Whether horses travel just down the road or across the country, they are exposed to new horses and surroundings that may increase their risk for infectious diseases, says Kevin Hankins, DVM, MBA, senior technical services veterinarian for Zoetis.

Vaccination and biosecurity can help keep your horse healthy.

Before loading, ensure your horse is current on annual vaccinations for core equine diseases, which include Eastern and Western equine encephalomyelitis, rabies, tetanus, and West Nile virus, as well as additional risk-based equine diseases. It is important your horse has proper time to process vaccines and mount a good immune response, so consider vaccinating at least 30 days prior to traveling. Work with the veterinarian on your team to help determine your horse’s vaccination program.

Biosecurity also is key when transporting your horse, and could be equally as important as vaccinations, says Hankins