How to Prevent a Horse From Contracting Rabies

Rabies can be fatal to your horse. It's also transferable from horse to humans, through the horse’s saliva.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Vaccinate your horse. This is your first line of defense of against rabies. Your horse will need a new vaccination each year. The best time to vaccinate your horse for rabies is in early spring.

2. Check with your state's guidelines about rabies vaccinations. It’s cheaper to give your horse a rabies vaccination yourself, but most states require that a veterinarian give the vaccination to your horse. This is so there is a record of the vaccination in case your horse bites someone.

3. Make sure all of your dogs and barn cats are vaccinated for rabies.

4. Keep all of your grain and pet food locked in pet-proof containers. This will discourage rodents such as possums and raccoons that are carriers of rabies from entering your barn and possibly biting your horse.

5. Keep your hands out of your horse’s mouth if you notice that they’ve been bitten.

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