Guide

Horse vaccination schedule in Switzerland: structure and administration

5 min read

A horse vaccination schedule is more than an appointment calendar. It is a medical decision that has to match the horse's age, use and regional risks. This guide shows the structural elements of a schedule and how a sharer can support it without making medical recommendations.

Why this guide stays structural

The actual vaccination schedule for a specific horse is a medical decision. It depends on age, use (sport, leisure, breeding), regional disease risks, history and possibly other requirements (for example competition rules).

This guide therefore only shows the structural aspects: which fields belong in a vaccination schedule document, where it is documented, what role the sharer plays. Specific vaccination schemes, dosages or recommendations on certain vaccinations come exclusively from the vet.

The Society of Swiss Veterinarians (GST) and the SVPM are the Swiss specialist bodies that publish regularly updated professional guidance on horse vaccination.

The structural fields of a vaccination schedule

A well-documented schedule contains at least these seven fields per entry.

  • Horse. Name, call name, TVD number and passport ID. With several horses at the stable, clear assignment prevents mix-ups.
  • Vet. Name and practice ID of the vaccinating vet. Important for follow-up questions and subsequent dates.
  • Vaccination. Specific name (for example as the disease vaccinated against). The vet fills this field.
  • Date of administration. Day, month, year. Ideally also the time if several appointments fall on the same day.
  • Batch number. Important for complaints or recalls.
  • Next booster date. Calculated by the vet according to the scheme that applies for this vaccination.
  • Notes. Any reaction at the injection site, behaviour afterwards, indications for the next vaccination.

These fields are standard in veterinary practice software and also belong in your own digital overview.

Where the vaccination schedule is documented

Multiple documentation is standard. It protects against data loss and helps in emergencies.

  • Horse passport. The official equine passport is the primary document. Vaccinations are entered here by the vet. In Switzerland the passport must be available with the horse, especially during transport.
  • Vet's practice software. The vet keeps an electronic record in parallel. It is the primary source for booster reminders.
  • Owner's own digital overview. Your own list or app overview (see HorseCompanion at the end) makes it possible to look at the past and upcoming dates at any time.
  • Written receipts. Some vets give a short receipt per vaccination. It belongs in the archive.

The sharer's role with the vaccination schedule

The sharer does not take on medical responsibility for the vaccination schedule. She can however provide valuable support.

  • Reminder of dates. Whoever is at the stable regularly and has access to a shared overview can give the owner a heads-up when dates approach.
  • Observation after vaccination. In the days after a vaccination there can be reactions: light swelling at the injection site, brief apathy, slight rise in temperature. Anything unusual should be reported to the owner and where appropriate to the vet.
  • Help during the appointment. Whoever attends the date helps with holding, preparation and a calm environment.
  • Do not move the date on your own. If the owner cannot keep the date, the vet should be contacted directly, not the date moved by the sharer.

What to do if a date is missed

A missed vaccination date is not necessarily dramatic, but it is not without consequences.

  • Inform the vet. She decides whether to catch up or rebuild.
  • Possible effects: With some vaccinations the effect wears off at too long an interval. A basic immunisation then has to be rebuilt, which takes time and money.
  • Competition and sharing consequences: Some competitions and stables require current vaccination protection. If a date is missed, taking part or being present may temporarily not be possible.

For these reasons reliable date management is part of animal-appropriate horse keeping. The BLV overview on horse keeping points out the owner's responsibility for health care.

Structural template for a vaccination overview

This template shows the structure of your own vaccination schedule overview. It does not replace the horse passport or the veterinary documentation.

Columns:

  • Date
  • Vet
  • Vaccination (name)
  • Batch number
  • Next date
  • Reaction / note

Example row (fields from the vet):

  • 2026-04-15 | Dr. X (Practice Y) | [vaccination, defined by vet] | [batch] | 2027-04-15 | No abnormalities

This overview is neutrally structured. What goes into each row is defined by the vet and the owner.

Frequently asked questions

Who creates the vaccination schedule for a horse? The vet in consultation with the owner. The schedule is a medical decision that takes age, use, regional risks and history into account.

Which fields should a vaccination schedule document contain? Horse, vet, vaccination, date, batch number, next booster date, notes.

Where is the vaccination schedule documented? In the horse passport, in the vet's practice software and ideally in the owner's own digital overview.

What role does the sharer play with the vaccination schedule? An observing role. Reminder of dates, observation after vaccination, help during the appointment. No medical decision.

What happens if a vaccination date is missed? The vet decides whether to catch up or rebuild. Some vaccinations lose their effect at too long intervals.

Sources and further information

Manage the vaccination schedule digitally

In HorseCompanion the vaccination schedule can be managed digitally per horse, with date, next appointment and reaction notes. Reminders for upcoming dates help you stay on top of the routine. Start for free

Updated: June 2026