PHOTO: Rachel Flaherty, DVM administers annual vaccines to Andy at Riding To The Top. (Submitted photo)
WINDHAM – Just like humans, horses benefit from receiving vaccinations. Annual shots help keep horses healthy and protect them against a host of diseases including flu, pneumonia and rabies among others.
Every spring, Rachel Flaherty, DVM, of Back Cove Equine Veterinary Care, visits Riding To The Top to administer vaccines and do annual exams for RTT’s herd. This year, thanks to a connection at the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, RTT received donated core vaccines from Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, a vaccine manufacturer.
Anita Motion, TRF board member said, “We are so pleased to have played a part in extending Boehringer Ingelheim’s gesture beyond our herd of 500 to thousands of other deserving horses in the care of charities across the United States.”
Steve Boren, vice president of the U.S. Livestock and Equine businesses at Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, said, “We are honored to support an organization that makes a difference in the lives of horses. As a global leader in equine health, Boehringer Ingelheim is committed to equine research and giving back to help communities understand, diagnose and prevent disease.”
The vaccines received by Riding To The Top are valued at $700 and will help to offset RTT’s herd costs, which average $5,000 per horse annually.
RTT Executive Director, Sarah Bronson said, “Donations toward the cost of caring for the herd are so helpful, especially now as the pandemic has continued to significantly impact our program and special events revenue, which typically help to cover some of these costs. Our deepest thanks to the TRF for making the connection and to BI Animal Health for this generous donation of vaccines.”
