Talk with your veterinarian about your horse’s unique disease risk factors and other core health needs. Your horse could be missing out on much-needed disease protection. | Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt/The Horse

Winter’s end isn’t too far away, which means it might be time to start planning your horse’s spring wellness examination and vaccinations. Plan to use that opportunity to discuss with your veterinarian any events that could impact your horse’s well-being, and use the opportunity to expand your equine wellness knowledge.

Talk with your veterinarian about your horse’s unique disease risk factors and other core health needs. Your horse could be missing out on much-needed disease protection. Help ensure his health by vaccinating him annually against the five core equine diseases: Eastern and Western equine encephalomyelitis, rabies, tetanus, and West Nile virus. Your horse might also benefit from additional risk-based vaccines. Evaluate his needs by covering these six key points with your veterinarian:

1. Upcoming travel: Discuss upcoming travel to determine whether there are possible disease risks prevalent in areas to which you’re traveling, as well as any event-specific health requirements. Ask also about implementing biosecurity best practices