COURT HOUSE – The Cape May County 4-H Equine Health Clinic is back this fall to bring life-saving vaccines to horses of Cape May County.
According to a release, the Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development Program Nov. 6 is partnering with Dr. Tanja Hanyi to offer the equine clinic at discounted vaccine prices. The clinic is open to all horse and pony owners in Cape May County.
Veterinarians and clinic volunteers will go to farms and boarding stables, offering vaccinations at reduced prices to horses and without the normal farm call fee. All COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed.
The Cape May County 4-H Equine Health Clinic started over 50 years ago with two goals; one was to inoculate as many horses as possible against deadly equine diseases, and the second was to offer these vaccinations at as low a cost as possible to Cape May County’s horse owners. These two goals remain the same today.
The clinic is coordinated under the direction of 4-H volunteer Nancy Rothenbiller, with the primary purpose to booster Influenza-Rhinopneumonitis vaccines to provide disease prevention until April. Any horse that is in contact with other horses through showing or trail riding needs a booster every six months. Additionally, Rothenbiller stresses that deworming is important this time of year to prevent tapeworms and bots.
There are a number of different vaccines and vaccine packages offered to suit horses’ needs. The clinic also offers the Coggins blood test. A negative Coggins test for Equine Infectious Anemia is required annually by the NJ 4-H Horse Program and at most equine events throughout New Jersey and the nation.
Participants must pre-register. Clinic registration packets are available on the 4-H website, capemay.njaes.rutgers.edu. The deadline for registration is Oct. 30.
Those with questions are asked to call Rothenbiller, at (609) 827-3485, between 3:30-8 p.m. only.
