FINLEY, Wash. - Horse owners are taking extra precautions to protect their animals from the West Nile Virus.

Mosquito season is at its peak, and a dozen horses are affected with West Nile in Benton and Franklin Counties.

Benton County has the highest number of horses infected with the virus in the State of Washington at 11.

Some horse owners are using mosquito repellant and bug spray to protect their horses which experts say isn't enough, saying vaccinations is much more effective.

But even when a horse is vaccinated, it takes close to a month before it takes affect. That's why some are using automatic mosquito repellant sprays in barn entryways that spray every 15 minutes.

One owner says they help, but they shouldn't be your only means of protection.

"The sprays don't last for a dependable length of time. You don't know how long they'll last so your horse isn't going to have adequate protection all the time. These guys are too important to take a chance on," said Lori Bready of Finley.

Bready says she gets her horses vaccinated every Spring but uses the mosquito spray as an extra precaution.

Veterinarians also recommend vaccinations over repellant sprays.