Latest from Horse & Hound in Strangles

Owners urged to take action as strangles cases are on the increase

Eleanor Jones — Sun, 05 Jul 2026 13:59:11 +0000

Owners are reminded of the need to be vigilant to prevent strangles, however healthy horses look, owing to a “concerning” increase in diagnosed cases.

Biosecurity and precautions are key, experts agree, as 274 cases had been recorded in 2026 by 23 June. The geographical spread covers Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and much of England.

Using data from the Surveillance of Equine Strangles (SES), strangles vaccination manufacturer Dechra calculated that if strangles continues to be diagnosed in line with current rates, there will be 600 cases confirmed in 2026, a rise of nearly a quarter from 2025.

Helen Whitelegg, campaign manager of Redwings, which runs the annual strangles awareness week, told H&H: “Redwings is concerned about the current increase in both equine flu and strangles and is grateful to the vital surveillance work carried out by [Equine Infections Disease Surveillance] EIDS to help us all identify and address these trends.

“It’s notable that of the 274 strangles cases recorded, just over a third of those horses were clinically ill. This reinforces how important it is to use good biosecurity and sensible precautions regardless of how healthy a horse looks.

“We know an infectious disease diagnosis can cause real anxiety in horse owners and yard managers. In addition to concern for the health of the affected horses, people often face restrictions in their daily lives and plans for the coming weeks and uncertainty over how long the outbreak will last and how much time, effort and cost will be involved.”

Ms Whitelegg stressed the BEST protocols: boost immunity by vaccinating, engage with trusted information, separate unfamiliar horses and temperature check as routine.

“We also want to acknowledge all the yards who communicate openly when disease strikes and who work as a team with their vet to tackle an outbreak responsibly to eliminate the disease and take action to protect themselves from future risk,” she said.

Vet Mary Battersby of Dechra added: “Equine flu and strangles spread rapidly and can bring the equine community to a standstill.

“Good biosecurity and preventative measures are essential to help tackle both diseases, particularly in light of owners traditionally being out and about more with their horses over the summer.”

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Horse world urged to act after more than 100 strangles cases recorded this year

Eleanor Jones — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 10:43:26 +0000

The horse world has been urged to get involved with the 2026 Strangles Awareness Week as the number of cases recorded has already topped 100 this year.

The annual campaign this year runs from 4-10 May, its aim to “get horse lovers working together to minimise the scale and impact of a strangles outbreak, which can be financially and emotionally costly”.

Owners of horses and yards are encouraged to sign up as ambassadors and promote the campaign’s BEST practice message to minimise spread of the highly contagious disease.

Boost immunity with strangles vaccination
Engage with trusted information
Separate unfamiliar horses
Temp check routinely

Helen Whitelegg, campaigns and policy manager at Redwings Horse Sanctuary, which co-ordinates the week, said: “We are better placed than ever before to reduce the risk and number of cases seen each year and we all have a responsibility to do what we can to tackle this disease.

“A recent [Pharmaceutical company] Dechra survey found nearly half of respondents were not aware of the availability of a vaccine and a third did not have quarantine protocols for new horses, despite 87% reporting that they were concerned about the risk of infectious diseases like strangles.”

Recent figures show 104 lab-reported cases of strangles logged by the surveillance of equine strangles scheme between 1 January and 2 April. Last year there was a 77% increase on the number of cases from those recorded in 2024; 477 in 2025 compared to 270 in 2024.

“The apparent rise in cases is concerning and we know the true number of outbreaks is likely to be even higher than this, with many unrecorded, and it’s something we feel Strangles Awareness Week can help to address,” Ms Whitelegg said.

Strangles is the most diagnosed equine disease worldwide. Signs can include a high fever, laboured breathing, difficulty eating, depression, thick nasal discharge and painful abscesses. In severe cases it can be life-threatening.

Anyone who signs up as an ambassador will be sent social media assets developed from research and expert advice, an ambassador badge and more. A free webinar on strangles takes place on 5 May.

To sign up, or for more information, visit the Redwings website.

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Horse & Hound’s definitive guide to equine vaccinations

Carol Phillips — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 09:29:39 +0000

This article has been edited and approved by Karen Coumbe MRCVS, H&H’s veterinary advisor since 1991.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

If you aren’t sure about what vaccinations your horse needs, when they should be given and how often, then Horse & Hound’s definitive guide contains everything you need to know

There are a number of vaccinations for horses available to help protect your horse’s health. These include equine flu, tetanus, equine herpes virus (EHV) and equine rotavirus and strangles. Unfortunately a 2019 field trial of a vaccine to protect against grass sickness proved inconclusive.

Only healthy horses should be vaccinated. If your horse is showing any signs of being unwell, discuss this with your vet prior to any vaccine being given. It is recommended that a horse is given a couple of quiet days after being vaccinated, with only light work and turnout. A horse should not be worked hard or made to sweat as they may be feeling below par or a little sore at the site of the injection.

A small percentage of horses experience a reaction after being vaccinated. If your horse appears unwell then speak to your vet for advice. If your horse has previously had a reaction then discuss it with the vet prior to any future vaccinations being given.

All vaccination records should be kept up to date in the horse’s passport document.

What vaccinations does a horse need?

The most common vaccinations given to horses in the UK are for equine flu and tetanus. Equine flu vaccination is compulsory for horses competing in affiliated competitions and is recommended for all horses. Breeding stock should also be vaccinated for equine herpes virus.

How often does a horse need vaccinations?

Most governing bodies of equestrian sports require annual equine flu vaccinations after the initial course is completed. The FEI requires more frequent boosters. It is advised that owners of leisure horses also arrange yearly boosters.

Vaccines against tetanus are typically given to horses every other year.

The primary vaccination course for equine herpes virus in non-pregnant horses involves two vaccinations four to six weeks apart, followed by booster vaccines every six months. Pregnant mares are typically vaccinated at five, seven and nine months of gestation to reduce the risk of abortion associated with EHV.

Why you should vaccinate your horse?

“Equine vaccinations are important to prevent your horse from contracting nasty diseases, particularly contagious diseases such as equine flu,” explains Wolverhampton vet Sue Taylor.

“Horse owners often say that their horse doesn’t go anywhere and so doesn’t need to be vaccinated, but if your horse is on a stable yard alongside horses who do compete, there is a chance that those competition horses could bring back a virus.

“Herd immunity is a concept that owners should be aware of too. If there is a yard full of vaccinated horses, it provides a kind of ‘wall’ to flu and other viruses. It can’t pass on very successfully as vaccinated horses limit the amount of virus that is shed. Whereas if your horse is unvaccinated, they’ll catch it and snot virulent virus all over the place, making it more likely to be caught by other horses — even vaccinated horses can present with mild signs. The higher the vaccination percentage in the overall population, the less opportunities there are to infect horses.

“Also, owners of competition horses should be aware that an up-to-date vaccination record is a requirement of many sporting governing bodies for horses competing under their rules.”

Every horse should be vaccinated against equine flu. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Equine flu (influenza) vaccination for horses

What is equine flu?

Influenza is a viral infection that affects the respiratory system resulting in a high fever, runny nose and coughing. Though rarely fatal, it can be a very debilitating disease that can take a considerable amount of time for horses to recover from. A major outbreak occurred in the UK during 2019 mainly affected unvaccinated animals, although some vaccinated horses also showed clinical signs.

Which horses need a flu vaccination?

Every horse should be vaccinated against equine flu. It is a requirement for competition horses to have up-to-date protection under the rules of most governing bodies.

Equine flu vaccination schedule

The first one is typically given around five months old, second one about four weeks later (21-60 days), then again around six months (120-180 days), followed by an annual booster. If you miss the window for these vaccinations or an annual booster, you will likely have to start the course again to comply with affiliated competition rules (check the rules of your governing body).

British Dressage, British Showjumping, British Eventing and British Riding Clubs require annual boosters. Horses competing under FEI rules must have been vaccinated within six months, plus up to 21 days, of a competition, but cannot have been vaccinated within seven days of arriving at a competition venue.

The flu vaccine is the only one that the FEI insists all horses taking part in international competitions have. From 1 January 2026, flu vaccinations must be recorded digitally in the FEI HorseApp, as well as in the horse’s passport. Vets must enter the vaccination details on the day it is administered. There is a transition period running until 30 June 2026 during which no sanctions will be issued, but from 1 July 2026 missing or incorrect digital records may result in fines.

The British Horseracing Authority’s windows between the first, second and third vaccines are 21-60 days, then 120-180 days, followed by six monthly boosters. In all cases, horses should not attend competitions within seven days of receiving a vaccine.

Other relevant info

Only healthy horses should be vaccinated for flu. If your horse has a temperature, cough or is unwell in any way, make your vet aware before he vaccinates your horse with flu, as the vaccine could make him more ill.

Tetanus vaccination for horses

What is tetanus?

Tetanus is caused by the production of endotoxins by the bacteria Clostridium tetani and is often fatal in horses. The spores of the bacteria are found in soil and enters the tissues via wounds. Deep puncture wounds are particularly dangerous as they provide an ideal site for infection.

Which horses need the tetanus vaccination?

Every horse is susceptible to tetanus due to the nature of the disease.

Tetanus vaccination schedule

A primary course of two vaccinations given four to six weeks apart, followed by a booster 12 months later. Subsequent vaccinations can be given at two yearly intervals. Foals will receive antibodies from their mother’s colostrum, but many are also given tetanus anti-toxin shortly after birth too.

Vaccination for tetanus is usually started at five months old and is often given as a combination vaccine with equine flu.

Other relevant info

You can get lumps or unwell horses occasionally after vaccination, but it is usually from a combined flu/tetanus vaccination rather than a sole tetanus injection.

Equine herpes virus (EHV) vaccination for horses

What is equine herpes virus?

There are five types of equine herpes virus, but EHV-1 and EHV-4 are the most clinically important and they are the only types that can be vaccinated against. EHV-1 and EHV-4 can cause a flu-like respiratory infection in horses, but may also cause abortion in pregnant mares and severe neurological disease. The effectiveness of the EHV vaccine against the neurological form of the disease is unclear.

Which horses need an EHV vaccine?

Any horse can have the herpes vaccine, but it is particularly important for breeding mares — many big studs will insist a mare is vaccinated before being allowed to foal there.

EHV vaccination schedule

The first vaccine can be given at five months old with the second vaccine at four to six weeks later, followed by a booster every six months. To provide effective immunity against abortion caused by EHV-1 and EHV-4 a course of three vaccinations should be given to a mare during her fifth, seventh and ninth months of pregnancy.

Other relevant info

There is a lot of virus shed in the aborted foetus’s fluid so surrounding mares can potentially catch the disease from breathing in the virus. The vaccine doesn’t always prevent the mare from aborting, but it can limit the amount of the virus that she passes when giving birth.

Equine rotavirus vaccination for horses

Pregnant mares are vaccinated against equine rotavirus to protect their foals from suffering diarrhoea or illness caused by the virus. Vaccines are given in the eighth, ninth, and 10th months of pregnancy in order that the antibodies can be transferred to the foal via the mare’s colostrum (first milk). Please contact your vet for more information.

New strangles vaccine

In 2004, a strangles vaccine called Equilis StrepE was launched, but unfortunately, three years later, it was withdrawn due to “quality control issues”.

Over a decade later, and a new protein-based strangles vaccine Strangvac has been developed by a group of scientists from the Animal Health Trust (AHT), the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, the Karolinska Institute and Intervacc AB, to prevent equines from contracting the highly contagious disease.

Trials were carried out on 16 horses, 13 of which were protected from strangles after being given the vaccine, and none showed signs of adverse reactions. The vaccine was made available to vets in the UK in 2022.

Strangles is caused by a bacteria called Streptococcus equi, which causes large pus-filled abscesses in a horse’s throat and neck. An estimated 600 outbreaks of strangles occur each year in the UK alone, so the development of the new vaccine will benefit horse health world-wide. Please contact your vet for more information.

Reactions to vaccines

“Some horses can have a reaction to their vaccination,” says Sue Taylor. “In some cases it is the injection itself that causes the reaction, not the vaccine. Vets shouldn’t swab the area of the vaccine injection because there is a risk that the antiseptic can deactivate the virus. If you have a very dirty horse, there is the risk that the needle will take bacteria in with it, causing an infection and abscess.

“I usually inject vaccines into the brisket (chest) which is often a cleaner part of the horse and if they do react, it drains well. A lot of people inject in the neck but if the horse reacts, it is a difficult area for the fluid to drain from, and the horse can find it difficult to put its neck down to eat and drink, and certainly can’t be ridden.

“If you have a very hairy horse, it might be advisable to clip a patch of hair with clippers or scissors to minimise the risk of dirt being taken in with the needle, or ensure the horse is clean in the area he is being injected.

“If they have a history of reactions, speak to your vet about placing the injection in his chest, and discuss the vaccine itself. In some cases, it is the carrier of the vaccine that causes a reaction, although this is much less likely now with modern vaccine technology. If you know that your horse is prone to reacting to a certain vaccine, tell your vet so that he can organise an alternative next time.”

Additional reporting by Stephanie Bateman

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Owners urged to take action after ‘significant’ increase in strangles cases

Eleanor Jones — Sat, 18 Oct 2025 12:20:39 +0000

Owners have been reminded of the need to be vigilant and take action after a “significant” increase in strangles cases.

The Surveillance of Equine Strangles (SES) network, which collects reports of diagnoses from laboratories and vet practices, confirmed that more than 370 cases have been diagnosed in 2025, compared to the annual UK average of about 300. This has sparked new calls for equestrians to increase biosecurity and consider vaccination to minimise spread.

Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance (EIDS) monitors diagnoses reported to SES; a spokesperson for the group said the data shows the number of cases this year is “significantly higher” than in 2023 and 2024, “indicating a genuine increase rather than normal year-to-year variation”.

Dr Richard Newton of EIDS said, “These findings are a clear reminder that strangles remains an ever-present risk to the UK horse population. The increase in diagnoses underlines the importance of continued vigilance, prompt reporting and proactive prevention measures.”

Recent EIDS and Royal Veterinary College (RVC) research showed that acutely infected or recently recovered short-term carrier horses play a more important role in transmission than long-term carriers (news, 14 August).

EIDS’ Abigail McGlennon, who led the research, said: “Our data show how easily this disease can move across regions through potential links such as shared horse transport, events/competitions, and buying and selling horses. Post-outbreak screening, sufficient quarantine and screening of new arrivals and routine biosecurity measures are essential to preventing wider transmission.”

EIDS and SES are urging people to take action including isolating new arrivals, disinfecting shared equipment and screening after outbreaks to make a “substantial difference in controlling this highly infectious disease”. The strangles vaccine can help reduce infection risk and spread.

Dr McGlennon said, “We now have more tools than ever to protect horses, but knowledge must be matched by action. Prevention, early detection, and vaccination together can help to reduce the impact of strangles.”

The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) is also urging owners to be vigilant.

BEVA veterinary projects officer Lucy Grieve noted that horses typically develop a fever two to three days before they become infectious.

“So taking your horse’s resting temperature daily if any new horses have recently arrived, or you’re away from home with your horse, is a basic biosecurity measure that could minimise the size and cost of an outbreak,” she told H&H.

“Prevention of spread is key and relies on strict biosecurity and quarantine protocols. You can never be too cautious; quarantining new arrivals for at least three weeks, avoiding sharing equipment, whether buckets, grooming equipment or tack, with other horses and preventing your horse from coming into close contact with any unfamiliar horses are all imperative.”

Visit the EIDS website and and the BEVA website for more information.

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Ground-breaking strangles research highlights how owners can prevent disease spreading

Lucy Elder — Sat, 09 Aug 2025 11:58:51 +0000

Owners should not rely on horses looking better after a strangles outbreak to confirm they are free of infection, a study has found.

The Horse Trust-funded research by the Royal Veterinary College found that laboratory tests, rather than relying on absence of clinical signs in a recovering horse, would help prevent the disease from spreading.

Researchers investigated how strangles spreads in the UK. They analysed more than 500 samples and looked at the genetic code of samples and epidemiological data (information about outbreaks), which meant they were able to trace how stains of strangles are related and have evolved.

Using computer programs, they also tracked how genetically related strains spread between horses and across regions over time, and were able to pinpoint likely transmission events and chains of infection.

A key finding is that most infections were transmitted by horses showing clinical signs of the disease, or those recently convalescing. The study said this “underscores” the critical need for greater awareness and adoption of post-outbreak screening to confirm freedom from infection, rather than solely the resolution of clinical signs.

Lead author Abigail McGlennon said the work highlights just how easily strangles can spread across the UK in a short time.

“This study shows how important enhanced surveillance utilising epidemiological and genomic data is to investigate and understand strangles transmission across the UK,” she said. “Our data highlights the importance of greater awareness and adoption of post-outbreak screening protocols to confirm freedom from infection, rather than owners assuming recovery based on the resolution of clinical signs.”

Co-author Nic de Brauwere of Redwings Horse Sanctuary added: “This research, and the publication of this paper, have advanced our knowledge around strangles transmission significantly.

“It is so rewarding when high level research is able to have real-world relevance, and bring immediate potential benefits to equine health.

“Owners, yards and vets can improve how they focus their screening efforts on the highest-risk situations based on sound evidence, making the best use of limited resources, while having a direct impact on the spread of infection to new susceptible equines.”

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Rescued horses ready for new homes six months after strangles outbreak

Lucy Elder — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 12:32:55 +0000

World Horse Welfare’s Norfolk centre has restarted its rehoming scheme after a strangles outbreak resulted in a six-month pause.

A horse rescued from being smuggled out of the country tested positive for the disease on arrival at World Horse Welfare’s Hall Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre in February. Despite the charity’s strict protocols, it spread to others on the farm.

The outbreak has been controlled and the centre is seeking to rehome a number of horses and ponies, as it is at “maximum capacity”. The farm remains closed to visitors at the moment.

“Due to the nature of our work, unfortunately we do sometimes see horses coming into our care with strangles,” said Hall Farm centre manager Sue Hodgkins.

The initial case was one of the “trafficked 20” – a group of horses found on an unsuitable lorry that was intercepted in Dover at the end of last year.

“We took swift and robust action to manage the situation and have worked with our vets every step of the way,” said Ms Hodgkins.

“With the outbreak well and truly under control, we’re delighted to be able to start finding new homes for our horses again.

“Hall Farm is currently at maximum capacity, so we can’t take in any more equines in need of our expert care until we make space by finding some of our horses and ponies loving homes of their own. I’d urge anyone looking for a horse to consider rehoming – by doing so, you’re not only offering that horse or pony a second chance in life but also making space for another one in need to come into our care.”

She added: “It’s been a really tough time for the team but our supporters have been amazing – we’d like to say a huge thank you for their support and understanding about not being able to visit during the outbreak.

“All being well, we’re hoping to be open to visitors again for the school summer holidays – anyone wanting an update can keep an eye on our news pages or our social media.”

World Horse Welfare’s director of UK Malcolm Morley said: “Taking in horses that need rehabilitating and rehoming those that are ready are such key aspects of our work that it’s had a huge impact not being able to do either of those things during the strangles outbreak.

“With our horses being very carefully managed, and separate teams caring for horses with different infection statuses, our paddocks have been designated as red, amber or green zones. As more and more of our horses have reached green zone status, meaning they’ve tested clear of strangles and been vaccinated, we’ve been able to restart our rehoming scheme.

“Every horse and pony now available for rehoming at Hall Farm has been screened using the gold standard test (guttural pouch lavage), completed a two-dose strangles booster vaccination course and spent a quarantine period in a green-zone paddock.”

Hall Farm’s rehoming coordinator Gemma Hamshaw said the centre has eight equines currently on the rehoming scheme; including six non-ridden companions and two ponies who may be able to be worked in future.

“Crumble and Petal, both aged two, have the potential to make brilliant children’s ponies when old enough,” she said. “The others range in age from five-year-old Captain Tom to 22-year-old Dolly, who will make a wonderful companion to another pony who needs to watch their waistline. We’d love to hear from anyone who thinks they could offer one of our horses and ponies the perfect home.”

For more information on the horses and ponies on the rehoming programme, visit: https://www.worldhorsewelfare.org/rehome/

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Dealing with strangles – the human impact of managing an equine outbreak

Lucy Elder — Tue, 06 May 2025 06:02:51 +0000

Equestrians have spoken out on the human side of dealing with a strangles outbreak, to help others going through similar experiences.

Their stories are being shared as part of Strangles Awareness Week (5–11 May). There were more than 260 lab-diagnosed cases recorded in 2024 by the Surveillance of Equine Strangles scheme and more than 100 diagnoses have already been made this year.

The Mare and Foal Sanctuary in Devon is sharing the story of the outbreak that swept through its centre in 2015, claiming the lives of four ponies, to tackle the stigma around and encourage others to talk openly about the disease.

Sally Burton, head of sanctuary care at The Mare and Foal Sanctuary, said 2015 was a “devastating year”.

“Our team is devoted to rescuing ponies, so it was unbearable for us to watch the infection spread throughout the yard,” she said.

“Ten years on, we still hold a special place in our hearts for those we lost, and our survivors are constant reminders of the need for us to share the valuable lessons we learnt.

“We understand the disease far better now and we believe a no-shame approach, to encourage open conversations within the equine community, could help prevent more unnecessary suffering.”

When strangles was identified in the resident herd at the sanctuary’s Honeysuckle rehabilitation yard in Newton Abbot, all new intakes, rehoming and movement of horses across the site stopped.

Quarantine has always been a priority at the welfare charity. It had different procedures and fewer facilities available to deal with an outbreak then, compared to today with its “transformed” strategy and purpose-built veterinary and welfare assessment centre.

Deep emotional impact

Equine care lead Ellie said there was a deep emotional and physical impact on the care team.

“I’ll never forget that feeling of utter helplessness, watching a foal grow so weak and die in our arms before the vet could get to us,” she said. “All our protective instincts as equine carers were to rescue ponies and bring them to a better life, but this terrible disease was killing the most vulnerable in the herd; the young, the old and the weak.”

She added: “We were exhausted, and one of the things I remember is spending hours holding hot compresses on ponies’ abscesses, just trying to comfort them. Strangles is brutal and messy and you’re trying, you’re trying so hard, and they just keep getting sicker and sicker.

“You feel a misplaced sense of guilt too, because you’re the one who identified that there’s a problem with a pony and you report it to the vet, who advises that putting them to sleep is the kindest option. It’s necessary and the most responsible thing to do, but you’re still the one who identified the problem and that never leaves you.”

“It affected every aspect of our lives because we often worked through the night, and not all partners and families understood,” she said, adding that the team kept its spirits up by creating a mural, adding drawings of the horses as they tested free of strangles.

“Watching the wall fill up was so positive and it made us feel there was light at the end of the tunnel.”

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Jonathan Cleaver (pictured, above), co-owner of Ivesley Equestrian Centre in Co Durham, which had an outbreak in 2023, has also shared his yard’s story.

“We’ve learnt a huge amount about the disease itself and a lot about ourselves as well,” he said, adding that they decided to do everything they could to handle the situation in a way that would become “a point of pride for ourselves and for the yard”.

“We had a lot of positive comments online. When our liveries go out and about competing, other people will say to them how well we handled it,” he said.

“You’ll always have naysayers. But ultimately, to get it clear, to get the yard open again, the business open again and to get our liveries out enjoying their horses again, we had to act decisively, we had to act fast, so we did.”

Kathryn Douglass, a vet at Durham Equine, worked closely with Ivesley during the outbreak. She said that everyone pulled together and only six of the 48 horses at Ivesley contracted the disease, which she said is “testament to the vigilance of everyone on the yard”.

“Dealing with an outbreak of strangles is never easy for anyone affected by an outbreak, including us as vets. But from the moment Ivesley found out they had strangles, they were absolutely committed to doing everything possible to protect their horses, while keeping their owners well informed,” said Dr Douglass.

For more information on strangles and the awareness week, visit the Redwings website.

To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

Top riders support awareness campaign for devastating infectious disease

Becky Murray — Mon, 06 May 2024 06:03:42 +0000

“You are only as strong as your weakest point” is the message of this year’s Strangles Awareness Week (6-12 May) – as top names get behind the campaign.

The awareness week, a collaboration launched four years ago by equine welfare charities, vets, and industry professionals, aims to provide education on strangles in the hope of preventing future outbreaks.

Owners who keep their horses at Ivesley Equestrian in County Durham have shared their experiences of an outbreak in June 2023 in a series of online videos. Six of 55 livery horses tested positive for the disease, “a figure which could have been much higher had it not been for the swift action and robust security measures introduced to manage the outbreak”.

Watch the videos at the Strangles Awareness Week YouTube channel

Livery Claire Gourley’s gelding Otto was admitted to Rainbow Equine Hospital for treatment.

“Strangles is something that we thought would never affect us, but Otto ended up so poorly that he was in hospital for nine days, five of those spent in ICU,” she said.

“His abscesses were impinging on his swallow reflex so he couldn’t eat or drink. He needed to be tube fed and was on IV fluids. I think Otto’s story really opened everyone’s eyes as to how quickly strangles can bring a young and healthy horse to so nearly losing his battle with the illness.”

Ivesley Equestrian owner Jonathan Cleaver spoke about the financial implications of the outbreak.

“I first found out about our outbreak after someone asked for a refund for their competition entry, only about 15 minutes after strangles had been identified. For weeks afterwards it felt like we just haemorrhaged money, and we were very lucky to not be in the position where we faced selling off land or losing our home,” he said.

“It is so important to be clued up on biosecurity and the latest strangles research and management, as you are only ever as strong as your weakest point.”

Experts are calling on the equestrian community to give their horses the BEST protection from strangles by taking these steps:

Boost immunity by vaccinating against strangles
Educate yourself and others
Separate new horses
Temperature check routinely

Leading British riders William Fox-Pitt and Richard Davison, eventing legend Lucinda Green, and influencer Riding with Rhi are supporting the campaign and have produced videos demonstrating how owners can put these measures into place.

“I am supporting Strangles Awareness Week because I would love to see us prevent more horses from experiencing this horrible disease by doing the BEST we can for our horses,” said William.

Equestrians taking part also have the opportunity to win prizes, with 40 items worth a total of £6,000 up for grabs, including Spillers feed vouchers, a Champion body protector and helmet, a Toggi outfit, showjumps and poles from Red Bear Equestrian, and more. To be in with a chance of winning visit the Strangles Awareness Week website and correctly answer questions relating to the four BEST actions. The competition closes 12 May.

“We are so grateful to William, Lucinda, Richard and Rhi for voicing their support for Strangles Awareness Week and their time helping us to promote the BEST actions. As equestrians who strive for the best for their horses, they are hugely valuable voices to help show how we can all reduce the risk that strangles poses to our horses and yards,” said Lydia Duce, Redwings campaigns manager.

“We would like to express our sincere thanks to all the brands who have supported our prize draw. With such a huge prize to be won, we would encourage every horse owner to get involved, get to know their BEST actions, incorporate these into your horse’s care, and take back control against this devastating disease.”

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(Image credit: Redwings)

Strangles: what is it, how to spot the signs, plus a new vaccine to help protect your horse

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Taking horses’ temperatures can – and has – saved lives

(Image credit: Redwings)

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Protecting our horses: eventer speaks up after strangles outbreak

Eleanor Jones — Sat, 26 Aug 2023 18:51:52 +0000

An eventer whose season was brought to a halt by a strangles outbreak has spoken up in hopes sharing her experience will help others.

Connie Copestake, who has competed to four-star level, wanted to raise awareness of the signs, related issues and coping strategies that helped her deal with what has been “a bit of a nightmare”.

Two of the 12 horses at her yard tested positive for the disease; Connie believes they must have contracted it at an event in late June.

“It was a week to the day after they ran that the first horse spiked a temperature, of nearly 40C,” she told H&H. “As soon as that happened, we called the vet. It hasn’t been ideal but we’re coming out the other side now.”

Owners are urged to take their horses’ temperature daily as an increased figure can be the first sign of disease, and early intervention is key in minimising spread.

In Connie’s case, the affected horse, and another who showed signs, were immediately isolated.

“We got them off the yard straight away, to be on the safe side,” she said. “That was before we got the results back; it could have been just a bacterial infection but just in case. When the tests came back positive, the vets swabbed the rest of the yard.”

Under veterinary advice, the infected horses were kept out, far from the others, and the team put meticulous biosecurity measures in place, such as keeping other horses separate until they tested negative and having “foot baths everywhere”. All their efforts paid off, as no other horses became ill.

“We’ve been very lucky,” Connie said. “The worry is that it’s so, so contagious, so it’s about doing everything you can, and using common sense.”

Connie praised her “phenomenal” vets at Oakham, and the understanding of her horses’ owners.

“They’ve been brilliant,” she said. “It’s not the nicest phone call to make but they were all very understanding. It threw a real spanner in the works as we shut everything down straight away and the last thing on our minds was going eventing.

“The priority is the horses’ health, and what can we do to make them get better, and protect the ones who are clean. The girls who work with me on the yard have been super.”

Another key, Connie said, is being open; she immediately told everyone who might need to come to the yard.

“I think there is a bit of a stigma about it, and a sense that if you keep quiet, you can just keep going,” she said. “And there’s nothing stopping you. We didn’t, of course, no horses have come in or gone out, as otherwise you end up being part of the problem, not the solution.

“That’s how it keeps spreading, and the last thing you want is for someone else to get what we’ve had because of negligence.”

Once Connie had the veterinary green light to take the horses out again, she could start to plan the rest of her season. She hopes that by talking about her experience, others may be encouraged to do the same.

“Just be very honest about it,” she said. “It is what it is and you’ve almost got to own it rather than trying to sweep it under the rug. It’s frustrating but horse welfare has to come first and that’s what it boils down to. If you have Covid, you don’t go out; it’s not just the person who might catch it from you, it’s the older or poorly relative they might pass it on to, and it’s the same for horses.

“We’ve got to be responsible. I think it should be a notifiable disease, as there was nothing stopping me from going out and keeping my mouth shut, which would have been totally wrong.”

Connie also thanked the “amazing” Equine Bio Genie, which came to “disinfect everything” in the yard, and cited the need to rest paddocks on which infected horses have grazed.

“If no one talks about strangles, it will carry on having a stigma,” she added. “If anything’s going to change, people need to start talking about it.”

Long-term charity resident tests positive for strangles in ‘unusual case’

Becky Murray — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 17:35:38 +0000

A long-term elderly resident of Redwings Horse Sanctuary has tested positive for strangles – as the charity’s Hapton site in Norfolk is put in quarantine.

A spokesman for Redwings said although the Hapton site is not a visitor centre, the charity is asking people who may have cause to walk through or attend a meeting at its headquarters at Hapton to adhere to strict restrictions.

Nic de Brauwere, the charity’s head of welfare and behaviour, said a single field of ponies in one of Redwings’ resident herds at the site had been put into “precautionary quarantine”, as is the charity’s practice when any equine shows possible signs of an infectious disease, and the pony tested positive for strangles. He added that strangles is spread by direct contact with the disease or contaminated people or objects and is not airborne – so there is no risk of nearby horses’ being affected, providing all quarantine measures are followed.

“It is a very interesting case given it was found in an elderly resident who has been at Redwings for many years, and we haven’t been managing any other cases of strangles at either this site or our quarantine yard,” said Mr Brauwere.

“Our initial diagnosis of a tooth abscess is also affecting the pony but strangles is also in the mix of bugs affecting his sinuses, so the approach of precautionary quarantine has rewarded us with being able to limit spread even before we knew what was wrong.”

Mr Brauwere said the pony has been moved to the charity’s dedicated quarantine yard.

“No further cases have been identified but we have adopted an early and widespread quarantine to prevent direct spread from horse to horse, and indirectly via equipment and people,” he said.

“We will maintain quarantine until we are assured that there are no cases on the farm. All fields in the quarantine areas have been taped off to members of the public, so it is important to adhere to the restrictions we’ve put in place.”

Mr Brauwere added that when Redwings puts precautionary quarantine in place at its farms, staff rely on lab reports and veterinary expertise to know when to ease it.

“We regularly deal with cases of strangles and other infectious diseases in new arrivals at our reception facility where the equines remain until they are disease-free. It’s very unusual to find a case in a longer-term resident, but we approach it in exactly the same way to ensure we haven’t missed a disease getting through our net or finding a new way into the herd.”

Redwings has actively campaigned to improve biosecurity procedures and tackle the “stigma” associated with strangles, launching the Stamp Out Strangles campaign in 2018, and leading the annual Strangles Awareness Week, along with other equine welfare charities.

“In light of this case we’d encourage owners to remember not to become complacent about strangles and to be prepared to respond to symptoms and signs of infectious disease until it can be ruled out. Protect horses by knowing your horse’s normal temperature and take temperatures routinely so you are better placed to respond if a horse spikes a fever,” said Andi McPherson, Redwings campaigns manager.

“One way to be prepared for strangles is to read our Stamp Our Strangles Pledge and make that simple commitment to good biosecurity best practices. Don’t forget to get your yard involved next May to help promote disease prevention.”

Taking horses’ temperatures can – and has – saved lives

Eleanor Jones — Wed, 10 May 2023 18:21:07 +0000

Taking horses’ temperatures can save lives – and has done so – riders have been reminded, as the community unites to fight the threat of strangles.

To mark the 2023 Strangles Awareness Week (1–7 May), World Horse Welfare presented a webinar titled “Take the heat out of strangles”, on 3 May.

Experts spoke about the latest developments in biosecurity, best practice in preventing strangles and managing outbreaks when they do occur. Equestrians were reminded that it is the most commonly diagnosed infectious equine disease in the UK, and that a high temperature is often the first sign, typically two to three days before the horse starts shedding the infection.

FEI senior veterinary advisor Caterina Termine spoke about the importance of good biosecurity for all equine infectious diseases, referring to the “devastating” EHV outbreak in Europe in 2021.

She explained new rules brought in as a result of this, including twice-daily temperature checks of horses before and during competition, all recorded on the FEI app, and vet checks at shows.

“Temperature taking has been a game-changer,” she said, adding that if any horse records a temperature of above 38.5°C, it is immediately isolated, “which is absolutely crucial in terms of stopping potential transmission”.

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The horse is then rested, as “rest is the most important thing you can do”, Dr Termine said, and any in-contact horses are identified. She added that when cases were recorded in Oliva this spring, only 28 horses tested positive, as opposed to 118 in 2021, and none died, as opposed to 18.

“Temperature taking has saved lives,” she said. “It’s meant we can act faster to save horses.”

Dr Termine urged equestrians to take their horses’ temperatures as part of their daily routine, as it can be the earliest warning of any issues, which was reiterated in a panel discussion.

Abigail Turnbull of Richmond Equestrian Centre, which had to cancel competition owing to a strangles outbreak in 2019, said the livery yard was managed on a traffic light system; the red area contained suspected and confirmed cases, amber was for those who may have had contact with “red” horses, and green for those who had no signs and had had no contact.

“I had charts and every owner texted me their horse’s temperature twice a day,” she said. “It’s a two-minute job and it will pick things up.”

Richmond’s biosecurity measures are now included in its livery contract, and all owners and visiting professionals have to take the Redwings “Stamp out strangles” pledge.

Para dressage rider Fiona Maynard, who has had a strangles outbreak this spring after a carrier horse came in for training, said it has been “financially and emotionally very stressful”. Her biosecurity measures have included different people working on different yards to minimise transmission, and she has been looking into measures such as separate stabling for visiting horses in future.

“I’m so nervous now,” she said. “Good biosecurity keeps everyone safe.”

Vet Katie Kelly, who has recently dealt with strangles, said identifying the disease early is key in minimising spread and the length of outbreaks, as is good biosecurity and being honest and transparent with others. Owners were reminded that horses can show no signs but go on to be strangles carriers for long periods, so ongoing testing and treatment if needed until all are given the all-clear is key.

Yard where four ponies died in ‘devastating’ strangles outbreak speaks out to save others

Eleanor Jones — Sun, 26 Mar 2023 18:51:50 +0000

The owner of a pony who was one of four to die during a “devastating” outbreak of strangles at a livery yard has spoken up in hopes of preventing others from going through the same ordeal.

Alisha Bailey’s two-year-old daughter’s pony Fifi, who was also two, had to be put down despite vets’ best efforts. Three others also died.

Alesha, along with High Moor Livery yard owner Lisa Hewitt and other liveries, appears in a video released by the organisations behind the annual strangles awareness week, which this year runs from 1 to 7 May. They are urging owners to take part in the “temp check challenge”, a key aim of the campaign, which was set up as a “global, collaborative effort to prevent and manage strangles”.

“We were locked down for about eight months in total,” Alisha told H&H. “It’s such an awful thing to hit your yard.”

Alisha said the first sign of the outbreak was one horse, who had recently returned to the yard, developing a runny nose.

“The yard owner handled the situation the best way she possibly could,” Alisha said. “We were locked down, there was no movement of horses; that horse and another one that had symptoms were tested and they were positive for strangles, so biosecurity measures were put in place.”

This included every livery having to buy a thermometer and do twice-daily temperature checks. This is part of the awareness campaign as a high temperature can be an early sign of illness, and in strangles, usually comes two to three days before horses shed the disease and can affect other animals.

“Getting to know your horse’s ‘normal’ temperature and checking regularly – especially if they move and mix with others – could give owners and yards the chance to prevent disease spreading and be the difference between one infected horse and many,” said a spokesman for Redwings, which organises the awareness week.

Alisha said the yard also had a traffic light system of zones; green for horses with no clinical signs and who had had no contact with affected horses, through to red for those showing symptoms or who had tested positive. Movement between the zones was strictly controlled and liveries had to change and disinfect clothing and boots to prevent spread of the disease.

In total, 27 of the 64 horses at the yard developed the disease, one of the first of whom was Fifi.

“We lost two others before her; a 13-year-old girl’s pony who bled out as he had an abscess that must have burst a main blood vessel, and Lord Eric, whose owner was a seven-year-old girl just starting her first ridden journey,” Alisha said. “He and Fifi were taken into the vets; the vet was really good and wanted to give them every opportunity.

“They were there about 48 hours and they found that Eric had an abscess that was trapping his epiglottis [a flap that closes the windpipe while eating]. The vet did all he could to free it but because of how long it had been trapped, it had nerve damage and didn’t work.”

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Not long before Lord Eric died, Fifi’s condition deteriorated.

“She’d lost every ounce of weight she had; because of where her abscess was, it was causing colic,” Alisha said. “She had antibiotics, steroids and pain relief but on her final day she could hardly stand and we had to make the sad decision.”

Another horse also had to be put down before the outbreak was over.

“It was heartbreaking to have to tell my daughter,” Alisha said. “I told her Fifi had gone up in the sky and was with Lord Eric again. She didn’t fully understand but she knows Fifi isn’t there. It’s hard; Lord Eric’s owner is seven and she struggles to understand why he was taken away in the way he was.”

Alisha added that she and many at the yard did not truly understand the impact strangles can have before their experience.

“They look back now and say they knew nothing about it then,” she said. “I’d like everyone to familiarise themselves with the symptoms, and what can happen. The temperature checking is massive. I think a lot of people are scared to admit their yard has it – but spread the word, not the disease. Then other people can put measures in place to prevent them going through what we did.”

Owners who take part in the temperature check challenge can win yard tours with Piggy March or Richard and Joe Davison, and Redwings is offering free strangles awareness week packs including thermometers, online.

‘It won’t work if it stays on the shelf’: vets report ‘limited uptake’ of new strangles vaccine

Becky Murray — Sun, 19 Mar 2023 21:03:23 +0000

Owners are being encouraged to take advantage of the new strangles vaccine as part of a multi-factor approach to combating the disease.

The long-awaited vaccine launched in the UK last autumn, having been in development for more than 25 years. It reduces the clinical signs of the infection, including high temperature and coughing, and can reduce the number of lymph node abscesses. Trials demonstrated it can protect “more than 94% of horses”, but despite the benefits, vets have reported a limited uptake of the vaccine.

Edd Knowles of Bell Equine Veterinary Clinic told H&H the vaccine is an “exciting addition” to the strategies to combat strangles.

“There is no single ‘magic bullet’ to prevent strangles and currently we often see an over-reliance on blood testing to prevent the condition,” said Dr Knowles. “When combined with other biosecurity measures, vaccination should reduce the impact of strangles on our horses.”

Bell Equine vet Karen Coumbe added that she is “looking forward” to when the vaccine is in regular use. “Especially in stable yards, where young horses move in and out frequently, so are at a higher risk of disease. As of yet, there has been limited vaccine uptake, considering how much of a worry strangles can be for many owners and the economic damage it causes, as well as actual harm it can cause to horses,” she said.

Mark Bowen, member of the British Equine Veterinary Association’s (BEVA) health and medicines committee, told H&H BEVA “understands the reticence” of owners in considering another vaccine for their horses.

“We have seen strangles vaccines brought to market previously that were difficult to administer, and were beset by supply chain issues that made ongoing protection impossible. What sets this vaccine apart from others globally is the science that has gone into its creation using techniques similar to the Covid vaccines, to produce immunity to targeted proteins in the strangles bacteria,” he said.

“This should prevent production issues, and enables it to be given by intramuscular injection, rather than into the lip. This gives a very high level of protection while being much safer and easy to use than other vaccines and does not interfere with the current blood tests.”

Mr Bowen added that although strangles is “rarely fatal”, it is highly contagious and spreads throughout yards quickly.

“Although most horses recover completely, the costs associated with confirming freedom from disease following an outbreak are very high,” he said. “There are many challenges with relying on single blood tests to screen for carriers for new arrivals on a yard, and a program of vaccination would be a more effective way to protect a population of horses that are mixing at home and at competitions. We would encourage owners and yard managers to discuss such programs with their veterinary surgeon.”

Redwings, one of the co-organisers of Strangles Awareness Week (3–9 May), also supports the use of the vaccine.

“Although it is still new on the market, we have confidence that it has been carefully researched and tested and was shown to be very effective,” said Nic de Brauwere, Redwings head of welfare.

“More time is needed to get an accurate picture of how well the vaccine performs in the many different situations horses face, but for the vaccine to give any protection it needs to be used. It certainly won’t work if it stays on the shelf.”

Mr de Brauwere added the vaccine is an “essential part of a biosecurity toolkit” alongside temperature checking, hygiene and testing protocols.

“It is a great new tool to fight this disease, and minimise its devastating impact on horses, owners and premises,” he said.

Strangles: what is it, how to spot the signs, plus a new vaccine to help protect your horse

Carol Phillips — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 13:02:58 +0000

This article has been edited and approved by Karen Coumbe MRCVS, H&H’s veterinary advisor since 1991.

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What is strangles in horses?

Strangles in horses is one of the most common infectious equine diseases in the UK. It is a highly contagious infection of the upper respiratory tract caused by the bacteria Strep. equi (Streptococcus equi subspecies equi). Horses, ponies and donkeys of all types and ages can be affected, but young horses typically develop more severe signs.

While it is not typically life-threatening, strangles can spread quickly among horses on a yard or in locations where horses come together in large groups such as at shows, if appropriate levels of biosecurity are not in place. Stables, yards or show venues that have a positive case of strangles are encouraged to stop equine movement in and out of the location and to advise professionals such as vets, farriers, physios and external trainers prior to visiting. The economic impact of a strangles outbreak to an equine business can be significant.

Signs of strangles in horses

A horse with strangles will typically have a temperature (above 38.5°C), depression with a loss of appetite, and thick, yellow mucus draining from both nostrils. Hot, painful abscesses may develop on the sides of the head and throat, which may burst and discharge pus. The horse may experience difficulty eating or extending his head, due to the discomfort in its throat, hence the name strangles.

The signs of strangles vary from mild to severe and are not always typical. Strangles can produce only subtle signs in a healthy adult horse, who may display a slight short-term increase in temperature, a brief loss of appetite and a clear nasal discharge. When the disease is this mild, it may be missed.

If you suspect your horse may have strangles, it should be immediately isolated and veterinary advice sought.

How is strangles spread?

The bacteria are primarily transferred between horses by direct contact or shared environments such as water troughs, with discharge from any draining abscesses being highly infective. It can also be transferred via a third-party such as people’s hands or clothing, or tack and yard equipment. However, the strangles bacteria cannot be blown far in the wind unlike the equine flu virus, which is airborne over long distances.

Strangles can contaminate pastures and stables, but the bacteria survives best inside the horse. Outside of the horse strangles doesn’t survive well in hot, dry environments, usually lasting just a few days outdoors in summer but in wet, cool environments such as water buckets or troughs it may survive for more than a month.

The best way to reduce spread is to spot the signs early. It is important to isolate any horse suffering with the condition and undertake good hygiene and biosecurity precautions to avoid transferring the infection to others. It is good practice to isolate new equine arrivals to reduce the risk of bringing a fresh infection on to your stable yard — ask your vet for advice.

What is the timeline of strangles?

The incubation period is up to 14 days (usually 3-10 days), but abscesses can take up to a week to appear after that. The condition typically lasts for at least three weeks, if untreated, but can linger and may take a much longer to spread from horse to horse, so once a yard is infected, it can remain a problem for months.

Following recovery, around one in 10 of affected horses will become carriers, appearing outwardly healthy, while still carrying bacteria in one or both guttural pouches, which are cavities at the back of the horse’s throat. These ‘carriers’ can intermittently shed bacteria for months — or even years — afterwards, meaning they pose an on-going risk for potential infection to other horses.

How is strangles diagnosed?

A vet will make the initial diagnosis based on clinical signs. There are various lab tests available to confirm if a horse is suffering from the condition, where swabs or other samples can be collected to check for evidence of the bacteria. These are particular useful since some animals (usually up to 10%) will be carriers and not show any signs of illness. Once a horse has been identified as a carrier it can be treated to avoid risk of infecting others.

How to treat strangles in horses

Most horses with strangles will require only good quality nursing, including rest and anti-inflammatories. Hay or haylage and hard feed should be fed from the floor to encourage drainage of discharges. Throat abscesses can be hot-packed to encourage them to burst, or your vet may lance them to allow them to drain.

The use of antibiotics to treat strangles remains controversial and is best addressed by your own vet on a case-by-case basis. Fresh air can help affected horses, but this benefit of turnout needs to be balanced with the risk of grazing becoming contaminated.

Vets have devised a traffic light system to separate horses into smaller groups of infected horses (red group), high risk cases (amber) and those who are hopefully clear (green) and then separate them, ideally with separate yard staff managing each group.

Complications

Although strangles is rarely fatal, there may be complications in up to 20% of cases. The abscesses in the throat can cause difficulties with eating and breathing if they put pressure on the airway, which is the reason for the name “strangles”. Rare complications include bastard (metastatic) strangles, where abscesses form elsewhere in the body, and the immune system disorder purpura haemorrhagica.

How to deal with an outbreak of strangles

Yards that have an outbreak of strangles are recommended to share the news openly with the local equestrian community in order to prevent wider infection.

Isolate the affected horses and those suspected of being positive until proven otherwise
Place a disinfectant foot bath outside isolation stables and at the yard entrance
People looking after affected/isolated horses should change all their outer clothing and wash their hands before handling other horses
The strangles bacteria will be destroyed by a hot wash, so changing and washing clothes will reduce the risk of spread
Monitor rectal temperature twice daily in all horses you are concerned about. A raised temperature may be the first clue that they may be about to develop signs
Let industry professionals such as the vet, farrier, equine dental technician, saddle fitter, feed delivery man, etc know before they come to the yard. They may prefer to make you the last visit of the day to avoid any chance of spreading the bacteria to other yards
Warn horse owners using adjoining fields or who ride close to the yard to keep their distance

Behave responsibly and avoid taking in-contact horses to shows where they may spread the disease to other horses and yards.

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Aftercare

Once a horse has been given the all clear by the vet, they can be removed from isolation and return to their usual care routine with work being reintroduced gradually.

It is recommended that a yard with a strangles outbreak should remain on lockdown with no horses going in or out for up to a month after the last case occurs, but seek advice from your own vet.

Prevention of strangles in horses

In order to prevent a strangles outbreak, yards may require new horses to be tested for the condition prior to arrival. This helps to identify ‘carriers’ (see above) that can then be treated to avoid introducing the bacteria to a new group of horses.

Owners of horses that attend off-site training or competition should exercise good basic biosecurity measures such as not allowing their horses to touch others, don’t share water buckets or feed buckets, don’t allow the horse to graze at the venue or use water troughs away from home. All horse handlers should avoid touching other people’s horses or equipment.

Is there a vaccine for strangles?

Scientists from the Animal Health Trust, the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, the Karolinska Institute and Intervacc AB announced in early 2018 that they had developed a new protein-based vaccine against strangles¹. Large-scale production of the Strangvac vaccine began in 2019² with the vaccine being released for veterinary use in August 2022³.

The new strangles vaccine is the result of more than 25 years of research. The new vaccine does not use live bacteria; instead it uses eight proteins from the strangles bacteria. The use of so many proteins should help to provide protection against different strains of strangles, and by avoiding the use of live bacteria, the risk of serious side effects is significantly reduced.

Like a flu or tetanus vaccine, the new strangles vaccine is given into the muscle, so administration is more familiar to vets and owners than some previous vaccines that required injection into the lip or squirting into the nose. A little, temporary, soreness at the injection site is not unusual and occurs at a similar frequency to that with other vaccines, such as equine flu. The initial course is two vaccines four weeks apart, however the level of protection is improved greatly by a third dose three months after the second.

Importantly, vaccination does not interfere with the results of laboratory diagnostic tests for strangles.

Can vaccinated horses get strangles?

Vaccines rarely, if ever, provide complete protection in every single case and in the studies so far the Strangvac vaccine has reduced the severity of strangles (for example by reducing temperatures and numbers of abscesses), but has not prevented all clinical signs in all cases.

Strangles in horses: common questions

Can a horse recover from strangles?

Yes, most horses recover from strangles, although some may continue to carry the bacteria while showing no external signs of the condition. These horses can intermittently shed bacteria for months — or even years — afterwards, meaning they pose an on-going risk for potential infection to other horses.

What is the survival rate for strangles in horses?

The vast majority of horses that catch strangles recover fully. Around 10% may suffer complications, with those proving fatal in up to 4% of cases⁴, so the survival rate is approximately 96%.

Does strangles have to be reported?

Strangles is not a notifiable disease in the UK so it does not have to be reported by law. However, yards with an outbreak are encouraged to be open about it with their local community in order to limit its spread. While there is no legal requirement to stop equine movement to and from an infected yard, it is recommended that any horse that may have come into contact with one carrying strangles does not mix with other horses.

Strangles is a reportable disease in the United States of America⁵.

How long should you quarantine a horse with strangles?

Any horse that has had strangles – or has come in contact with a horse suffering from strangles – should be quarantined for at least four weeks after all clinical signs have passed.

References:

‘We shut down in 45 minutes’: yard hit by strangles promotes openness and biosecurity

Eleanor Jones — Fri, 08 Jul 2022 16:34:12 +0000

The owners of a yard dealing with a strangles outbreak have spoken out on the importance of biosecurity — and being transparent with all involved.

Stephen Cole and Michael Parsons, of Parsons-Cole Equestrian, own a number of yards, the biggest of which, Nortonbury Farm in Letchworth, Herts, is affected, and still in lockdown.

The pair told H&H the first case was that of a new arrival, a rescued pony, who despite testing and biosecurity protocols, started showing signs of the disease and tested positive for strangles about four weeks ago. Since then, of the 42 horses at the yard, only three more have tested positive.

“Strangles can be a funny one; people think it’s like you’ve got leprosy or something,” Stephen said. “I feel people need to understand and learn more about it.”

Michael added that he has spoken to many people who have said their yards have had to be shut down for months at a time with strangles outbreaks but “it doesn’t have to be like that”.

“If you nip it in the bud, you can have things back to normal fairly quickly,” he said. “Within 45 minutes of finding out the rescue pony had it, our biosecurity plans were implemented.”

The pony had been isolated anyway, the pair explained, in accordance with the yard’s policy for new arrivals, and had initially tested negative for strangles, which the pair said demonstrates why such protocols for new arrivals are so important.

The plan, which was in place before the positive test and implemented immediately, included different zones; red for horses who had either tested positive or were showing signs, amber for those who had had contact with affected animals and green for those who had not. Each zone had different protocols.

“The plan also included foot baths, thermometers, isolation blocks, absolutely everything,” Michael said. “I think we have been lucky to a certain extent but if we hadn’t implemented the plan as quickly as we did, I think we’d be in a worse situation. We’ve got very strict processes and protocols, and will hopefully get out of this as soon as possible.”

Other measures include full hazmat suits for staff dealing with affected horses; the staff then have to go home, shower and change before they deal with any other animals.

“It’s been an emotional rollercoaster,” said Stephen. “I’ve got my own mares at the yard and three had scanned in foal. We were ecstatic but by the heartbeat scan, two had miscarried, which we and the vet think is because of everything that’s happened. We’re trying to protect all the horses; the youngsters and the older ones like a 28-year-old who pulled the Queen Mother’s funeral carriage. It’s a rollercoaster and not everyone understands.

“One example was at a shop the other day; a woman wouldn’t come anywhere near me, even though I said I was clean. I think people don’t understand it fully, which I think is more dangerous.”

“There needs to be more understanding of how it transmits,” Michael said. “And we’re not embarrassed about it, we’re open, which I think is a big thing, as is being transparent, with everyone.”

Join Piggy March in ‘temperature check challenge’

Becky Murray — Fri, 22 Apr 2022 11:10:24 +0000

Top event rider Piggy March has shown her support for Strangles Awareness Week (2-8 May) by encouraging owners to take part in the “temperature check challenge”.

The annual week, co-organised by equine welfare charities, veterinary colleges, vets and researchers, aims to provide education on strangles in the hope of preventing future outbreaks. Strangles is the most commonly diagnosed equine infectious disease worldwide with around 600 cases reported in the UK every year. Signs include high fever, thick nasal discharge, depression, cough, painful abscesses, laboured breathing and difficulty eating. In severe cases, it can pose a risk to the horse’s life.

A feature in this year’s campaign is the “temperature check challenge”, which asks owners to take their horse’s resting temperature every day and input the reading into a free online checker. The aim is to help owners get to know their horses’ normal temperature range, something that fluctuates through the day owing to a range of factors.

“A high temperature is an early warning sign that your horse may have been infected with strangles – and will become infectious to other horses – so getting to know what your horse’s ‘normal’ temperature and variation is, could prevent an outbreak,” said a spokesman for the campaign.

Piggy March and Cooley Lancer, known as “Swiss Roll” have starred in a video providing tips for those taking a horse’s temperature for the first time.

“It does take a bit of pre-planning the first time you take your horse’s temperature and owners might be nervous, but it is such an easy, and effective, way to monitor your horse’s health once you’ve done it a few times with attention to making it a positive experience for the horse,” said Piggy.

“A lot of owners only take a horse’s temperature when the horse is unwell but it’s such an important indicator as to your horse’s health and, while fever can indicate ill health for a range of reasons, it is an early warning sign that a horse has a contagious disease like strangles.”

Piggy added an outbreak can be debilitating for yards and said it’s essential the equestrian community takes every opportunity to limit its transmission while responding promptly and responsibly to ill horses.

“That’s why I wanted to lend my support,” she said. “I have some great people who usually do this for me in my yard, so it was the first time I’d taken one of my horse’s temperatures myself for a long time and never with Swiss Roll.

“I hope it gives others confidence to do the same and use the challenge to hone a new habit.”

People who take part in the challenge will be entered into a free prize draw, to win prizes including a British Horse Society gold membership, and the temperatures submitted will contribute to a database to help owners understand what a normal healthy range is.

Andie McPherson, Strangles Awareness Week coordinator and Redwings campaigns manager, said the organisers are thrilled to have Piggy’s support and hope the video will help those who haven’t taken a horse’s temperatures before learn how to stay safe and gain confidence.

“The temperature checker, collaboratively developed by the organisations behind Strangles Awareness Week, gives owners a place to record their temperatures daily and calculate an average. It aims to educate owners about what is normal resting temperature for their horse so they are better placed to spot a spike,” she said.

“If a horse rests at around 37.2 degrees for example, an increase of a degree within a 24-hour period, especially with behavioural signs of being off-colour, could indicate fever. Horse owners may not consider 38.3 degrees as a warm horse and overlook fever so knowing your horse’s normal resting temperature is so helpful.”

Andie added that an outbreak can be “financially and emotionally devastating” for owners and businesses.

“The cost of a thermometer and building in a regular routine of checking for fever is comparatively inexpensive and, as it could indicate other infections, inflammation and give insight into health issues that explain poor performance, has benefits far beyond the identification of strangles,” she said.

“We’ve produced a Strangles Awareness Week thermometer people can purchase for £5 and lots of guidance on how to take your horse’s temperature safely and comfortably for the first time at www.reddwings.org.uk/stangles/strangles-awareness-week.”

Research provides important step in better UK strangles surveillance

Becky Murray — Mon, 25 Oct 2021 19:03:29 +0000

NEW data about strangles in horses has provided a “stepping stone” to better disease surveillance in the UK.

Last month researchers published the Surveillance of strangles in UK horses between 2015 and 2019 based on laboratory detection of Streptococcus equi, which aimed to provide “important insights” into the diagnosis and clinical features of strangles in horses. During the study period,1,617 laboratory-confirmed diagnoses occurred from samples submitted by 315 vet practices across the UK.

Reasons for sampling horses included strangles being specifically suspected, horses presenting as clinically ill, respiratory infection screening and post-infection screening. The most frequently reported clinical sign was nasal discharge, followed by a raised temperature. Regions with the highest number of diagnoses included North Yorkshire, Staffordshire and West Sussex, but the researchers believe that the true number and location of UK horses remain poorly understood owing to limitations on the current equine ID system.

Royal Veterinary College PhD student Abigail McGlennon, who led the research and last year launched an online strangles surveillance tool based on laboratory diagnoses, told H&H the data was the “stepping stone” to creating the tool, and provides information for vets and owners on what to look out for.

“When you look at some of the more traditional publications surrounding strangles you always get the description of horses that are really poorly with massive abscesses but one of the things we found, when looking at the clinical signs reported, was that the most frequent were a mixture of pyrexia [a raised temperature of above 38.5°C], nasal discharge and coughing. These signs are less specific compared to the classical signs so that’s definitely something owners should be aware of,” she said.

“If an owner notices their horse is a little under the weather with a snotty nose and raised temperature it’s very important to immediately put in place biosecurity measures. These reports of early signs could mean that owners are actually more vigilant and are noticing their horse looking under the weather and calling the vet out, or it could be that the types of the strains of the bacteria that causes strangles might not be as strong as they used to be, and are causing milder clinical signs. It’s an interesting finding for owners to look out for.”

Ms McGlennon said it’s important for owners to be proactive with biosecurity, rather than reactive.

“It’s better to have protocols in place and it will often save owners a lot of money in the long run if they have procedures running in the background, rather than having to act in the face of an outbreak,” she said, adding that the stigma around strangles is improving thanks to work including the annual Strangles Awareness Week.

“If owners are in the unfortunate situation where their horse catches strangles, there are a lot of resources out there. People are willing to help so it’s important to reach out to that support system.”

The Horse Trust funded the study and the charity’s director of research and policy, Jan Rogers, told H&H that as strangles is not a notifiable disease, it is down to the whole horseworld to manage the spread, as well as it can.

“As an industry we have been asking for the digital identification of horses and while we have the Central Equine Database, which is very good, it’s only as good as the data that’s in it. If owners could update their details online people would be more likely to keep them up to date,” she said. “Once you have a central system with up-to-date information, that would be a good mechanism for diseases to be tracked and traced, and for other databases such as the strangles surveillance system to be linked. If you can tell people where disease is happening then we can make people more aware.”

The Horse Trust’s chief executive Jeanette Allen added the research is an “exciting step towards something that could be outstanding”.

“In the UK we have the expertise and a vibrant equine industry and I can potentially see us having a world-leading surveillance system that could be available on every interested party’s mobile phone,” she said.

Charities combine forces to help contain Dartmoor strangles outbreak

Sarah Radford — Fri, 15 Oct 2021 19:01:49 +0000

A Dartmoor pony herd has been rounded up and tested for strangles in a bid to curb an aggressive outbreak of the disease that has been affecting the moor for the past year.

The semi-isolated herd had been grazing a 450-hectare site at Bellever as part of a conservation project, making them ideal candidates to track the infection’s progress and help contain its spread.

Since June, the outbreak has meant riders have been asked to stay away from the land near Postbridge, which is leased from Forestry England by the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust (DHPT), while walkers have also been asked to steer clear of the native ponies grazing there.

Although the herd has very limited contact with the others on Dartmoor, the highly infectious respiratory illness had still managed to reach the 27 ponies at the site.

“We were keeping our fingers crossed for them as it is a closed herd but at long odds, two ponies must have said hello to each other over the wall at the one corner where contact is possible and upsettingly it then rattled though this herd,” said DHPT patron and wildlife photographer Malcolm Snelgrove.

The DPHT chose to work alongside charities the Mare and Foal Sanctuary, Redwings and the Dartmoor Livestock Protection Society to drift the ponies in to a clean holding pen and test them.

At the same time, they also had their feet trimmed, while this year’s foals were allocated passports and microchipped.

“Ten per cent of infected ponies can become carriers and we wanted to create a firewall to stop this strain,” Malcolm said.

Picture by Malcolm Snelgrove (Image credit: creditUnknown)

“The idea is to test them and see if we have carriers — if we do, the next step would be a guttural pouch wash to clear them of the disease.

“I don’t think anyone has tried a major testing operation like this before but as we have a closed herd with a lot of control, we are in a position to learn from this.”

The ponies were brought in on 30 September and 1 October and the results of the tests, which are being carried out at Redwings’ lab, are expected to take a week.

“The results will enable us to move some of the ponies on for sale,” Malcolm said. “Some of them had already been sold as riding ponies or as conservation ponies for different sites, but we couldn’t move them.

“Some vets will say that after two weeks of no clinical signs, they are deemed clear of infection, but I have been following the herds from a photographic perspective and I know strangles can kick around for two or three months, and then two months later there is another outbreak. As a charity we wanted to guarantee we didn’t move any ponies until we knew 100% that they weren’t carriers.”

The operation is being overseen by vet Hayden Webb and his team at Equus Equine Vets, and strangles expert Nic de Brauwere, head of welfare and behaviour at Redwings.

Malcolm added that the work would hopefully enable them to give breeders on Dartmoor an idea of the investment necessary to ensure spread is halted in the event of an outbreak.

“We need to know the most cost-effective way of stopping this,” he said.

The Bellever herd has already contributed to a University of Plymouth conservation study which demonstrated the positive impact the ponies had on the control of purple moor grass (molinia caerulea). The grass has become dominant and is having a negative impact on species diversity.

The work by Paul Hunt, Jakob Leigh, Samantha McNeill and Malcolm Gibb, published in the Conservation Evidence Journal has demonstrated that native ponies can be attracted to graze areas dominant in molinia caerulea through the use of salt licks.

Their grazing and trampling was shown to increase the establishment of heather seedlings.

Stay away: desperate plea to walkers and riders as ponies on Dartmoor suffer ‘nasty’ strangles strain warning: upsetting image

Eleanor Jones — Tue, 03 Aug 2021 20:31:37 +0000

A desperate plea has been made to visitors to Dartmoor: stay away from the ponies to help stop a “vicious strain” of strangles spreading.

The Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust is trying to “put a firewall” in place around the 450-hectare site it leases from Forestry England at Bellever, to protect its 27 ponies.

Other animals on neighbouring commons, at Haytor and Widecombe, are already infected, so the trust is urging riders and walkers to stay out of Bellever, in hopes of stopping the infection spreading to more moorland herds.

Charity chief executive Dru Butterfield said: “The neighbouring [new intake] to the land we lease has contracted strangles, and this strain is particularly nasty.

Picture by Malcolm Snelgrove (Image credit: Malcolm SNELGROVE)

“We are devastated that our herd, which we go to such extreme measures to care for, are now almost certain to contract this terrible infection.

“We urge the public to avoid any contact with our ponies and to please enjoy them from a distance. If you are a horse owner we would ask you to avoid Bellever until we provide an all-clear notice.”

The trust is working with vets and the Dartmoor Livestock Protection Society.

H&H reported in February that visitors to the moor were being asked to look but not touch, as some of the ponies were carrying strangles.

Anyone who sees a pony with a snotty nose or abscesses, or coughing, is asked to call Dartmoor livestock protection officer Karla McKechnie on 07873 587561.

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(Image credit: Malcolm Snelgrove)

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Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

‘I wish people wouldn’t hide it’: owner who nearly lost pony to strangles encourages others to speak out

Becky Murray — Sun, 09 May 2021 12:03:56 +0000

As the 2021 national Strangles Awareness Week (3-9 May) draws to a close, an owner who almost lost her miniature Shetland pony to strangles hopes to raise more awareness of the disease and encourage others to speak out.

Falkirk-based Sandy Trimmer, who runs the Unicorn Experience offering photograph sessions for children with ponies to help grow confidence, bought then five-month-old Teddy in October 2020, and he became unwell the day after he arrived.

Sandy, who was keeping Teddy with Pumpkin, one of her other ponies, at her home, said he was lying down a lot and placed his head in her lap.

“He had been wormed and microchipped before he left his breeder the day before and at first I thought he maybe had a sore tummy, but I realised he was struggling to stand up and walk so I got the vet,” she told H&H.

“His temperature was off the scale and he was grinding his jaw side to side and drooling.”

Teddy was diagnosed with strangles and given painkillers.

“Under his throat was swollen and the vet advised to hold hot towels around his throat three times a day,” she said.

“About three to four days later he developed a ping-pong ball-sized swelling on his neck. The vet came back and said his immune system was struggling and the site of his microchip had become infected. She cut his neck to drain the pus, and his microchip came out.”

Teddy’s health issues continued and he developed a swelling underneath his eye.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

“His eye was filling with pus, and I noticed a lump on his head between his eye and his ear. I was told by the vet to massage it and eventually pus came out from the abscess under his eye so it was tracking down,” said Sandy.

“The abscesses under his throat had burst and he had no skin left on the area. They looked disgusting, it was awful but throughout everything he somehow managed to keep on eating.”

Sandy said eventually the abscesses healed. In February both ponies were scoped for strangles and received the all-clear.

“We had to wait a while for Teddy to grow to be scoped as he was so little, the vet said he was the smallest they had ever scoped,” she said.

“It was such a relief for him to be given the all-clear; three times we thought we were going to lose him and so many times I was on the phone to the vets in tears. At the time I was concentrating on getting him through it but when I look back I see how tiny he was. Three different vets at Clyde Vet Group treated him throughout the time he was ill, they were absolutely amazing.”

Sandy, whose other ponies never came into contact with Teddy and were kept at a different location, said she spoke openly to “everyone” about Teddy having strangles and hopes to raise awareness of the disease.

“I didn’t want friends who have horses coming to visit and I made sure if I had to go to the feed shop I did this first thing before dealing with Teddy. I was constantly using disinfectant,” she said.

Continued below…

(Image credit: Sandy Trimmer)

Ambassadors sought to help raise strangles awareness and end stigma

The annual Strangles Awareness Week takes place 3-9 May and aims to provide owners, yard managers, vets and equine professionals

(Image credit: Sandy Trimmer)

Milestone strangles research tracks strains across world

(Image credit: Sandy Trimmer)

“People still don’t know enough about strangles and are scared to speak out. I’ve been on yards in the past where it’s been advised not to tell people about strangles as people think they will be blamed, but you have to be open about it and I wish people wouldn’t hide it.”

Strangles Awareness Week is a collaborative effort between the British Horse Society, Intervacc, Keeping Britain’s Horses Healthy, Redwings Horse Sanctuary, Scotland’s Rural College’s Premium Assured Strangles Scheme (PASS), Surveillance of Equine Strangles (SES), The (Dick) Royal School of Veterinary Studies and World Horse Welfare. The annual initiative aims to provide horse owners, yard managers, vets and equine professionals with a platform to share their own stories and promote support for those affected by the disease.

This year’s campaign features a series of podcasts with people from across the equestrian industry sharing their experiences of the disease. There is also free resources and support available for those who may be tackling outbreaks.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Milestone strangles research tracks strains across world

Eleanor Jones — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 11:01:04 +0000

In ground-breaking research, the DNA of strangles strains across the world has been analysed to provide information about how the disease spreads. H&H finds out more from some of those who funded and worked on the study

RESEARCH tracking the strangles bacterium across the world has been described as an important milestone, as it reveals more about how the disease spreads and thrives.

The largest ever study of its kind into an equine pathogen, published in journal Microbial Genomics, involved scientists in 18 countries using the latest DNA-sequencing techniques to track streptococcus equi as it caused strangles across the world.

Strangles is the most frequently diagnosed infectious disease of horses, with an estimated 600 outbreaks every year in the UK.

Using standard testing, strands of the bacterium look almost identical, but by analysing the DNA, the researchers could track different variants.

Andrew Waller, of biotechnology company Intervacc AB, told H&H the strains in Europe emerged during World War I, when large numbers of horses were mixing. But, in a similar way to the coronavirus, different strains have developed, some of which could be more transmissible, or more resistant to vaccination.

“If you assume the strains are all the same, you could have problems with disease spreading and causing issues,” Dr Waller said. “By looking at the DNA in detail, we’ve been able to identify where transmission events have occurred.”

Dr Waller said if the key transmission points between horse populations can be identified, interventions can be put in place to prevent this. As an example, he said an outbreak at Redwings had occurred in some newcomer mares who had been screened clear. Analysis showed that the source was in fact another horse, which told Redwings its screening procedures worked, but that biosecurity elsewhere needed to be examined.

“Redwings has led the world in screening for carriers; it was good to prove that process had worked,” Dr Waller said.

He added that he is now looking at “network analysis” in the UK, to find out exactly how the disease is spreading, and on a strangles vaccine, which is hoped to be released this year.

Nic de Brauwere, Redwings’ head of welfare and behaviour, told H&H: “We’re delighted our focus on strangles and biosecurity over the last 30 years has enabled us to contribute to what’s reflected in this important paper. This research is a real milestone in the understanding of how strangles thrives in a mobile population.

“At the sanctuary, we routinely test all new arrivals for strangles and worked closely with the Animal Health Trust to provide samples from strangles-positive horses, which aided their research and formed our contribution to this study. This also improved our own approach to preventing the disease and managing our own outbreak in 2015.

“Redwings, however, was just one of many contributing organisations, which symbolises the team effort required to tackle the spread of strangles and we back the paper’s recommendation for strangles to be included on the World Organisation for Animal Health’s list of infectious equine diseases of international importance.”

Jan Rogers, of the Horse Trust which part-funded the study, told H&H: “It’s a groundbreaking project and the extent of collaboration both on the research and the funding elements demonstrate that so much more can be achieved if we pull together. Understanding the DNA of the bacteria will enable more precise surveillance and treatment to be carried out. This will support advances in global traceability of horse movements for racing, sport, breeding and trade and better health for all our horses.”

Ambassadors sought to help raise strangles awareness and end stigma

Sarah Radford — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 13:03:11 +0000

The organisations behind Strangles Awareness Week are looking for ambassadors to help promote awareness of the disease on social media and tackle the stigma attached to outbreaks.

The annual initiative will take place this year from 3-9 May and aims to provide horse owners, yard managers, vets and equine professionals with a platform to share their own stories and promote support for those affected by the disease.

The campaign is a combined effort from the British Horse Society, Intervacc, Keeping Britain’s Horses Healthy, Redwings Horse Sanctuary, Scotland’s Rural College’s Premium Assured Strangles Scheme (PASS), Surveillance of Equine Strangles (SES), The (Dick) Royal School of Veterinary Studies and World Horse Welfare.

People interested in promoting the initiative can join the list of ambassadors by emailing campaigns@redwings.co.uk.

Strangles is the most prevalent equine disease in Britain but many yard and horse owners are hesitant to discuss cases for fear it may harm their reputation.

A survey conducted by the Strangles Awareness Week collaborative last year found 75% of respondents believed that talking publicly about the disease could lead people to “suspect an issue”, ultimately damaging their business.

This perception can lead to yard owners’ having to deal with the emotional and financial consequences of a strangles outbreak in silence, as well as stopping people from seeking help and advice.

Redwings’ campaign manager Andie McPherson said: “When people hear of a strangles outbreak in their area, we want the first reaction to be one of support, not judgement. Strangles can happen to any horse yet sadly there is still so much stigma attached to it which stops people speaking out and allows the disease to continue to spread.

Continued below…

Vet removing drain from horses nostril (strangles) (Image credit: Lucy Merrell)

Strangles: what is it, how to spot the signs, plus a new vaccine to help protect your horse

(Image credit: Lucy Merrell)

Visitors warned: ‘look but don’t touch’ as ponies on Dartmoor develop strangles

The charities involved are expecting more visitors to the moor when lockdown restrictions ease

(Image credit: Lucy Merrell)

“Using the platform of Strangles Awareness Week, we hope as many people as possible will share our free practical information about strangles and feel empowered to talk about their experiences, so we can then start to shift attitudes and hopefully see less horses, owners and businesses facing the misery of dealing with an outbreak.”

This year’s campaign will feature a series of podcasts with people from across the equestrian industry sharing their experiences of the disease. There will also be free resources and support for those who may be tackling outbreaks.

Dave Rendle, British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) junior vice-president and chair of the BEVA health and medicines committee, said: “Strangles should be easy to control. With a little more understanding of the disease, we could make massive strides to protect our horses and prevent the disease spreading. Every horse owner should spare an hour or two to tune into Strangles Awareness Week.”

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Visitors warned: ‘look but don’t touch’ as ponies on Dartmoor develop strangles

Eleanor Jones — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 13:04:01 +0000

VISITORS to Dartmoor have been urged to “look but don’t touch” the ponies, as some are carrying strangles.

The Dartmoor Livestock Protection Society and the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust have issued a joint statement asking people to “enjoy the herds from a distance”.

The affected animals are being monitored, and with higher visitor numbers expected to the moors as soon as lockdown restrictions ease, and as spring approaches, the charities are hoping people respect their plea.

Livestock protection officer Karla McKechnie said: “We are aware that a number of ponies on Dartmoor currently have strangles. Infected animals are being monitored by their owners and by myself.

“In order to help contain the spread of the disease we are urging all visitors to the moor not to go near or touch the ponies.

“Strangles is highly infectious and transmitted via contact and we need everyone to work with us in helping to prevent its spread.”

The statement, aimed at visitors and the general public, explains the nature of strangles and its transmission, which can occur through indirect contact, even via cars.

“This is a challenging disease to manage and eradicate because infected horses and ponies become carriers, where even though they appear healthy and show no outward signs, they can be intermittently infective to other ponies,” the statement reads.

The charities are also urging the public not to be tempted to feed the ponies.

Continues below…

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

‘It could have been fatal’: Dartmoor foal found with dog poo bag stuck in its mouth

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Strong evidence in support of new strangles vaccination

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

“There have been a number of reported cases countrywide of horses and ponies choking to death when they’ve been fed unsuitable food,” Karla said.

“Feeding of ponies has been directly linked to an increase in pony-related road accidents by encouraging them to the roadside in the expectation of being fed. Our message is to admire the ponies from a distance.”

Anyone worried about a pony looking ill can call Karla on 07873 587561.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Strong evidence in support of new strangles vaccination

Lucy Elder — Tue, 01 Sep 2020 06:03:21 +0000

A study into a new vaccination against strangles provides positive evidence, while separate research looks into the efficacy of a certain type of strangles testing. H&H looks at the research and gets the experts’ views.

A new strangles vaccine offers fresh hope of better protecting horses from the disease.

A study into the effectiveness of Strangvac, published in the peer-reviewed journal Vaccine, found “strong evidence” in support of the intramuscular vaccination.

The research team was made up of experts from the Animal Health Trust, the Swedish University of Agricultural Science, Karolinska Institutet and biotechnology company Intervacc, which develops vaccines.

They concluded the vaccine is a “valuable tool with which to protect horses from strangles, particularly during high-risk periods, while maintaining the mobility of horse populations as required by the global equine industry”.

They found it was “safe, immunogenic and effective” and did not cross-react with ELISA testing, which identifies horses that have been exposed to the disease, so it was possible to differentiate those from vaccinated animals.

The researchers added it is “particularly noteworthy” that immune memory cells persist over “at least a year, justifying a booster at any time during this period, in previously primed horses, at a situation where the risk of exposure is enhanced”.

David Rendle, a member of the British Equine Veterinary Association’s health and medicines committee, told H&H any progress in tackling the disease is welcome.

“The bacteria that causes strangles, Streptococcus equi, does not survive for long outside the horse and, unlike some other infections such as flu, or even coronavirus in people, it is an infection that could be relatively easily controlled if infected horses were all treated effectively and prevented from mixing until infection had been eliminated,” he said.

“Regrettably, not everyone is prepared to follow the appropriate steps for identifying and eliminating infection and carrier horses circulate in the equine population, spreading infection.

“A vaccine that provided robust and sustained immunity would be an invaluable tool in the control of strangles, which would not only enable responsible horse owners to protect their own horses from the severe forms of the disease, but would also help to reduce the risk of onward transmission to other horses.

“Further work needs to be done with this vaccine as other strangles vaccines in the past have shown initial promise and have then been disappointing when used in the field. If this vaccine is effective then it could be a significant step forward in tackling this horrible disease.”

Nic de Brauwere, head of welfare and behaviour at charity Redwings, which has a long-running strangles campaign, told H&H they feel it will be a “huge asset” to help combat the disease, alongside enhanced biosecurity practices and testing.

“Vaccination will also make it possible for owners to help protect their horses and continue with activities that involve travel or mixing with unfamiliar horses at events where other owners may not be as cautious about reducing the risk of strangles,” he said.

“The ability to restore a horse’s optimal immunity after a booster, within the 12-month window, should also give owners confidence that they can protect their horses in high risk situations at shorter notice than for example is possible with the equine influenza vaccine.”

Blood test questions raised

A separate study, published in the Equine Veterinary Journal, advised caution over relying on the use of certain blood (serological) tests for strangles antibodies.

The research by Andy Durham and Jeremy Kemp-Symonds found limitations in serological testing for certain antibodies in order to discount the possibility of a horse being a chronic carrier of the bacteria in his guttural pouch.

Mr de Brauwere told H&H the study is a “valuable reminder of the complexity of strangles” and raises further questions.

“In our experience, blood tests have been enormously helpful in narrowing down the search for carriers,” he said.

“But guttural pouch endoscopy and PCR testing has long been the gold standard for detecting carriers at Redwings, also allowing visual assessment and the treatment of infected pouches, which is what cures horses from being carriers. For blood tests to continue to contribute to screening with confidence, we need further research and development of improved tests.

“For us, the most important way to prevent strangles from spreading is the application of enhanced biosecurity practices, and we would like to see a bigger focus on preventing horses becoming carriers in the first place by scoping and treating all horses recovering from the disease.”

Vet Malcolm Morley told H&H the research is something for owners to be aware of and to speak with their vets about tests and options to come up with an appropriate plan for their yard and new arrivals.

He added that is not to say these blood tests are not useful, but rather there are limitations to be aware of when considering the context of whether it is going to be the appropriate test.

‘I was at my wits’ end’: owner speaks out after three-month battle with strangles

Becky Murray — Sat, 02 May 2020 16:33:23 +0000

An owner who was at her “wits’ end” as she dealt with a three-month strangles outbreak hopes to raise more awareness of the support available – but said stigma surrounding the disease still exists.

Kent-based Angie Driver moved to a new yard on 21 December last year with her 20-year-old part-bred Irish draught mare Annie and seven-year-old cob Cody. Two days later Angie collected a seven-month-old miniature Shetland, Bunty, whom she had viewed the previous month.

“The day after Bunty arrived I noted she had a sticky eye and a wound above it so I got the vet out,” she told H&H.

“The vet thought the wound was an abscess caused by a foreign object such as a thorn. He took a swab to check the bacteria – then on Christmas Day a second abscess appeared.”

Angie said she did not suspect strangles at the time but as a precaution adopted biosecurity measures and warned other liveries not to touch Bunty.

“On 30 December another abscess appeared, under her jaw, and on New Year’s Eve we had a positive strangles diagnosis,” she said.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

“Bunty had been kept in since the first abscess appeared, but on the first day of her arrival she had been able to touch Annie and Cody over the fence so I was worried they could have been infected.”

Angie said Bunty’s condition improved, but then Cody and Annie started showing signs of strangles. Cody developed nasal discharge on 6 January, then “bounced back” and on 18 January Annie developed nasal discharge and swollen glands – and abscesses later “erupted”.

“A few weeks later Annie developed choke but it was different from what I’ve seen before. The vet came and lanced her throat and about a pint of pus came out – it went everywhere,” she said.

“On 7 February Annie still wasn’t right and she was admitted to the vet hospital and Bunty went in too after she developed four further abscesses.”

Angie said Bunty’s abscesses were lanced, and Annie’s throat scoped, which found nerve damage from the abscesses was causing food and pus to build up, making it difficult for her to swallow.

“I was at my wits’ end – Annie is my horse of a lifetime and I couldn’t face losing her,” said Angie.

After four days on antibiotics, Annie tested clear of strangles on 29 February. Angie said she was keen to make sure none of the horses had become a strangles carrier so she had Cody scoped on 5 March.

Vets found he had a large chondroid, which is formed of a build-up of pus in a horse’s guttural pouch. These can carry bacteria, which can cause a strangles outbreak – even though the horse may appear to be well. A vet can remove chondroids and flush the guttural pouch, before re-testing to check the horse is infection-free.

“He appeared completely normal but he would have been a carrier and we wouldn’t have known,” she said. “We will repeat the procedure in four weeks, but Bunty is too small to have this done so she requires three-weekly swabs to test her.”

Owing to the lockdown restrictions Angie has had to wait for the follow-up procedures but hopes now that vets are carrying out more routine work, these can take place soon.

Angie said she has received lots of positive comments and messages.

“When it first happened I told everyone on the yard and we went into lockdown straight away, but I didn’t put it on social media because I didn’t want people to panic – but then a post appeared on a Facebook group stating there was strangles in the area,” said Angie. “Someone tagged me in the post so I wrote a lengthy reply and explained what had been happening.

“People have been so lovely. Some have messaged me saying I was brave to speak out, which indicates how much stigma is still out there – people would speak out more if there wasn’t that stigma.There is ignorance around strangles and people can panic when there is an outbreak.”

Article continued below…

(Image credit: Angie Driver)

Riding school’s future in jeopardy after ‘catastrophic’ strangles outbreak

‘Potentially we may not open as a riding school if we have to sell the horses and ponies to pay

(Image credit: Angie Driver)

New ‘vital’ strangles tool available to owners and vets

Dr Richard Newton said the website provides ‘comprehensive insights’ about the disease that have never been available before

(Image credit: Angie Driver)

Angie hopes to raise more awareness of strangles and support the Redwings Stamp Out Strangles campaign and awareness week (4 to 10 May).

“I knew a bit about strangles and infectious disease like equine flu previously, but I’m hoping to help others in my area and spread the message about the support available through the Redwings campaign and the awareness week,” she said.

“I’ve learnt a lot and I’m so happy I was able to contain it to my own horses at the yard using biosecurity practices. I was so new to the yard and didn’t know anyone but everyone was really supportive.”

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Strangles initiative to run online as pandemic highlights biosecurity H&H Plus

Becky Murray — Fri, 01 May 2020 17:19:21 +0000

As the current coronavirus situation has brought the importance of biosecurity into sharp focus, it is hoped this will serve to improve practice in the equine industry

A new strangles initiative aiming to eradicate stigma surrounding the disease will go ahead online – as the pandemic reinforces the importance of biosecurity.

Strangles Awareness Week (4–10 May) is a collaboration between Redwings, the Animal Health Trust (AHT), the British Horse Society (BHS), Keeping Britain’s Horses Healthy, Scotland’s Rural College, the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, World Horse Welfare and backed by the British Equine Veterinary Association.

Events will run on social media, where people are encouraged to share strangles experiences, key messages and myth-busting facts and take the Redwings Stamp Out Strangles! pledge, agreeing to champion good biosecurity and speak out about the disease. There will also be a live conversation between AHT head of bacteriology research Andrew Waller and Redwings’ senior vet and head of welfare Nic de Brauwere.

Redwings’ education campaigns manager Andie Vilela said it was always the vision that the week would be a predominantly online event.

“While we are in the grip of a pandemic and the public are being educated on the importance of social distancing and hand-washing, among other biosecurity measures, this presents an opportunity to reinforce how vital it is to apply these behaviours when caring for horses,” she said.

Ms Vilela added when Redwings surveyed owners in 2016, it was found that one of the biggest perceived barriers to strangles prevention was stigma.

“Now, thanks to social media, we are starting to see more owners and yards be open about their experiences, helping to show strangles poses a risk to any horse – and the equine community is responding positively,” she said.

“But this doesn’t mean the problem has gone away and we’re still hearing from owners who were too fearful to ask for advice in case they suffered a backlash.

“If everyone was more supportive and accepting of infectious disease prevention as a part of horse management, more would have the confidence to speak out, share concerns and impart knowledge that could prevent another having to deal with the devastating impact.”

BHS welfare education manager Emmeline Hannelly said the society hopes the campaign will help alleviate unnecessary stigma surrounding strangles.

“The week presents a brilliant opportunity for an open and honest dialogue on strangles, the vital importance of understanding the signs and the need to contain an outbreak,” she said. “Due to its highly contagious nature, it is crucial we help to raise awareness of the disease and how we can all work together.”

Angie Driver, a Kent owner whose three equines contracted strangles, told H&H she supports the Redwings campaign and hopes others will speak about the disease.

“People messaged me saying I was brave to speak out, which indicates how much stigma is still out there,” she said.

“People would speak out more if there wasn’t that stigma.”

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Riding school’s future in jeopardy after ‘catastrophic’ strangles outbreak

Becky Murray — Sun, 02 Feb 2020 17:45:40 +0000

The future of a new riding school has been put in jeopardy owing to a “catastrophic” strangles outbreak.

Livery yard Hobby Farm Equestrian, Bridport, Dorset, was awarded its riding school licence after Christmas, achieving four stars, and had been due to open its doors to the public in spring.

Owner Gabby Ray told H&H her 13hh pony Poppy was the first to be diagnosed with strangles on 6 January, having had a high temperature and snotty nose.

“When the vet first saw her, he didn’t think strangles as she didn’t have swollen glands. When we got the call to say she had a positive diagnosis it was a massive blow,” said Gabby.

“A livery’s horse had been ill with a temperature and colic at the vet’s shortly before and we wonder if he became unwell because of strangles, as he subsequently came down with it too.”

Gabby said 11 further horses and ponies have since had a positive diagnosis, the latest being miniature Shetland Tinkerbell who was diagnosed on Friday (31 January).

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

“I’m just thankful we haven’t lost any,” said Gabby. “The symptoms have been strange, they haven’t been classical. One had an abscess burst in its ear.

“It’s taken a long time to take hold and it’s really dragging out now.”

Gabby said the farm went on lockdown and has been split into three yards.

“We have a yard of the horses infected, a yard of horses who are not affected and a yard we’re unsure about but they have been in contact with those affected and we have separate staff looking after each. Everyone is using disinfectant and the footpath that runs through the farm has been closed by the council.

“We notified everyone in the area and we’ve had lots of support from people. It was a worry because there is the stigma with strangles but the local hunt and other livery yards have been wishing us well.”

Gabby said 12 of her own horses and ponies are due to undergo a guttural pouch wash procedure to ensure they are not carriers of the disease, and vet bills could rise to around ￡1,000 per horse.

“It’s catastrophic,” she said. “I don’t know what we’re going to do. The majority of those affected are our own horses, and I’m glad its my own rather than liveries, but we hadn’t insured them yet. We had been buying horses and ponies for the riding school and I wanted to wait and do everything at once, but in hindsight I wished I’d insured them individually when we bought them,” she said.

“We have three horses we bought for the riding school who turned out not to be suitable and who we need to sell, but they can’t currently go anywhere until we’ve had the procedures completed and had the all-clear.”

Gabby said the worst-case scenario is the plans for the riding school could be stopped.

“We’re a young family and a new business. The livery side pays the staff wages, and we wanted to start the riding school to put some more money in the pot,” she said.

“Potentially we may not open as a riding school if we have to sell the horses and ponies to pay the vets’ bills, it’s a big worry. It’s been really disappointing, there aren’t many riding schools in the area and we wanted to set up a pony club, and do things for the elderly, and autistic children and provide something new for the area.”

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A neighbour of Gabby, Michelle King, suggested she start a crowdfunding page to raise funds for the vet bills.

“In the past for fundraising we’ve done things like holding a tack sale but we can’t do anything like that because we can’t let anyone on the yard,” said Gabby.

“We might look at crowdfunding. I hadn’t thought of it before and I’m not very good at asking people for money but we may have to consider it.”

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How to protect your stable yard from infections H&H Plus

Andrea Oakes — Wed, 29 Jan 2020 09:00:09 +0000

Good yard hygiene practices are vital to help keep infectious disease at bay. Yet no matter how thorough your biosecurity plan, is it sufficiently robust to protect your horses from others that visit your property for lessons or other reasons?

The recent equine herpes virus (EHV-1) outbreak in Hampshire served as a stark reminder of the devastating potential of this disease, when four horses were put down after contracting the neurological strain.

Ideally, visitors to your yard will be scrupulous about their own yard biosecurity, maintaining flu vaccinations and keeping horses at home if there is any suspicion they are unwell. But a seemingly healthy animal may be incubating disease, however, bringing infection through your gates in Trojan Horse style. So what can you do?

While experts agree that yard lockdown (ceasing all movement in and out) is extreme if there is no known horse contact with affected premises, it makes sense to have ongoing precautions in place — not just against EHV, but to lessen the risk of other contagious diseases such as equine flu and strangles.

Beating bacteria

A familiar client arrives and unloads their horse for their lesson. Where’s the danger?

“Infectious disease can be spread by direct horse-to-horse contact and also indirectly, where bacteria are transferred via people’s hands or clothing, or tack or yard equipment,” says Richard Hepburn FRCVS, of B&W Equine Vets. “EHV virus particles can live for seven days in an environment, although flu particles may only survive for three.

“The good news is that both are easily killed by disinfectant,” he adds, explaining that simple habits such as a squirt of antibacterial hand gel will help.

“Make sure people bring their own things and don’t borrow yours. Communal hosepipes can harbour viral particles and are a known source of infection spread at shows, so clients should bring buckets and ideally their own water supply. Otherwise, disinfect the hosepipe end regularly.

“Disinfecting the trailer or lorry after each journey is another sensible measure, although rarely done,” adds Richard. “While shared environments such as arenas are thought to be low risk, a quick once-over with a hand-held spray disinfectant is wise where a horse has slobbered on the fencing.”

Keep your distance

Visiting horses that stay overnight, or longer, should be stabled a sufficient distance from your own horses to reduce the chance of disease transmission.

“EHV is a reasonable starting point when considering an isolation protocol, as its consequences are typically the greatest,” says Richard, referring to the possible permanent neurological implications of the disease.

“While the herpes virus does not travel far by air, a good sneeze from an infected horse could send particles a considerable distance. The ideal physical separation would be around 30 metres — in a straight line — between them and your main stable block.

“The bacteria that cause strangles are larger in size and are more often spread by direct horse-to-horse contact,” he explains. “Equine flu virus particles, however, are dispersed by coughing as aerosolised droplets. In the 2007 Australian outbreak, they travelled up to two kilometres by air.”

A practical compromise, says Richard, is an isolation stable separated from the main block by as far as possible and facing a different direction — with separate kit for mucking out, grooming, feeding and watering, along with overalls, hand wash and a foot bath for the handler to use before touching other horses.

“We’ve perhaps become complacent about isolation, but it’s not difficult to be prepared with some common-sense measures,” he adds.

What the professionals do

“We sometimes have clients’ horses on site, but never for an overnight stay,” says event rider William Fox-Pitt. “I never touch a horse if I’m teaching and I don’t allow visitors to the yard to touch mine. If horses are coming, perhaps from overseas, we don’t work ours with them in the arena or on the gallops.

“If you know something’s brewing, you have to keep the outside world out,” adds William, who closed his yard during the last major equine flu outbreak.

“Routinely, during the season, we take every horse’s temperature daily — which has many times been a godsend — and have a strict policy of isolating all new arrivals in a separate four-box unit.”

Rebecca Hughes, who, with husband Gareth, teaches visiting riders at Hughes Dressage, also puts strict biosecurity measures into place.

“Our clients’ horses have no direct contact with ours,” she explains. “They access the indoor school through a separate door, without coming through the yard, and we have separate stables 50 metres away for those staying overnight.

“We also monitor our own horses’ temperatures daily, as part of our yard management strategy, to pick up early signs of infection.”

Ref Horse & Hound; 30 January 2020

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New ‘vital’ strangles tool available to owners and vets

Becky Murray — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 12:15:15 +0000

Owners and vets will have access to a “vital tool” on the most up-to-date strangles diagnoses in the UK thanks to a new online resource.

The Animal Health Trust (AHT) created the website, which aims to provide information at the “click of a button”, as part of its surveillance of equine strangles project, launched in April 2019 in collaboration with the Royal Veterinary College and the universities of Liverpool and Melbourne, with funding from the Horse Trust.

A spokesman for the AHT said the website is a “huge step forward” in sharing information about the disease.

“It will quickly become a vital tool for people owning and working with horses, especially those travelling around the country to areas that have seen higher rates of diagnoses of strangles,“ he said.

“Strangles, as one of the most commonly diagnosed infectious diseases of horses worldwide with more than 600 outbreaks in the UK each year, causes immense welfare problems for horses and significant economic costs to their owners.”

The website includes a mapping function, highlighting regions where cases have been confirmed, and allows users to view information relevant to their location.

“Information based on the geography of vet practices making diagnoses, the demographics of horses being confirmed with infection, the ways diagnoses are made and the types of samples being submitted for lab testing, is also included,” said the spokesman.

“Users can look at the time course of diagnoses over longer periods to highlight seasonal trends, and view the most important associated clinical signs and the combinations of these, as reported on submission forms sent with samples to diagnostic laboratories.”

AHT director of disease surveillance and epidemiology Richard Newton said the website provides “comprehensive insights” about the disease that have never been available before.

“However, the resource is only as useful as the data supplied from vets on the ground. I would urge colleagues to help us to keep this resource as up-to-date and comprehensive as possible by completing full details on submission forms being sent to any laboratory, so this information can contribute – anonymously – to the national picture of strangles,” he said.

AHT PhD student Abbi McGlennon, who led the development of the website, said: “Our aim with the surveillance of equine strangles scheme is to reduce the spread of the disease. This website is one of the first key tools to emerge from the larger surveillance project.

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“It joins the dots across the equine industry by collating information from laboratory-confirmed strangles diagnoses and communicating this back in almost real time. I’m excited about the prospect of extending this internationally, and the difference that could make for horses globally. We are extremely grateful to the Horse Trust for funding the wider project, and to SEIB insurance brokers for supporting the website.”

Horse Trust CEO Jeanette Allen said the charity is delighted to be funding the work.

“We support a number of crucial horse health projects throughout the UK and with worldwide collaboration. Strangles is a disease which is very worrying to owners. With accurate information about where outbreaks are and proper information about what owners can do to help reduce the spread of strangles and other diseases, we hope to be able to significantly improve horse wellbeing,” she said.

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‘There is a clear appetite for change’: strangles campaign celebrates first anniversary

Becky Murray — Thu, 17 Oct 2019 10:03:06 +0000

The welfare charity behind an award-winning campaign combating stigma around strangles is celebrating its first anniversary and hopes poor biosecurity practices can be “consigned to the history books”.

More than 710 owners and 145 yard managers have pledged to join Redwings Horse Sanctuary’s Stamp out Strangles campaign, which provides a free online hub with information on the disease. By pledging, owners and yard managers agree to champion good biosecurity practices and to speak out on the disease.

Redwings campaigns manager Andi Vilela said the charity is “thrilled” with the reaction to the campaign, which launched in November 2018.

“We know people are more likely to make positive, proactive changes if they’ve made a commitment to do so. It’s also encouraged more yards and owners to speak out about their experiences of strangles and the stigma that sadly still exists around this disease, showing that there is a clear appetite for attitudes to change,” she said.

“The more people continue to share that they have pledged, the more we can nudge standards up so that poor hygiene facilities, absent biosecurity protocols or even keeping quiet about an outbreak will all be consigned to the history books. We want to make changes before an outbreak happens.”

Hartpury University and College, which was affected by strangles in 2018, and Richmond Equestrian Centre, which reopened in October after an outbreak, are among the yards to sign up to the campaign.

A spokesman for Redwings said Richmond’s clear communication on the disease and promotion of the Stamp Out campaign has led to more than 130 owners committing to the pledge.

“Throughout their outbreak their dedication to good biosecurity and willingness to share their experiences to educate others makes Richmond Equestrian Centre a shining example for all yards,” said Ms Vilela.

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“Their openness has not only challenged the stigma around strangles, but has demonstrated to everyone the value they place on protecting their horses from infectious disease – reflected in the amazing support they’ve received from their local equestrian community. We’re delighted that we were able to help support the centre through this very challenging time and look forward to continuing to work with the team there to raise further awareness.”

As part of the campaign the charity held a strangles symposium in March, presented to scientists in Iceland in May and held the first Speak Out on Strangles day 6 July. The spokesman added that the year is not finished yet.

“In December Redwings will be organising a free veterinary seminar for horse owners in South Wales and plans are already under way to make Speak Out On Strangles day even bigger next year.”

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‘Massive’ support as venue reopens following strangles outbreak

Becky Murray — Sat, 05 Oct 2019 06:03:45 +0000

A livery yard and competition centre has re-opened to the public seven weeks after it went on lockdown owing to strangles.

Richmond Equestrian Centre in North Yorkshire announced on 13 August that all upcoming events, including its British Eventing fixture (30 August to 1 September) were cancelled. The centre reopened yesterday (3 October).

Co-owner Abigail Turnbull told H&H five of 26 horses on livery at the centre were diagnosed with the disease.

“Within 10 minutes of receiving the first diagnosis, we went on lockdown,” she said.

“Two days later a second case was confirmed. We have five different yards which we isolated; we knew which horses had been in contact with the initial one and sure enough they were the ones who went down with it.”

Abigail said all horses at the venue are now clear of the disease.

“It’s been quite intense and we’ve been really belts and braces about it,” she said.

“One horse was no longer showing symptoms of strangles and looked fine to the naked eye, but we did a guttural pouch procedure to make sure he had definitely got rid of the infection and it took multiple procedures to get rid of it. Had we not done that he would have turned into a carrier.”

Abigail wants more people to be aware of the facts around strangles.

“It’s about educating people who don’t understand it,” she said. “People can take simple steps like when they go to a competition, giving the temporary stable a quick spray down with disinfectant and not grazing at venues – it’s common sense things, but they’re so important.

“Since having strangles we’ve learnt so much and people need to realise how easy it is to get the infection. Some think if a horse has had it once they can’t get it again – but they can. Or if a horse has had strangles and looks over it, but the owner doesn’t realise it can still become a carrier.”

Richmond Equestrian has taken the Redwings’ pledge to ‘Stamp Out Strangles’. The campaign asks owners and yards to make an online pledge showing their commitment to prevent the disease by taking good biosecurity practices and agreeing to communicate openly about the disease. Richmond has also joined the SRUC Veterinary Services Premium Assured Strangles Scheme, an initiative for yard owners, gaining gold status which means they agree to testing all horses at the yard for the disease annually.

“We’ve been quite vocal about having strangles and have gained respect for doing it that way and for taking a stance. What’s been difficult is the amount of people who said we should have covered it up which I’m gobsmacked at,” said Abigail.

“If we’d opened to the public and let horses come and go the disease is so highly contagious it would have spread like wildfire. Financially it’s been a huge loss, but we’re trying to turn a negative into a positive now.”

The centre is holding an unaffiliated hunter trial on 19 and 20 October with classes from 70cm to 100cm. Entries cost £30 with a starting fee of £10 – discounted for owners who make the Redwings pledge.

“We’ve decided to reduce the start fee from £10 to £5 if people take the pledge and bring their certificates with them. We will also be collecting money for Redwings in donation buckets and hope to make it an annual event,” said Abigail.

“We can’t wait. We’re building cross-country jumps and getting the course ready. All the classes are sponsored and we have £800 in cash prizes.”

Article continued below…

Abigail said public support for the centre had been “massive”.

“We announced on Facebook we were re-opening and the comments have been brilliant. We’ve been inundated with people offering to volunteer at the hunter trials,” she said.

“People are glad that we’ve been honest – it’s horse welfare at the end of the day, it’s not always about making money. We’ve also had fantastic support from our vets, Redwings, the British Horse Society and the British Equestrian Veterinary Association.”

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How to keep infections at bay in the yard

Andrea Oakes — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 08:00:51 +0000

Biosecurity may be a buzzword in veterinary circles, but what does it mean for the horse owner in practical terms?

Put simply, biosecurity refers to the good hygiene practices that prevent the transmission of infectious disease. Looking back at the outbreaks of equine flu and strangles that have ravaged the equestrian population this year, causing sickness and yard closures, the need for better protection is clear.

“Infections are constantly circulating, so the threat is always there,” says Fleur Whitlock MRCVS, who stresses that biosecurity is our first line of defence. “By adopting everyday yard hygiene habits, we can work to ensure that our horses stay healthy and infection-free.”

Protect your premises with some simple steps…

Understand the risks

“Biosecurity is applicable to the whole horse population,” says Fleur, emphasising that it’s not just the big, busy yards that need to worry. “It’s important to remember that infectious disease can be spread through direct and indirect contact.

“Infection is more obviously shared through direct horse-to-horse contact, occurring over the stable door or in the field, or at a show or event,” she explains. “But those stay-at-home horses are at risk, too, as we can spread infection on our hands as we touch or handle different animals or move between yards.”

Identify the essentials

The “gold standard” yard biosecurity measures are outlined in the Horserace Betting Levy Board codes of practice (codes.hblb.org.uk). Is it practical to implement all the recommendations, on a regular basis?

“There are many hygiene and management habits that should be undertaken daily,” says Fleur, who highlights examples such as disinfecting feed and water buckets, and cleaning your hands between touching different animals. “While the real benefits are gained when habits are carried out at all times, some may need to be adapted to your individual situation and escalated at times of increased risk. It takes time to make change, but persevere so that good hygiene becomes second nature.”

Draw up a plan

If you haven’t done so already, set out your yard biosecurity plan.

“Discuss your approach with everyone involved, including grooms and liveries, making sure that everyone knows the plan and sticks to it,” says Fleur. “This includes yard visitors, such as vets, farriers and clients.”

Keep things clean

Washing hands — even between horses on the same yard — will help halt the spread of infection, says Fleur. Another option is to use antibacterial hand gel placed at strategic points around the yard, such as the entrance gate and outside stables.

“Disinfect your hands and ideally change into clean clothes when dealing with groups of horses that would not normally have any contact,” she adds. “Designate horses to certain groups and keep these the same at turnout time and when stabling. Each horse should have his own equipment, such as headcollar, grooming kit and buckets, clearly labelled.”

Isolate new arrivals

“A new horse is a common cause of an infection outbreak,” says Fleur, who recommends a 21-day isolation period — even if the newcomer appears outwardly healthy. “Ensure that he is vaccinated against equine flu, but remember that he will only have protection from two weeks after the second vaccine in a primary course,” she adds. “Ask your vet about any tests for infectious disease, such as the blood test that can identify carriers of strangles.”

Be alert for signs

Reduced appetite? Runny nose? Not quite himself? These are all signs that a horse may be ill.

“Additional signs that suggest he has an infection could include lethargy, coughing, swollen lymph nodes in the throat area and a temperature of 38.5°C or above,” explains Fleur. “Taking and recording a horse’s rectal temperature daily is advisable, especially at times of high risk such as after attending a show or if another horse at the yard has been diagnosed with an infection.

“If you suspect infection, isolate the individual immediately and call your vet.”

Keep jabs current

“Flu vaccination is extremely important. It does not always prevent all clinical signs, but will reduce their severity — limiting the amount of virus a horse can spread and the length of time he spreads it for,” says Fleur, explaining that vaccination on a yard-wide basis is most effective. “Ask your vet about appropriate vaccines for other contagious diseases, such as equine herpes virus [EHV].”

Show common sense

Mixing horses that do not normally have contact ramps up the risk.

“Avoid horse-to-horse or -human contact at shows or events,” says Fleur, who also advises steering clear of communal equipment, grazing areas and water troughs. “Clean and disinfect temporary stabling before use and make sure that neighbouring horses can’t touch each other. Once home, disinfect vehicles and equipment — and monitor your horse for signs of illness over the coming weeks.

“Cancel any forthcoming travel plans if infection is suspected, or diagnosed at the yard.”

Comminicate

Should the worst happen, what next?

“Infection can occur, despite the best efforts,” says Fleur. “Outbreaks can be stressful for all involved, but it’s important to be open and honest with other owners and surrounding yards. Close monitoring of all horses and immediate isolation of infected animals will help to contain disease.”

Ref Horse & Hound; 19 September 2019

Popular horse trials cancelled after strangles case

Becky Murray — Thu, 15 Aug 2019 12:37:24 +0000

Richmond Equestrian Centre in North Yorkshire has cancelled all upcoming events, including its British Eventing fixture, after a case of strangles on its livery yard.

Richmond Horse Trials (2) was due to take place on 30 August to 1 September.

Co-owner Abigail Turner told H&H they were devastated to announce the cancellation of the BE event, but emphasised that “horse welfare comes first”.

“The vet came out to a livery’s horse on Tuesday (13 August) which had a slightly snotty nose and temperature. Because we had the BE event coming up and especially with the current equine flu situation, we had the horse tested for flu and strangles as an extra precaution. Never in a million years did we expect it would test positive for strangles,” she said.

“The horse was moved into quarantine immediately and was treated with antibiotics. It is no longer showing signs but we will be doing more blood tests and a guttural pouch wash to make sure the antibiotics have treated the infection.”

Abigail said no other horses at the centre have shown signs but all will be blood tested.

“We are very tight on biosecurity so we don’t know how strangles got on to the yard – we’re at a loss. Our vet has said we’ll never know, it could have been carried in by a horse that’s picked it up somewhere or a person,” she said.

“The bottom line is its bad luck. Everybody in the equine community needs to be tight on biosecurity. We have done our very best to keep it contained and are on full lockdown.”

Abigail said the centre was expecting record numbers for the BE event.

“We were very low on numbers and we lost money at our May event. We have thrown everything into the September event – we’ve spent thousands on the cross-country course, the ground is in amazing condition, we have 50 sponsors.

“We were so upset because we had a low entry before the ballot date and put a plea out to say if you’re going to enter to let us know and we were overwhelmed by the numbers received. Yesterday when we cancelled we had 818 entries, and 50 on the waiting list, but obviously horse welfare comes first,” she said.

Article continued below…

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

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The centre is expected to be on lockdown until 3 September.

“We’re working with our vets and other local vets. We obviously won’t be doing anything until we get the green light, but when we do we plan to run some one-day events and show cross. We might look at doing some intermediate and novice cross-country schooling over the jumps that never got used,” said Abigail.

“We’ve had massive support from people – it’s been quite overwhelming. Everyone is behind us ready for the next event.”

All BE entries will be refunded in full and the BE100 regional final will be relocated to Alnwick Ford International on 28 to 29 September.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Riders and yards urged to join forces to help beat strangles

Becky Murray — Sat, 11 May 2019 06:03:42 +0000

The equestrian community is being urged to take part in a national “Speak Out On Strangles” day as part of the Redwings’ Stamp Out Strangles campaign.

Yards and individual owners are invited to sign up to the initiative, on Saturday 6 July, to show support for fighting the infectious disease.

A spokesman for the charity said: “From fun rides to tack sales, games to picnics; yard managers can get involved by hosting activities for their clients, which can be used as a platform to share top tips on biosecurity and to encourage more horse owners to take the Redwings’ Stamp Out Strangles pledge.

“To date, almost 400 horse owners and 110 yard managers nationwide have already pledged to take proactive steps to protect their horses from infectious disease and to tackle the stigma sadly still associated with strangles.”

Yard managers who sign up to take part in the “speak out” day will receive a free goodie bag including resources to support them on the day, and free entry to a prize draw to win tickets to Your Horse Live. Individual owners can download posters and are encouraged to show their support by taking selfies with their horses and sharing on social media with the hashtag #SpeakOutOnStranglesDay.

They also can share their experiences of the disease on Redwings’ online strangles hub.

Redwings’ visitor centres will be hosting activities through the day and the charity’s head of welfare and behaviour Nic de Brauwere will be hosting a Facebook live session answering questions about infectious disease prevention.

The charity’s education and campaigns manager Andie Vilela said: “In a recent survey we discovered that negative attitudes towards strangles were a key barrier for yard managers and horse owners when it came to taking proactive preventative measures. With the Speak Out On Strangles day we want to break down those barriers and show that such attitudes are a thing of the past. Better hygiene and screening practices are already becoming the norm and with concerns around the equine flu outbreaks not abating, the appetite is there within the equestrian community to do more to protect horses.

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(Image credit: Redwings)

Horse owners unite to fight infectious disease

Those who have signed up show a ‘clear appetite for change’

(Image credit: Redwings)

New strangles vaccine to benefit horses from next year

(Image credit: Redwings)

“This special day of action is designed to provide yard managers with the opportunity to have those positive conversations about better biosecurity or even introduce updated screening protocols to their clients in a fun and friendly way. Whatever activity they would like to host – whether it’s a relaxing hack or simply encouraging more people to join our campaign – it all helps to show that if everyone works together we can stamp out strangles.”

The day is part of an “exciting year” of events planned by the charity to highlight the vital importance of biosecurity including free veterinary seminars, and a strangles symposium held in March at the University of Edinburgh Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in March where industry experts discussed how to encourage people to take action against the disease.

Owners can sign up to the Speak Out on Strangles Day on 6 July at Redwings’ website.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

New strangles vaccine to benefit horses from next year

Becky Murray — Tue, 02 Apr 2019 06:03:54 +0000

A promising vaccine said to work “really well” against strangles is expected in 2020.

Protein-based Strangvac is due to be released in the UK next year following successful trials.

Dr Andrew Waller, head of bacteriology research at the Animal Health Trust, said the vaccine had taken a long time to develop and while there is “still room for improvement” to get the equine industry to embrace it, it will be a “real help” for people worried about the disease, of which 600 outbreaks are estimated in the UK each year.

“Where the vaccine comes in, is with naïve horses who haven’t had strangles – it reduces the number of horses who become carriers, and then we can gradually make a difference over time,” said Dr Waller. “The catch is the vaccine only has a short duration of two months’ immunity.”

Dr Waller said the vaccine can have an important role at “high risk” events despite the short duration of immunity.

“If your horse is going to a competition, for example, you can vaccinate and it will be protected really well and be much less likely to bring strangles back to the yard which will be really useful,” said Dr Waller. “Although the horse isn’t fully protected for the 10 months after their first course, they should be less susceptible for that period.”

Unlike the current vaccine, equilis strep E – which is not widely used – Strangvac is safe for intramuscular injection and will allow blood tests to differentiate between a vaccinated horse and an infected horse.

(Image credit: Lucy Merrell)

Horse owners unite to fight infectious disease

Those who have signed up show a ‘clear appetite for change’

(Image credit: Lucy Merrell)

New vaccine successfully protects horses from strangles

The development of the vaccine is hoped to have benefits to the health of horses around the world

(Image credit: Lucy Merrell)

Dr Waller said it would be possible to “eradicate” the disease in the future if more horses were identified as carriers.

“It’s very easy during an outbreak to say my horse didn’t have strangles and not get it checked out but actually those horses could be the carriers who then trigger the next outbreak. If we were screening horses before they moved around to identify and treat carriers we could knock strangles on the head but it’s not happening and part of the reason for that is it isn’t being recognised as a serious problem,” he said.

“It’s important horses can move around and that’s where vaccination can play a really important role in improving herd immunity and reducing the number of cases we have in the future.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Horse owners unite to fight infectious disease

Eleanor Jones — Thu, 21 Mar 2019 17:06:47 +0000

Hundreds of horse owners and yard managers have vowed to fight infectious equine disease across the UK by pledging support to Redwings’ Stamp Out Strangles campaign.

The charity launched its pledge on strangles last November, asking the horse world to join forces to promote best biosecurity practice to help rid the country of strangles for good.

Since then, more than 370 owners have signed up, agreeing to champion better biosecurity measures, communicate openly if their horse could have been in contact with strangles and clear horses of being carriers if they become infected.

The 99 yard managers who have pledged their support have promised to reduce the risk of strangles by screening new arrivals, creating yard protocols for clients and responding immediately if strangles is suspected.

Redwings is “thrilled” by the response, as those who have signed up show a “clear appetite for change”, especially in the wake of this year’s equine flu outbreaks.

The charity’s education and campaigns manager Andie Vilela said: “We’re thrilled not just by the level of support but also the conversations about biosecurity that have arisen from it. So many people have shared stories of their experiences with strangles and the stigma they’ve faced – some particularly heartbreaking – demonstrating a clear desire for meaningful change to happen.

“A recent survey we conducted of livery yards showed 68% have some form of screening process, which is really encouraging. But just 13% of horse owners said they take measures to protect their horses so we know there’s a lot more to be done.”

The campaign aims to provide accessible, practical advice, information and resources, to “make it as simple as possible for yard managers and horse owners to work together to proactively improve hygiene practices”.

“With equine flu hitting the headlines, more people are talking about the importance of good biosecurity so don’t get left behind,” Ms Vilela added.

All those who sign up get regular updates and tips, while the charity is also planning a year of events and activities highlighting the importance of good biosecurity, including veterinary seminars and a national day of action.

Horse owners can also access a map of yards which have signed up to the pledge so they can see which businesses are committed to helping protect their horse from strangles.

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Rob Richardson, owner of Whiterails Livery in Norfolk, signed up to the pledge.

Mr Richardson said: “With new housing, we’re getting lots of new people moving into the area and bringing their horses. I went along to one of Redwings’ strangles seminars and realised we should be doing more about our biosecurity. Our former yard manager had already put measures in place but the campaign has helped us look at what we were doing and build on it.

“Good biosecurity is so important. If we had strangles, it would close us down for a long time – you can’t be too careful. I hope this campaign goes on to inspire others to do more.”

For more information, visit the Redwings website.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Owners urged to act to help ‘stamp out strangles’

Becky Murray — Fri, 09 Nov 2018 13:13:14 +0000

A welfare charity is urging owners to join its fight to “stamp out strangles” in the UK by signing up to its campaign.

Redwings Horse Sanctuary is launching an online pledge system for owners and yard managers as part of its new Stamp Out Strangles online hub giving free information and advice on the disease.

Strangles is caused by the streptococcus equi bacteria, which can cause horses to suffer from large pus-filled abscesses in their throat and neck. The highly contagious respiratory infection is transmitted though direct contact with an infected horse or indirectly, through contamination in the surrounding area. Although it is estimated that there are around 600 outbreaks each year in the UK it is difficult to be sure as it is not a notifiable disease, which means outbreaks do not need to be reported to the government.

Owners that pledge are agreeing to champion good biosecutity practices, communicate openly if their horse may have been in contact with strangles, identify if their horse is a strangles carrier through testing and work with vets to treat them as necessary.

Yard managers that pledge will be agreeing to reduce the strangles risk at their yard through screening new arrivals, producing a yard protocol for their clients and responding immediately if a strangles case is suspected.

Redwings’ education and campaigns manager Andie Vilela said: “As well as being a miserable experience for the horse, an outbreak on a yard, riding school or other equestrian business can bring activities to a standstill for several weeks and be financially devastating.”

The campaign was inspired after the charity recorded its first strangles outbreak in 25 years in 2015.

Redwings Horse Sanctuary confirms strangles outbreak

Rehoming has been temporarily suspended after an outbreak of strangles at the charity's Piggots site in South Norfolk

(Image credit: Future)

Redwings’ strangles quarantine lifted

The last strangles quarantine zones at Redwings Horse Sanctuary have been lifted following an outbreak in February

(Image credit: Future)

“We understand it can be hard to make changes to hygiene practices, especially while fitting busy lives around caring for horses. However, we know the appetite to improve biosecurity standards is out there. Over 90% of more than 2,000 horse owners we surveyed in 2016 said strangles should be more of a priority, and 80% said they would choose a livery yard that screens new arrivals for the disease,” said Andie.

“With the launch of the pledge and our brand new online hub, we hope this will give horse owners and yard managers the impetus and support to make meaningful changes – whether it’s the introduction of routine temperature checking or formulating a yard screening protocol with a vet – so together we can stay one step ahead of strangles and stamp out this disease for good.”

Owners will have access to a map of livery yards who have signed up to the pledge and will receive regular campaign updates and the latest guidance.

To make the pledge and access the new Stamp Out Strangles online hub, visit www.redwings.org.uk/strangles

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Show centre update: restrictions lifted after all-clear from strangles

Becky Murray — Tue, 16 Oct 2018 16:33:15 +0000

Hartpury Equestrian Centre is to resume competitions and is no longer under restrictions following a recent case of confirmed strangles.

The centre announced on 1 October that it was cancelling all its planned events after one horse had tested positive for the disease.

A spokesman for Hartpury Equestrian Centre said: “The affected horse was isolated and we worked with vets to ensure appropriate steps were put in place, including reduced horse movement and the cancelling of competitions at Hartpury, to minimise the risks to the wider equine population.

“We have now received the results of blood tests and are delighted to announce that we have been given the all-clear by vets. They have advised us that we are no longer under restrictions and horses are able to move freely. Horses are able to move off-site for half term and take part in competitions, and equine events at Hartpury will go ahead as scheduled.

“While a clear result comes with a huge amount of relief, we will continue to be vigilant.”

(Image credit: Lucy Merrell)

Strangles: what is it, how to spot the signs, plus a new vaccine to help protect your horse

(Image credit: Lucy Merrell)

Popular show centre cancels equine events after strangles outbreak

The centre confirmed it had a case of strangles and was taking precautions to avoid spreading the infection

(Image credit: Lucy Merrell)

Strangles is caused by a bacteria called streptococcus equi, which can cause horses to suffer from large pus-filled abscesses in their throat and neck. The highly contagious respiratory infection is transmitted though direct contact with an infected horse or indirectly, through contamination in the surrounding area. It is estimated that there are around 600 outbreaks each year in the UK and it is not a notifiable disease, which means outbreaks do not need to be reported to the government.

The centre said on social media that competitions will resume this Friday evening (19 October) with unaffiliated showjumping and British Showjumping events taking place on Saturday and Sunday (20 and 21 October) respectively.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone affected by the necessary restrictions for their cooperation, support and patience during this period,” said the spokesman.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Popular show centre cancels equine events after strangles outbreak

Becky Murray — Mon, 01 Oct 2018 12:19:18 +0000

Hartpury Equestrian Centre has cancelled all equine events for two weeks after confirming a case of strangles at the popular venue.

The centre released the news via a post on its Facebook page on 28 September, which has been shared more than 2,300 times.

Pro vice-chancellor at Hartpury University and Hartpury College, Rosie Scott-Ward said: “Please be aware that we have a confirmed case of strangles bacterial infection at Hartpury Equestrian Centre affecting a horse.

“The horse is in isolation and we are working with the vets to ensure appropriate steps are in place to minimise risks to the wider equine population. This includes reducing horse movement, cancelling commercial bookings/events and ensuring everyone is aware.

“We feel it is important to be precautionary, considering our standing within the equine industry, and to minimise risks as much as possible. These actions are likely to be in place until 10 October 2018.”

The centre plays host to more than 60 competitions throughout the year including the NAF Five Star Hartpury International Horse Trials and the Hartpury Festival of Dressage. It is scheduled to host a lecture demo on 15 November with Caroline Moore, British Eventing national coach and world champion eventer Ros Canter.

The centre said that equine events are cancelled until 10 October, or otherwise advised, although the centre’s dog agility event will run following advice and guidance from their vet.

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Strangles is caused by a bacteria called streptococcus equi, which causes horses to suffer from large pus-filled abscesses in their throat and neck. The highly contagious bacterial respiratory infection is transmitted though direct contact with an infected horse or indirectly through contamination in the surrounding area. It is estimated that there are around 600 outbreaks each year in the UK and it is not a notifiable disease.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Blue Cross equine centre under lockdown due to strangles

Sarah Radford — Sat, 02 Jun 2018 13:01:34 +0000

Blue Cross Burford’s equine unit is currently under lockdown after a rescued Shetland showed signs of strangles a month after arrival.

Skewbald youngster Little Timmy Tiptoes had already undergone the standard four-week isolation period for new arrivals when he showed signs of illness.

The 90cm Shetland was suffering from a severe nasal discharge and had a dangerously high temperature of 41 degrees.

After being admitted to the local veterinary practice as an emergency, he was screened for strangles and both a blood test and a nasal swab proved positive. He was also suffering from anaemia, which has compromised his ability to fight the infection.

The pony was originally rescued by the RSPCA before being taken in by the Oxfordshire rehabilitation and rehoming centre last month.

Blue Cross Burford’s horse manager Vicki Alford said: “On arrival Timmy was in a really sad state. He had overgrown and curled up hooves, was riddled with lice and very underweight.

“The transporter who brought him to Burford described the place where he was found as horrific — apparently there was no food or water and they were stood in mud up to their tummies. How they survived is anyone’s guess.”

Continued below…

(Image credit: The Blue Cross)

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Biosecurity: how to protect your horse from diseases

Following Timmy’s diagnosis, the Blue Cross implemented their disease outbreak protocol to prevent the strangles from spreading.

The highly contagious bacterial respiratory infection is transmitted though direct contact with an infected horse or indirectly through contamination in the surrounding area.

The equine section of the Burford centre is currently closed to the public, with strict biosecurity measures in place. The small animal centre for dogs, cats and small pets remains open.

“Timmy is now back at the Burford Centre and is much brighter. His temperature is back to normal and the nasal discharge has cleared but he’s not out of the woods yet,” Vicky added.

“He is in still in isolation, but we hope our stringent bio-security will have stopped an outbreak it in its tracks and that the horse unit will be up and running again soon.”

Strangles outbreak gives area festival riders more time to qualify

Rachael Turner — Fri, 04 May 2018 16:51:42 +0000

A British Dressage (BD) area festival fixture has been rescheduled following a strangles outbreak.

Rockrose Equestrian Sport Centre in Haddington, Scotland, announced this week that the yard was on lockdown following a confirmed case of the highly contagious disease.

BD has since announced that a new date has been found for the festival, which will now run on 28-29 July at Rockrose.

The organising team will transfer any existing entries over to the new date, or competitors can withdraw and a full refund will be processed.

“It would be appreciated if anyone who doesn’t wish to be moved to the new date could withdraw as quickly as possible,” added a BD spokesman.

Rockrose will take entries from new competitors and riders in the region now have until 23 June to complete their qualification.

“It’s great we can get a date rearranged so quickly,” said BD’s Emma Stewart. “Huge thanks to James [Cunningham, Rockrose owner] and his team under tricky circumstances plus the BD office for moving quickly.

“I hope the venue can be back operating shortly once they’ve been declared free of strangles. It’s an unfortunate situation but now riders in the area have some additional time to secure an all-important Petplan Equine qualification ticket.”

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(Image credit: Kevin Sparrow)

Area festival cancelled due to strangles outbreak

The centre has suspended all equine movement and competition with immediate effect

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To view the schedule visit https://britishdressage.online/schedule/102562

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Also inside this week’s edition, 75 years of Royal Windsor Horse Show magic, ‘big dreamer’ sets up eventing grand slam bid and investment sparks debate over grass versus surfaces.

Area festival cancelled due to strangles outbreak

Rachael Turner — Wed, 02 May 2018 11:22:45 +0000

A British Dressage (BD) area festival in Scotland has been put on hold following an outbreak of strangles.

Yesterday (1 May) Rockrose Equestrian Sports Centre, Haddington, told BD it had a confirmed case of the highly contagious infection at its livery yard.

Rockrose has suspended all equine movement and competition with immediate effect. This includes the area festival due to run from 11–13 May.

James Cunningham at Rockrose and BD are working to secure a date later in the year for the competition.

“The Rockrose team has acted quickly and professionally in activating crisis plans in the circumstances and we hope they can bring the outbreak to an end quickly,” said BD’s head of sport operations, Di Harvey.

“We’re looking at a few available dates to reschedule the area festival and will communicate the change via our website and social media as soon as a decision is made.

“For those in the area of Rockrose, the venue is urging you to follow its social media feeds where they are being open with the facts and giving situation updates to help with any concerns.”

Continued below…

(Image credit: stock image)

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Area Festivals

The area festivals are being held throughout the UK this year from May to September, with classes from prelim to inter II.

The top 10 combinations from each section go to one of eight area festival finals, which take place in September and October.

For more information visit www.britishdressage.co.uk/competitions/area_festivals

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

This week’s edition features 75 years of Royal Windsor Horse Show magic, Oliver Townend’s eventing grand slam bid and debate over grass versus surfaces

Strangles: the latest research on the disease and what you need to know H&H VIP

Karen Coumbe — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 08:00:44 +0000

More than 600 outbreaks of strangles are diagnosed in the UK each year, according to a recent report from Newmarket’s Animal Health Trust (AHT), making it one of the most frequently identified infectious diseases of horses worldwide.

Strangles is not a notifiable disease in Britain, so outbreaks do not have to be reported to the government. Nor is there any legal requirement for quarantine restrictions to be put in place.

There can be serious welfare concerns for affected horses, along with considerable

financial and time-consuming consequences for any affected yard. Yet this is a disease that only rarely affects people. Looking atthe bigger picture, strangles is not considered of sufficient significant national importance for the government to become involved.

Essentially, this means that horse owners and the veterinary profession must work together to “break the strangles hold”, as the AHT puts it so effectively.

The good news is that vets are making progress towards eradicating strangles. Research by scientists at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, the country’s Karolinska Institute, the AHT and elsewhere has resulted in a new protein-based vaccine that may soon become available. Together with clearer understanding of the disease, including DNA analysis of different strains, this should enhance equine health in the coming years.

The AHT recently organised a key research review workshop, while the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine has released a revised consensus statement to replace previous guidelines issued in 2005.

Drawn up by a worldwide expert veterinary panel, the statement is aimed at vets, but has been made accessible to all — as any increase in awareness to reduce this global problem is worthwhile. It is available online (see right) and is worth a read.

Protocols to manage ongoing infection can be tedious and prolonged, involving the closing of yards, a range of tests and the separation of horses into groups, depending on their risk. It is far better to focus on prevention to lessen the effects of the disease on horses and the financial and emotional costs to owners.

ERA558 drinking PRE (Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

Strangles: what you need to know

Strangles is an infection of the upper respiratory tract, caused by the bacteria Streptococcus equi. The disease will kill around one in 100.
An infected horse will usually develop a fever, followed by lymph node abscesses around the head and neck area. Some horses show milder signs. If a horse is isolated as soon as he develops a raised temperature, this will reduce the risk of spread.
Most horses will “shed” bacteria for two to three weeks from nasal discharge or burst abscesses. Horses may be infectious for at least six weeks after this discharge of pus has dried up, but around one in 10 cases will have a persistent guttural pouch infection. This means they remain carriers and will intermittently shed strangles bacteria, despite appearing perfectly well.
Transmission from seemingly healthy carrier horses is as much of a problem — or possibly more so — than spread from those who look ill and are discharging pus. In short, this means that any horse must be considered a potential risk.
Effective strangles control measures involve detection, segregation and treatment of carrier animals to prevent new outbreaks.
Limiting exposure has to be the best method to prevent strangles, although appropriate quarantine can be challenging at yards where there is frequent movement of horses during breeding, racing or show seasons. Sensible biosecurity measures should include good yard hygiene and the separation and screening of all new arrivals for three weeks. If there is an outbreak, it is wise to isolate infected animals until they are confirmed as clear by the vet.
The bacteria that cause strangles can linger in water for four to six weeks. This highlights the risk of horses drinking from a shared water trough, where a carrier can shed millions of bacteria and easily infect others.
Antibiotics can benefit some severe cases, but should not be used as a preventative measure and may be unnecessary in many situations.

Ref: Horse & Hound; 5 April 2018

New vaccine successfully protects horses from strangles

Rachael Turner — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 12:28:16 +0000

An “extremely exciting” vaccine against strangles could be on the market within two years.

Scientists from the Animal Health Trust (AHT), the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, the Karolinska Institute and Intervacc AB, have developed protein-based vaccine Strangvac, to prevent equines contracting the highly contagious disease.

The group trialled the vaccine on 16 horses and its findings were published in scientific journal Vaccine.

Strangvac protected 13 of the equines from strangles. They were exposed to the infection and then monitored twice daily for the onset of clinical signs of disease and temperatures were recorded daily as the primary indicator of infection.

None of the animals developed adverse reactions to the vaccination.

“We are delighted to have shown that our Strangvac vaccine protected over 80% of horses from this dreadful disease,” said Professor Jan-Ingmar Flock, chief executuve of Intervacc AB, the company that produced the vaccine.

“Strangles is a scourge of the equine world and the development of Strangvac has the potential to prevent many thousands of horses from falling ill each year.”

Strangles is caused by a bacteria called streptococcus equi, which causes horses to suffer from large pus-filled abscesses in their throat and neck.

With an estimated 600 outbreaks of strangles each year in the UK alone, the development of the vaccine is hoped to have benefits to the health of horses around the world.

“Strangvac is an extremely exciting vaccine,” added Dr Andrew Waller, head of bacteriology at the AHT.

“The vaccine was designed using information from sequencing the DNA of streptococcus equi and highlights the potential that the genome-era heralds for improving the health of animals and people.

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Redwings aims to increase awareness of the disease and aid its prevention, with the ultimate goal being eradicating strangles in

“Improving the health of horses is a core aim of the AHT and we are proud to have helped make this vaccine a reality towards finally breaking the hold this disease currently has on our horses.”

Professor Flock anticipates that Strangvac will be available for use in 2020.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

Shetland given ‘all clear’ after three months in isolation

Caroline Bankes — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 17:08:57 +0000

A Shetland pony found abandoned with advanced strangles has made a full recovery after three months of being treated in complete isolation.

Vesta was rescued by residents in Buckinghamshire in July with the help of action group SAFE.

The piebald pony had abscesses bursting on her face and throat from the strangles as well as suffering from a severe case of ringworm.

“She was one of the worst cases of treatable disease we’ve ever seen,” said Jeanette Allen, chief executive of The Horse Trust.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Vesta spent three weeks at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) having the abscesses flushed several times a day.

She was then kept in isolation at The Horse Trust’s centre in Buckinghamshire while vets made sure she wasn’t a carrier of the bacterium.

The first test was positive so Vesta needed to have her guttural pouch washed out again with a special antibacterial gel.

Further tests analysed by the Animal Health Trust still showed signs of infection so the process was repeated until a negative result was achieved.

In September Vesta got the first all clear test, this was still negative when repeated and new blood tests confirmed she was in the clear.

The treatment means she now has immunity to new infection for seven years.

Continued below…

(Image credit: The Horse Trust)

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The pony, believed to be four to six years old, was turned out in November in a field with six of the charity’s 10-strong Shetland herd.

She will be settled in over the winter and is hoped to find a new home after being handled in the spring.

“Vesta is proof that strangles is treatable, manageable and there is no need for hysteria,” said Ms Allen.

None of the charity’s 130 other horses showed any signs of the disease while Vesta was being treated.

“Horses cannot get strangles by walking past a yard where there is an infected pony; it is not airborne,” said Ms Allen.

She said infection is passed by nose-to-nose contact, sharing water troughs, grazing and by people carrying the infection on their hands or clothing.

Riders are encouraged to avoid letting their horses nuzzle others at shows and livery yards are urged to ask for blood test from owners before new horses are brought in as a precaution.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

Bodmin pony rescue centre on lockdown due to strangles

Caroline Bankes — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 11:56:33 +0000

A charity that rescues moorland ponies on Bodmin has put in place self-imposed quarantine measures after an outbreak of strangles was confirmed on the yard.

“This is a devastating blow for a small charity like ourselves particularly coming into winter,” said Shelley Oldfield, who founded Bodmin Moorland Pony Rehabilitation four years ago.

Emergency bio security measures were put into place after Storm, a 15-month-old 11hh colt was diagnosed with strangles on 17 November.

The youngster had a slight runny nose and looked a bit under the weather but had no other major symptoms of the disease.

Inititally the vet thought it he was suffering from a post-viral infection after being castrated a few weeks earlier, but when routinely tested was found to have strangles.

The charity has no idea where the disease came from as Storm has been with them for some time.

Further tests have confirmed four of the nine other ponies on the yard have now contracted the infection.

The positive cases are having regular guttural flushing to test and clear the infection. This will be ongoing until all the ponies are given the all-clear and the yard is able to lift the quarantine measures.

“We need three consecutive weekly results from the last positive test identified to lift the quarantine,” said Ms Oldfield.

“The outbreak couldn’t have happened at a worst time. All deliveries need to be dropped off away from the yard and no other ponies can be taken in or rehomed.”

Continued below…

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Major three-day show cancelled after strangles scare

A horse stabled at the venue had been exposed to the highly contagious infection

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The charity has 14 ponies kept on another site, all of which are showing no signs of any symptoms but there are reports of other suspected cases in north Cornwall.

“Strangles is such a taboo subject but if treated responsibly it can be managed,” said Ms Oldfield. “Storm is fine now and happily skipping about in the field.”

The charity has launched a crowdfunding appeal to help cover the escalating vets’ bills. Initial tests have been covered by donations from loyal supporters.

“We’re a tiny charity, but the support we’ve had has been overwhelming,” said Ms Oldfield.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

Major three-day show cancelled after strangles scare

Rachael Turner — Mon, 04 Dec 2017 18:48:58 +0000

Showjumping events including a major three-day show have been cancelled at Hartpury due to a strangles scare.

A horse stabled at the Gloucester venue had been exposed to the highly contagious infection.

The animal in question is undergoing further tests and, although it had not shown any signs of strangles, forthcoming events at Hartpury have been cancelled as a precaution.

The events include the centre’s Showjumping Spectacular. (8-10 December)

News of the potential strangles case was shared on Hartpury’s Facebook page on Friday (1 December).

“We have taken expert veterinary advice, and as a precautionary measure we have decided to cancel our forthcoming showjumping events,” said a Hartpury spokesman.

“Regrettably, this includes the Showjumping Spectacular, for which we will refund existing entrants and hospitality tickets.”

The Showjumping Spectacular was due to feature two rings of showjumping, as well as shopping and entertainment.

The annual event’s main class, the big tour grand prix, attracted stars such as Louise Whitaker, Matthew Sampson and Laura Renwick last year.

Continued below…

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Unaffiliated showjumping, due to take place on 2 December at Hartpury, was also cancelled.

Strangles advice

Horses, ponies and donkeys of all types and ages can be affected by strangles, but young horses typically develop more severe signs.

Yards that have an outbreak are recommended to share the news openly with the local equestrian community, rather than trying to keep it under wraps, in order to prevent wider infection.

A yard with an outbreak of strangles should limit contact with external horses as much as possible. Isolation should last for up to a month after the last case occurs.

From horse to hoarse: how strangles has helped unravel sore throats

Lucy Elder — Fri, 10 Nov 2017 06:48:13 +0000

Strangles research has helped scientists discover how bacteria that causes sore throats survives in humans.

The process of unravelling the way bacteria cause disease has traditionally needed to be carried out one gene at a time.

But scientists at the Animal Health Trust (AHT) have discovered a method that enabled every gene in streptococcus equi, the bacteria that causes strangles, to be tested at once.

Meanwhile, world-leading scientists at the Houston Methodist Research Institute were trying to find out about which of 1,800 genes in streptococcus pyogenes are responsible for it infecting people and living in their throats.

Streptococcus pyogenes is responsible for 600 million cases of pharyngitis in humans each year.

The bacterium is also responsible for 100 million cases of other diseases, including scarlet fever, acute rheumatic fever and the flesh-eating infection necrotising fasciitis.

The technique developed by the AHT was transferred to the Houston laboratory, where scientists found it worked as well on the human disease as its closely-related equine cousin.

They quickly identified 92 of its 1,800 genes that were needed by the bug to grow in human saliva in the lab, which replicated the first step on the path to causing illness in people.

“We are delighted that a technique developed at the AHT to learn more about streptococcus equi and strangles in horses has provided new results that could benefit people too,” said Dr Andrew Waller, head of bacteriology at the AHT.

“We have learnt a huge amount about our bug through following the work being done on human diseases, and it is great to be able to give something back in return.

“This study highlights the similarities of animal and human pathogens.

“We hope that our technique will also prove useful for the study and prevention of other diseases, regardless of the animal they affect.”

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Dr James Musser, professor of pathology and genome medicine at the Houston Methodist Research Institute, added the ability to establish the importance of every gene in the human disease within one experiment “has the potential to accelerate research” into this pathogen.

“In follow on tests, we were immediately able to confirm that six of these new genes really did affect growth in human saliva,” he said.

“[This suggests] that this new information has exciting potential for developing novel therapeutics and vaccines with which to improve human health.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

Stand up to strangles: ‘bold’ campaign wins national award

Rachael Turner — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 14:54:48 +0000

Redwings Horse Sanctuary has received a national award for its campaign to encourage owners to speak out on strangles.

The charity was named winner of the health and welfare category at the Animal Health Trust’s (AHT) UK Equestrian Awards, held at the London Marriott Hotel, yesterday evening (31 October).

Redwings was praised for the boldness of its ‘Stamp out strangles’ campaign, which aims to increase awareness of strangles and its prevention by removing the stigma associated with the disease.

The campaign encouraged effective biosecurity practices among owners with the ultimate aim of eradicating the disease in the UK.

“We’re absolutely delighted to have been recognised for our ‘Stamp out strangles’ campaign and wish to thank the Animal Health Trust for its support, both during our outbreak and for our ongoing campaign work,” said Redwings chief executive Lynn Cutress.

“Our own experience of a strangles outbreak affected every team in the charity; I am so proud of everyone for their unwavering dedication and support at this challenging time, and I am honoured to be accepting this award for each and every one of them as well as those who continue to lead the way in encouraging owners to speak out about strangles.

“At the time of our outbreak we felt it was essential for us to speak out immediately and continued to do so with the launch of our survey in 2016. While our herd is now disease-free, the battle rages on to remove the shroud of shame and, sometimes, ambivalence associated with strangles which sadly still allows this diseases to exist.”

The charity’s own outbreak was at one of its Norfolk farms in February 2015. At the worst point, 30 horses tested positive for strangles, many more required testing and quarantine zones were in operation resulting in costs of over £4,000 a week to contain, manage and treat the disease.

In April 2016, Redwings launched a strangles survey – which was completed by more than 2,000 horse owners – to assess attitudes to the disease and biosecurity practices.

The findings, which were presented at this year’s National Equine Forum, revealed that while there was a demand among horse owners for improved biosecurity and investment in screening, misconceptions and myths about how strangles is contracted and its preventability were common.

Redwings is continuing to share these findings with the equine veterinary community, while a free strangles information and prevention pack for livery yards and horse owners is available to download from its website.

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“The AHT has worked closely with Redwings for over two decades on better understanding the persistence of streptococcus equi, the bug responsible for strangles,” said Dr Andrew Waller, head of bacteriology at the AHT.

“The AHT’s scientists and diagnostic laboratory staff worked closely with Redwings in 2015 and together we have learned valuable lessons to better prepare owners and yards in the future.

“The AHT applauds Redwings openness in publicising that it had strangles, and its thoroughness and timeliness in dealing with the problem – we think this is a great example for others in the horse sector, which is why they are worthy winners of this year’s award.”

2017 winners

The other winners of the 2017 AHT awards were:

Bet Solutions international racing award – Trainer John Gosden
Harvey Spack Field dressage award – Para team trainer Michel Assouline
British Showjumping award – Rider Oliver Fletcher
Eventing award- Britain’s 2017 European Championships team: Nicola Wilson, Oliver Townend, Tina Cook and Rosalind Canter
Dr Reginald Wooldridge veterinary achievement award – Vet Anthony Stirk
LGT Vestra under-25 star of the future award – Dressage rider Charlotte Fry
Animal Health Trust special award – Lady Harris

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

‘Stop the vilifying’: owners urged to speak out to tackle disease outbreaks head-on

Lucy Elder — Sat, 04 Mar 2017 11:01:30 +0000

Stop the stigma and speak up — that was the message from leaders in equine welfare when it comes to dealing with disease outbreaks.

The call came during the 2017 National Equine Forum, held in London yesterday (2 March).

Prof Josh Slater, professor in equine clinical studies at the Royal Veterinary College, presented a case study on how a yard and veterinary practice coped with a devastating outbreak of equine herpes virus (EHV) last year.

Prof Slater praised the way the yard and vets dealt with the outbreak, from rapid testing of the first sick horse to their isolation procedure and “excellent” use of social media to alert the wider equestrian world.

Sadly six horses died, but the Prof Slater said the yard’s “intelligent use of space” to create quarantine zones and their openness about what had happened meant the outbreak was contained.

“The reality is that we work in a vacuum for the most part — imagine how much better off we would be if we knew where the other outbreaks and infectious diseases are,” said Prof Slater.

“If we went home and did one thing to help, it would be measuring [the] temperatures [of our horses more frequently].”

During the discussion, Jeanette Allen raised the issue of yards and owners being ostracized when they do the right thing.

“I think the biggest challenge is to stop the vilifying of yards and owners that have an outbreak,” she said.

Andrea Vilela, Redwings Horse Sanctuary education and campaigns manager, presented the findings of the charity’s strangles survey.

The charity suffered a strangles outbreak across its sites in 2015. At its height, 24 horses showed signs of infection and nine quarantine zones were in operation.

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More than 90% of the respondents said strangles should be more of a priority in the UK.

Ms Vilela said they would like it to become a “social norm” for horse owners to measure their horses’ temperature for fever.

It was also suggested that one simple way to help prevent outbreaks would be if every owner had a thermometer in their grooming kit, knew how to use it and knew their horse’s normal temperature. This would then mean a raised temperature — which is often a sign of fever — would be spotted early.

For a full report from the National Equine Forum, don’t miss next week’s issue of Horse & Hound, out Thursday 9 March

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Two of the 12 horses at her yard tested positive for the disease; Connie believes they must have contracted it at an event in late June.

In Connie’s case, the affected horse, and another who showed signs, were immediately isolated.

“We got them off the yard straight away, to be on the safe side,” she said. “That was before we got the results back; it could have been just a bacterial infection but just in case. When the tests came back positive, the vets swabbed the rest of the yard.”

“We’ve been very lucky,” Connie said. “The worry is that it’s so, so contagious, so it’s about doing everything you can, and using common sense.”

Connie praised her “phenomenal” vets at Oakham, and the understanding of her horses’ owners.

“They’ve been brilliant,” she said. “It’s not the nicest phone call to make but they were all very understanding. It threw a real spanner in the works as we shut everything down straight away and the last thing on our minds was going eventing.

Another key, Connie said, is being open; she immediately told everyone who might need to come to the yard.

“I think there is a bit of a stigma about it, and a sense that if you keep quiet, you can just keep going,” she said. “And there’s nothing stopping you. We didn’t, of course, no horses have come in or gone out, as otherwise you end up being part of the problem, not the solution.

“That’s how it keeps spreading, and the last thing you want is for someone else to get what we’ve had because of negligence.”

Once Connie had the veterinary green light to take the horses out again, she could start to plan the rest of her season. She hopes that by talking about her experience, others may be encouraged to do the same.

“We’ve got to be responsible. I think it should be a notifiable disease, as there was nothing stopping me from going out and keeping my mouth shut, which would have been totally wrong.”

Connie also thanked the “amazing” Equine Bio Genie, which came to “disinfect everything” in the yard, and cited the need to rest paddocks on which infected horses have grazed.

“If no one talks about strangles, it will carry on having a stigma,” she added. “If anything’s going to change, people need to start talking about it.”

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“It is a very interesting case given it was found in an elderly resident who has been at Redwings for many years, and we haven’t been managing any other cases of strangles at either this site or our quarantine yard,” said Mr Brauwere.

“Our initial diagnosis of a tooth abscess is also affecting the pony but strangles is also in the mix of bugs affecting his sinuses, so the approach of precautionary quarantine has rewarded us with being able to limit spread even before we knew what was wrong.”

Mr Brauwere said the pony has been moved to the charity’s dedicated quarantine yard.

“No further cases have been identified but we have adopted an early and widespread quarantine to prevent direct spread from horse to horse, and indirectly via equipment and people,” he said.

“We will maintain quarantine until we are assured that there are no cases on the farm. All fields in the quarantine areas have been taped off to members of the public, so it is important to adhere to the restrictions we’ve put in place.”

Mr Brauwere added that when Redwings puts precautionary quarantine in place at its farms, staff rely on lab reports and veterinary expertise to know when to ease it.

Redwings has actively campaigned to improve biosecurity procedures and tackle the “stigma” associated with strangles, launching the Stamp Out Strangles campaign in 2018, and leading the annual Strangles Awareness Week, along with other equine welfare charities.

“One way to be prepared for strangles is to read our Stamp Our Strangles Pledge and make that simple commitment to good biosecurity best practices. Don’t forget to get your yard involved next May to help promote disease prevention.”

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The horse is then rested, as “rest is the most important thing you can do”, Dr Termine said, and any in-contact horses are identified. She added that when cases were recorded in Oliva this spring, only 28 horses tested positive, as opposed to 118 in 2021, and none died, as opposed to 18.

“Temperature taking has saved lives,” she said. “It’s meant we can act faster to save horses.”

Dr Termine urged equestrians to take their horses’ temperatures as part of their daily routine, as it can be the earliest warning of any issues, which was reiterated in a panel discussion.

“I had charts and every owner texted me their horse’s temperature twice a day,” she said. “It’s a two-minute job and it will pick things up.”

Richmond’s biosecurity measures are now included in its livery contract, and all owners and visiting professionals have to take the Redwings “Stamp out strangles” pledge.

“I’m so nervous now,” she said. “Good biosecurity keeps everyone safe.”

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This included every livery having to buy a thermometer and do twice-daily temperature checks. This is part of the awareness campaign as a high temperature can be an early sign of illness, and in strangles, usually comes two to three days before horses shed the disease and can affect other animals.

In total, 27 of the 64 horses at the yard developed the disease, one of the first of whom was Fifi.

“They were there about 48 hours and they found that Eric had an abscess that was trapping his epiglottis [a flap that closes the windpipe while eating]. The vet did all he could to free it but because of how long it had been trapped, it had nerve damage and didn’t work.”

Not long before Lord Eric died, Fifi’s condition deteriorated.

Another horse also had to be put down before the outbreak was over.

Alisha added that she and many at the yard did not truly understand the impact strangles can have before their experience.