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QHAA VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS COMING 2026

Due to our horses travelling more frequently, faster and further afield plus comingling with other horses from all over the continent, we are seeing an increase in the incidence of respiratory diseases being transmitted at horse events. Because of the increased risk and for the common good of all the horses at a competition, many equine associations are now requiring proof of vaccinations before accepting an entry. Equestrian Canada (EC) has been requiring Equine Influenza (EI, “flu”) and Equine Herpes Virus (EHV 1 & 4, also call Rhinopneumonitis or “Rhino”) vaccinations at their approved shows since 2020. The Alberta Equestrian Federation now has the same requirement as EC and the AQHA is planning to require these vaccinations at all their Championship shows by 2027.

To reduce the potential for disease to spread and avoid any serious outbreak of flu or EHV at our shows, the QHAA is planning to implement a vaccination policy. There will be a stepwise approach to the implementation with the initial focus being on our flagship show, the Canadian National Quarter Horse Show (CNQHS). This year the QHAA will strongly recommend that all horses attending the CNQHS be vaccinated for Equine Influenza and Equine Herpes Virus (1&4). In 2026, the QHAA will make it mandatory to be vaccinated to enter and/or be stabled on the show grounds. In addition, the QHAA does, of course, recommend that all horses going to all our shows throughout the year be vaccinated, but there is no plan at the present time to make it mandatory.

As a guideline for a vaccination program, the generally accepted practice in the industry is to give a primary series of 2 or 3 vaccinations then give boosters at 6 to 12-month intervals, depending on the training and show schedule. For best immunity protection at a competition, a horse should receive a booster for Equine Influenza and Equine Herpes Virus within 6 months before arriving at the event. Additionally, no horse should receive vaccination within 7 days of arrival of a competition. Please consult your veterinarian for recommendations or follow the manufacturers recommendations for a vaccination program.

Once vaccinations are mandatory, if a horse is unable to receive either of the vaccines due to medical concerns, a letter from a veterinarian on official letterhead must be provided to exempt the horse from the requirement. Also, there will be no requirement for weanlings that are too young to be vaccinated. Again, please consult your veterinarian for recommendations or follow the manufacturers recommendations on an Equine Influenza and Equine Herpes Virus (1&4) vaccination program.

In addition to a vaccination program, an equally important element in preventing the spread of infectious diseases is with good biosecurity measures. The following is a list of BEST BIOSECURITY PRACTICES to be followed at a horse show. (Admittedly, some of the recommendations are a little impractical and maybe termed extreme but they are as the term implies “best practices”.)

BIOSECURITY – BEST PRACTICES FOR ALL COMPETITORS AT HORSE SHOWS

• Stall Labels must be completed for each horse, including the horse’s name and 24-hour emergency contact information.

• Check your horse’s temperature twice a day. A normal horse temperature is between 37.2 – 38.3° C. Any temperature over 38.5° C (102° F) must be reported to the horse show office and/or horse show veterinarian.

• Do not share feed/water containers or buckets between horses and do not use communal water troughs. While filling a bucket, do not let the hose end touch the bucket or the water in a bucket.

• Sharing tack and equipment puts horses at risk and is not recommended. If tack/equipment must be used by multiple horses, be sure to clean/disinfect it between uses by different horses.

• Observe good hygiene around all horses on the grounds, and especially after handling another horse prior to touching your horse.

• Wash hands immediately with soap and water, or use disinfectant hand solution after handling horses, especially after contact with the mouth, nose or manure.

• Hand sanitizers are available. Please use them and indicate the importance of their use to your friends, family and visitors.

• All stalls have been cleaned of all manure and bedding, and disinfected prior to the show. Feel free to sanitize your assigned stall prior to bringing your horse in.

• Do not allow nose-to-nose contact between horses.

• Do not permit your horse to lick or sniff surfaces in common areas. If this does occur, please use a disinfectant wipe on the area.

• If sharing a wheelbarrow, please do not bring it into your horse’s stall. Leave it in the aisle.

• Please dispose of manure in designated areas only.

• If your horse develops a fever or signs of illness, contact the show management immediately.

• Following the competition, it is recommended that all returning horses be isolated at their home facility for at least 14 days prior to reintroduction to resident horses. If this is not possible, be sure to observe all horses carefully for 14 days.

• Following the competition, all horses should have temperatures taken twice a day for four days, and be observed for abnormal behavior and signs of cough, nasal discharge, discomfort or lameness.