Vaccination rules in France

No vaccine is made compulsary by the French state.

Vaccinations against equine influenza and Equine herpesvirus (rhinopneumonitis) are compulsary in some situations.

Even though strongly recommended due to the seriousness of the disease, vaccination against tetanus is not compulsary as it protects the individual animal, the disease is not contagious.

So… What are the obligations for vaccination, and for which horses?

Obligation to vaccinate against equine flu and EHV.

Gallop race horses (France Galop)

The regulations are those of the gallop racing code.

Vaccination protocol for equine influenza and EVH

First time vaccination should be commenced when the foal is 6 months old, and before the end of its birth year.

For horses where first time vaccination was administered before 5th May 2021 => 3 injections following the schedule below :	For horses where first time vaccination took place after 5th May 2021 (first injection or new protocol following a break in the schedule => 3 injections as indicated below:

Followed by booster injection every six months
No injection should be administered in the 4 days prior to a race.

Trotter race horses

The rules applicable are those of the trotter racing code.

Vaccination protocol for equine influenza and EVH

First time vaccination should be started in the first twelve months after the foal’s birth

For horses whose first time vaccination took place before 1st January 2021=> 3 injections according to the schedule below: :	For horses whose first time vaccination schedule began after 1st January 2021 (first jab or new protocol following a break in the schedule) => 3 injections following the schedule below :

Followed by booster injections recommended every six months (and at least yearly).
No injection should be administered in the 4 days prior to a race.

Horses taking part in events organised under SHF rules (breeding showing and competitions).

The rules are notified in SHF news and in SHF regulations.

Protocol for EHV (rhinopneumonitis)

First time vaccination follows the protocol below :

For horses where first time vaccination took place before 1st January 2022 => 2 injections following the schedule below:	For horses where first time vaccination took place after 1st January 2022=> 3 injections following the schedule below

Subsequently, booster jabs preferably every 6 months (one year maximum) after the last vaccine.

Protocol for Equine influenza

First time vaccination should be carried out as follows :

For horses where first time vaccination took place before 1st January 2022 => 3 injections following the schedule below :	For horses where first time vaccination took place after 1st January 2022=> 3 injections following the schedule below:

Subsequent yearly booster jabs.

As from the 1st January 2022, a horse will be required to have received at least two of the three jabs in the first time injection protocol. The last injection should not take place within the 7 days prior to the 1st day of the competition.

Stud horses

Category of horse concerned

Rule Book

Stallions used for artificial insemination

Decree dated 4th November 2010

Stallions used in hand breeding to produce TB, AQPS (part TB), TF, SF , Arabian, DSA, AA, half bred AA, PFS, New Forest pony, Welsh pony, Connemara, Corsican horse, CSAN, Merens and Shagya horses

Rules from the different stud books

Mares covered by a TB, AQPS, TF stallion

Rules from the différent stud book

Mares covered by an Arab or AA stallion

If following the voluntary protocol

Vaccination protocol for Equine influenza and EHV, except for TB and AQPS breeding.

3 injections in the first time vaccination, following the schedule below :

Followed by yearly booster jabs

Vaccination protocol for equine influenza and EHV for TB and AQPS breeding horses (mares and stallions)

3 injections in the first time vaccination, following the schedule below :

Followed by booster jabs every six months.

Obligation to vaccinate against equine influenza only

Horses taking part in FEI competitions

FEI rules apply.

Vaccination protocol

3 injections in the first time vaccination, following the schedule below :

The V3 jab is not required for animals having had their first time injection before 2005, and with no subsequent breaks in the protocol.

Followed by yearly booster jabs, which should be administered no longer than 6 months (+21 days) before taking part in a competition.
No injection should be administered in the 7 days prior to a competition.

Horses taking part in FFE competitions

FFE rules apply.

Protocole vaccinal

3 injections in the first time vaccination, following the schedule below :

V3 is not required for horses having had their first time injections prior to 2013 with no breaks in the schedule.

Subsequent yearly booster jab.
No injection should be administered in the 7 days prior to a competition.

Horses taking part in SFET (French Working horse Society)

SFET rules apply.

Vaccination protocol

3 injections in the first time vaccination, following the schedule below :

V3 is not required for horses born before 2019.

Subsequent yearly booster jabs.

Other specific cases

Category of horse concerned

Rule book

Horses taking part in equestrian events where the departmnetal authorities have rendered vaccination against equine influenza mandatory.

Prefectoral decree => request information from your local DDPP

Stallions used for hand or pasture breeding to produce Breton horses

Breton stud-book rules

Mares covered by a stallion producing SF or AA horses

Stud book rules

Vaccination protocol

Depends on the leaflet provided with the vaccine :

3 injections in the first time vaccination, following the schedule below:

Subsequent yearly booster jabs.

Mandatory vaccination against EHV only

Stud horses

Category of horse concerned	Rull book
Stallions used in hand and pasture breeding to produce Castillon horses	Stud-book rules

Vaccination protocol

3 injections in the first time vaccination, following the schedule below :

Subsequent yearly booster jabs.

Vigilance points

To comply to rules, these injections should be carried out by your veterinarian, and recorded in the horse’s identification document, with stickers, the date, and the practitionner’s signature and stamp.

A manager in a livery stable, a stud farm or an insemination center can decide to render vaccination mandatory in his establishment so as to protect the horses in his stable.

Vaccination may also become mandatory in some specific situations : to subscribe to an insurance policy (more specifically tetanus), or for the export of horses to other countries (more specifically equine influenza).

Remember

Vaccinating horses against equine influenza and EHV (rhinopneumonitis) is essential to limit the appearance of epidemeics, but they are only compulsary for stud horses or to take part in equestrian events.

Vaccinating against tetanus is paramount as it is a deadly disease. It is however not compulsary, as it is not a contagious disease.

Vaccination rules in France

Vaccination is an essential preventative act with regard to infectious equine diseases. This fact sheet overviews the current regulations regarding mandatory vaccination in France.