for **exemptions**
• 📱 Use Ask A Vet to keep your paperwork and plans organized

📲 Final Thoughts from Dr Duncan Houston

Show environments are high-risk for disease transmission—and while no vaccine is perfect, timely vaccination helps reduce outbreaks that could shut down barns or events. USEF’s vaccine policy is about more than paperwork—it’s about keeping horses safer in an increasingly mobile competition world. 🧠💙

Download the Ask A Vet app for vaccination tracking, exemption forms, and health planning before your next show in 2025. 🐎📱