On the Immune System: Innate Versus Acquired
With so much discussion on vaccinations and supporting the immune system, it is helpful to discuss briefly the difference between the "innate" and the "acquired" immune system. We are born with the innate immune system, which is not specific to any particular organism and is not enhanced by past exposure. It also includes barriers such as the skin and digestive tract, and the mucous barrier in the respiratory system.

The acquired immune system is the one we are concerned with when considering vaccines. The acquired immune system includes the lymph nodes, thymus gland, bone marrow, and gut-associated lymph tissue. The acquired immune system is tailored to individual pathogens and enhanced by prior exposure.

The goal of vaccination is to stimulate the acquired immune system so it will produce immunity and protect the horse from future exposure to the organism being vaccinated against. The challenge is to introduce an antigen which will stimulate immunity but not cause disease.

Thanks for reading this preview! The remainder of this section in Holistic Horsekeeping discusses three types of vaccines (killed, modified live, and toxoids) and their specific effects on the immune system.

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