Horse Passport and vaccinations Flashcards
The passport is a document that :
- Describes the animal for example by breed, colour, species
- Lists all vaccinations
- Names the registered owner
A horse passport should be provided when:
- When the animal is examined or treated by a vet
- When an animal health inspector or other enforcement officer requests to see it
- When the horse is sold or given to a new owner.
WHo needs a passport?
- Horses, ponies, donkeys and related animals (including
zoo species like zebras) must have an equine passport
Exceptions: semi-wild ponies in Dartmoor,
Exmoor, the New Forest or Wicken Fen only
need a passport if they are not free to roam in
these areas or if they are treated by a vet
When do passport rqs apply?
» A passport must have been issued before the animal reaches 12
months of age.
» Owner needs to send application by 30th November of the animal’s
year of birth or within 6 months of birth (whichever is later)
How is passport obtained?
» Passports are obtained from a Passport Issuing Organisation (PIO).
* Over 80 PIO in the UK
* Can be breed association or stud book if pedigree
» Horse passports are lifelong and don’t have to be renewed unless lost
or stolen.
» It is illegal to have more than one passport for a horse
What needs to be certified by vet surgeon?
Individual horse identification
What does horse indentification involve?
- Age (estimated by dentition if not known)
- Breed
- Height
- Body Colour
- Natural markings
- White hair
- Hair whorls
- Muscle deviations (‘Prophet’s Thumb Mark’)
- Acquired markings
- Scars, white hair etc
- Microchip number
- Brands
What different ‘colour’s are there?
How do we put down the markings?
» White body marking must be accurately drawn and hatched in red pen and
described in lay terms.
» Flesh marks solid red.
» Typically ≥5 distinguishing characteristics required for each horse.
Describe whorls and feathering
Hair whorls and feathering patterns are uniquely placed and must be noted with a cross for whorls
and a line for feathering
Commonly:
* Forehead
* Crest
* Ventral neck
* Chest
* Flanks
* Can be other places
How to show other identifying marks?
» Permanent brands and acquired scars are also important
identifiers
» Microchip numbers should also be noted on the passport
» M to mark location of chip
* Within the nuchal ligament in the left crest
Describe Donkey passports?
» Different list of acceptable colours for Donkey Breed Society.
» Muzzle and ears often a different colour to body so should be
described
» Presence or absence of a dorsal stripe and/or a shoulder
cross should be noted.
» Donkeys often have Prophet’s Thumb Marks but this may be
either visualised as a depression or a black spot near the
jugular groove.
describe passport change of ownership
» Passport should be re-registered in the new owner’s name within 30 days of
purchase.
» Usually a fee for this update and the passport usually needs to be returns to the
PIO for this update.
Passport updates: castration
If the horse has been castrated since the passport was issued, a vet needs to confirm this and the passport requires an update by returning it to the PIO.
Passport & food status (outside of it) ?
» Horses are considered food producing animals unless they are signed out of the
food chain in their Horse Passport
* Prior to 2016 - Section IX
* Post 2016- Section II
» If the horse is signed out of the food chain, there is no need to keep a record of
medicines administered in the passport.
» Once the horse is signed out of the food chain, this cannot be reversed.
» The declaration should be signed by the Owner and they should update the PIO.
Passport & not signed out of food chain?
» If the horse is not signed out of the food chain, there are restrictions on the drugs
that can be administered.
» Administration of certain prohibited drugs (including Phenylbutazone) results in
permanent exclusion from the food chain.
» If the vet administers prohibited drugs, they can sign the horse out of the food chain
by necessity.
» Unless noted on the horse’s clinical record that the horse is signed out of the food
chain, the passport should be checked by the vet each time a treatment is given or
dispensed.
What does the british horse racing authority say about this?
“All horses entered to run a race in Britain must be
signed out of the human food chain via its passports
by 1st January 2022.”
DO horses need to be legally microchipped?
YES -> can be fined if not
Microchip n° should be in horse passport
What id horse has been microchipped after passport issued?
the passport needs to be updated. The
microchip number will be confirmed by a vet and the
passport sent to the PIO for the update.
What should you not do as vet?
complete a passport applications without
confirming the presence of a readable
microchip/inserting a microchip if none found
What is Overstamping?
when another organisation formally adds their credentials to an
existing horse passport.
Reasons for overstamping?
- Horse’s original passport issued by non-UK PIO
- Horse originally issued an identification only passport but subsequently realised the horse is eligible for a studbook/pedigree passport
- Part-bred horses that can be registered with 2 or more breed societies
- Horse required to compete in a specific regulated sporting event
T/F - Legal requirement to register an imported animal with a UK PIO if it staying in the UK longer than 60day
FALSE -> 30 days
What happens if death of horse?
» When a horse dies, the passport must be returned to the PIO that issued the
passport within 30days of the horse’s death.
» They will update their records and invalidate/destroy the passport.
» Owner can request for it to be returned but it will be invalidated.
What to do if lost passport?
» Contact the PIO that issued the original passport to request a duplicate or
replacement
» The horse is automatically signed out of the food chain when a duplicate or
replacement passport is issued.
» Illegal to have more than one passport per horse. Must return one to PIO
What are the two key sections of horse passport?
» Section IX/II- Declaration that horse is signed out of the Human Food Chain
» Section V- Vaccination record
Describe section IX/II - human fodo chain
- May not be present in passports of horses older than 15yrs old, these horses can never enter the
human food chain. - Passport is not valid without this section so the owner should contact the PIO and get a duplicate
passport with this declaration included. - A duplicate or replacement passport will automatically sign the horse out of the human food chain.
- A passport issued to a horse over 12 months old will automatically sign the horse out of the human
food chain. - Dictates medication choices.
Medication choices?
- Signed: No requirement to enter drugs in passport
- Unsigned: Date, drug and withdrawal MUST be entered (permitted drugs only)
- Prohibited drugs – horse cannot enter food chain
Section V?
All vaccinations should be recorded in a horse passport.
What is a certificate ?
A certificate is a written statement made with authority; the authority in this case
coming from the veterinarian’s professional status.
What certificates might vets have to sign?
- Equine passports
- Fitness to travel certificates
- Pre-purchase examination (PPE) certificates etc.
Principle of certification 1?
Only certify matters which are within his/her own knowledge, can be
ascertained by him/her personally, are the subject of supporting evidence from
authorised vet who has personal knowledge of the matters or are the subject of
check carried out by an Officially Authorised person (OAP).
Principle of certification 2 ?
Should not issue a certificate that might raise questions of a possible conflict of
interest.
i. Can’t sign own horse’s passport following vaccination
ii. Can’t fill in own horse’s insurance claim in capacity as vet.
Principle of certification 3?
Should only sign certificates that are written in a language they understand
Principle of certification 4?
Should not certify that there has been compliance with the law of another country or
jurisdiction unless the provisions of that law are set out clearly on the certificate or
have been provided to them in writing (be the Competent Authority).
Principle of cert 5?
Should only sign original certificates.
i. Certified duplicates/copies can be provided if marked as such.
Principle of cert 6?
Ensure that:
i. Contains no deletions or alterations.
ii. No section is left incomplete.
iii. Includes not only vet’s signature but also their name, qualification, address and
official/practice stamps.
iv. Includes the date on which certificate signed and issued and where appropriate the time for
which it remains valid.
Principle of cert 7?
Should be written in simple terms which are easy to understand.
Principle of cert 8?
Should be:
i. Clear and concise.
ii. Integrated, whole and indivisible
iii. Given a unique identifier.
iv. Copied and retained with all relevant records.
Principle of cert 9?
Should not use words or phrases capable of more than one interpretation.
Principle of cert 10?
Should clearly identify the subject being certified.
Insurance documentation RCVS guidelines?
Describe BReed society regulations?
» Some equine breed associations require DNA testing before issuing a Breed society passport.
» The Owner should check with the relevant Breed association before applying for a Horse Passport.
» The PIO should provide the testing kit alongside the application form.
» DNA testing is used to check parentage of the horse against the breed database.
» Either blood sample or hair pluck (including roots)
» Hair pluck samples (30+ hairs) should be collected by a vet into a clean Ziplock bag and sent in with the passport application form.
Any horse entering th UK must have
an up-to-date horse passport
* Can be from a UK PIO or an approved body from another
country.
TO import a horse into GB what do you need?
varies depending on if coming from EU (including NI and
Norway) or non-EU:
* Health certificate
* Import licence
TO Export a horse from UK you need?
(Export Health Certificate) to be certified by an
Official Veterinarian (OV).
What equine vaccinations in UK?
» Equine influenza
» Tetanus
» Equine Herpes virus 1 & 4
» Rotavirus
» Strangles
Describe Equine influenza
» Equine Influenza is endemic in the UK
» Vaccination does not prevent the disease but reduces spread.
- Rarely fatal
Spread / outbreak & immunity for Equine Influena?
» Spreads via aerosol and via direct (horse to horse) or indirect (via equipment and handlers etc) contact.
» TellTail Disease outbreak alerts: Scheme to keep people updated with outbreaks in the UK (not just Equine Influenza).
» Herd immunity.-> Approximately only 30% of UK Equine population vaccinated
Which vaccine is the only one that matters for competition?
Equine Influenza
What is the vacc schedule rq by most competition bodies?
Horses must not have been
vaccinated within the 7 days prior to arriving at an event venue!
Then boosters not more than 365 days later
What is the earliest can give vacc & can we give it during pregnancy/ lact?
First dose at 6 months old; can be used during pregnancy and lactation
What are the NEW requirements for FEI vaccine rq?
» Any horse receiving a primary course from 1st January 2024, must be according to the aligned intervals.
What about horses that had primary course and booster before 1 jan 2024?
There is no requirement for horses that have received their primary course and first
booster before 1 January 2024, to be re-vaccinated provided that they have been
vaccinated in compliance with the 2023 Veterinary Regulations.
T/F The riding club has adopted BHA rules from 1st of Jan 2024 ?
True
How do we give Equine Influenza vaccine?
Given via intramuscular injection.
Can be given from 5-6 months of age.
Annual boosters thereafter.
No withdrawal time
What to do in an outbreak?
» Recommend to top up vaccinated horses if not received booster in
past 6 months.
Strains fo Influena?
» Different strains of virus causing outbreaks in Europe vs US.
* UK & Europe: Clade 2
* US: Clade 1
» Current OIE recommendation to use vaccine against both strains:
* Proteq Flu is top choice (Both Clade 1 & 2)
* Equilis Prequenza only Clade 1.
Describe Tetanus vaccination
» All horses and ponies should be vaccinated against tetanus.
» Usually administered alongside Equine Influenza vaccine.
» Horses that do not require Equine Influenza cover for competition may opt for
Tetanus cover alone.
What intervals for tetanus vacc?
2 years (given IM)
Earliest 6 months old & safe with preganncy
What should you admin in unvaccinated horse when they sustain a wound?
Tetanus antitoxin
What is the standard vaccination protocol in UK?
Influenza boosters q12 months
Tetanus boosters q24 months
Usually alternate in passport.
**Care when given 6 monthly boosters as
need to have tetanus cover biannually
Describe EHV 1 & 4 vacc?
» Commonly used in broodmares during pregnancy or horses travelling lots
for competition.
» Not essential in the UK.
What intervals for EHV vacc?
boosters q 6 months
When/how else do you admin EHV vacc ?
» Pregnant mares are given boosters at 5, 7 and 9 months of pregnancy.
» Can be given to foals from 5 months of age.
» Given by intramuscular injection.
Describe Rotavirus vacc?
» Given to pregnant mares to protect the foal from Rotaviral diarrhoea when born (passive immunity lasts up to 60days).
» Not essential in the UK.
» Given at 8,9 and 10 months of each pregnancy.
» Given by intramuscular injection.
Describe Strangles vacc?
» Not essential in the UK.
» Strangvac: New vaccine to the market 2021
Describe Strangvac?
- Intramuscular strangles vaccine
- Primary course: 2 injections, 4 weeks apart
- Immunity only lasts for 2 months
- Can be given from 5 months of age
When might strangles vacc. beuseful?
In face of an outbreak or if incontact with case
What to do if you make a mistake with date on certificate?
CROSS it OUT & INITIAL the mistake
Vaccination side effects?
» Transient self-limiting signs including fever, anorexia and lethargy.
» Local muscular swelling and soreness.
» Injection site abscess.
» Systemic adverse reactions such as urticaria, purpura
haemorrhagica, colic or anaphylaxis is rare
Describe injection site abscess/ location
- For these reasons, injecting into the pectoral muscles may be
preferable - Drain better if abscess or seroma formation
- If sore/stiff, won’t affect horse’s movement
What should you check before vaccinating?
That horse isn’t immunocompromised
