Vaccinations are one of the simplest, cheapest and most effective things you can do to protect your pony's health. A single tetanus infection can kill a pony that a £40 injection would have saved. Flu outbreaks sweep through yards and competitions every year, and a pony that is not vaccinated cannot attend Pony Club, most livery yards or any equestrian venue. Here is a clear guide to what your pony needs, when, and why it matters.
The two core vaccinations
Tetanus
Tetanus is caused by a bacterium (Clostridium tetani) that lives in soil and horse droppings. It enters the body through wounds — even tiny ones you do not notice — and produces a toxin that attacks the nervous system, causing muscle stiffness, spasms, and usually death. Ponies are more susceptible to tetanus than almost any other animal. The disease is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, but it is entirely preventable with vaccination. Every pony should be vaccinated against tetanus — no exceptions.
Equine influenza (flu)
Flu is a highly contagious viral respiratory disease. It spreads rapidly through yards via coughing, shared equipment and human hands. Symptoms include fever, nasal discharge, coughing, lethargy and loss of appetite. While rarely fatal in healthy adult ponies, it can be severe in foals and elderly ponies, and it takes weeks to recover. Most livery yards, competition venues, Pony Club branches and equestrian events require proof of flu vaccination before entry.
The vaccination schedule
For a pony that has never been vaccinated (or whose history is unknown), the initial course is:
| Injection | Timing | What |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Day 0 | Primary vaccination (flu + tetanus combined) |
| 2nd | 21–92 days later (usually 4 weeks) | Second vaccination |
| 3rd | 150–215 days after 2nd (usually 5–6 months) | First booster — completes the primary course |
| Annual | Every 12 months after 3rd | Annual booster |
For competitions under FEI rules, the rules are stricter: boosters must be within 12 months and no vaccination in the 7 days before a competition. Always check the specific requirements of your venue or governing body.
If your pony's booster is even one day overdue, some venues will require you to restart the primary course. Set reminders well in advance — this is one of the most common reasons families are turned away from Pony Club events.
What about equine herpes virus (EHV)?
Equine herpes virus has several strains, but the two that matter most are EHV-1 and EHV-4. EHV-1 can cause respiratory disease, abortion in pregnant mares, and a rare but devastating neurological form. EHV-4 mainly causes respiratory disease. Vaccination against EHV is available and recommended for:
- Pregnant broodmares (to prevent abortion storms)
- Competition ponies that travel frequently and mix with others
- Ponies on yards with a history of EHV
For most family ponies on a single yard that do not travel to competitions, EHV vaccination is not routinely necessary. Discuss with your vet if you are unsure.
What it costs
- Initial course (3 injections): typically £150–£250 total, depending on your vet's pricing and call-out fees.
- Annual booster: £80–£120, often combined with a yard visit or vaccination clinic to reduce call-out costs.
- Some vets offer a "vaccination plan" or "health scheme" — a monthly fee that includes annual vaccinations, dental checks and other routine care, which can be cost-effective.
Compared to the cost of treating tetanus (thousands of pounds, with a poor prognosis) or a flu outbreak (weeks of isolation, vet visits and lost competition time), vaccination is one of the best value investments in pony ownership. See our full breakdown of what a first pony really costs.
How vaccinations are recorded
Vaccinations must be administered by a veterinary surgeon (not a nurse or owner) and recorded in your pony's passport. The vet will write the date, vaccine brand, batch number and their signature in the designated vaccination pages. Competition organisers and livery yards will check this record — a passport without up-to-date vaccination entries is the same as no vaccination, as far as they are concerned.
Keep your pony's passport somewhere safe and accessible. If you buy a pony, check its vaccination history in the passport before purchase — a pony with lapsed vaccinations will need to restart the primary course, which takes several months before it can compete.
Are there side effects?
Most ponies show no reaction at all. A small number may have:
- A mild, temporary swelling at the injection site
- Slight lethargy or reduced appetite for 24 hours
- A low-grade temperature
These are normal immune responses and usually resolve without treatment. Serious reactions (allergic shock) are very rare. If your pony has a severe reaction, call your vet immediately. Avoid riding or strenuous exercise for 24 hours after vaccination.
Vaccinations and Pony Club
Pony Club requires flu vaccination for attendance at rallies, camps, area competitions and championships. Your pony's passport will be checked on arrival. The rules are specific:
- The primary course must be complete (three injections at the correct intervals).
- Annual boosters must be within 12 months — no grace period.
- Some events require the most recent booster to have been given at least 7 days before the event.
Read our parent's guide to Pony Club for more on what is required.
What happens if my pony's vaccinations lapse?
If a booster is overdue, most vets and governing bodies require the pony to restart the primary course (three injections at the correct intervals). This means several months before the pony is competition-legal again. It is far easier — and cheaper — to keep on schedule. Set a calendar reminder for 10 months after each booster so you have time to book the vet before it lapses.
Next steps
- If you are buying a pony, check the vaccination history in the passport as part of your viewing checklist.
- Make sure vaccinations are in your budget — see what a first pony really costs.
- If your pony will be on livery, check the yard's vaccination policy — most require flu and tetanus as a condition of staying. Read our livery explained guide.
Two injections a year, a few pounds a month, and a passport kept up to date — that is all it takes to protect your pony from two of the most serious diseases it could face. Do not let it slip.