Spring horse prep is getting more individualized

Spring is bringing the usual reset for equine preventive care, and recent guidance from The Horse underscores that the season is less about one big change than a coordinated checklist: physical and dental exams, risk-based vaccination updates, parasite control, nutrition review, and a gradual return to pasture and work. The companion show-season coverage adds another layer for performance horses, emphasizing conditioning plans and lameness surveillance before competition ramps up. A newer nutrition-focused discussion from equine nutritionist Kelly Vineyard, PhD, also highlights a familiar spring risk: pasture sugars can rise quickly, making metabolic horses and ponies especially vulnerable during turnout transitions. (thehorse.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, this is a reminder that spring wellness visits are still one of the best opportunities to catch preventable problems early and tailor care to each horse’s use, geography, and risk profile. AAEP says there is no one-size-fits-all vaccination program, and its current guidance stresses core plus risk-based decisions rather than blanket schedules. On parasite control, the association’s updated 2024 guidelines recommend annual fecal egg count reduction testing to confirm dewormer efficacy, reflecting the industry’s continued move away from routine calendar deworming alone. For horses heading to competitions, vaccination records and travel paperwork also matter operationally: USEF requires equine influenza and equine herpesvirus vaccination within six months before arrival at licensed competitions, and many events and interstate moves also require current Coggins documentation and health certificates. (aaep.org)

What to watch: Expect continued emphasis this spring on individualized parasite plans, careful pasture introduction for horses at risk of laminitis or metabolic disease, and tighter biosecurity and documentation checks as show and travel season accelerates. (aaep.org)