Recent data from the Surveillance of Equine Strangles has shown a concerning surge in diagnosed cases of this highly contagious condition across the UK. Experts are predicting that if the current rates continue, we could see up to 600 confirmed cases this year alone, which is a significant rise from previous years.
Strangles can make horses really poorly and is a nightmare for yard managers and horse owners alike. An outbreak can bring your entire horsey calendar to a complete standstill, and that’s if your horse isn’t affected directly, leaving you with weeks of strict isolation, potential loss from competition entries, and needing to be on high alert until your yard is declared free.
The most eye-opening statistic from the recent reports is that just over a third of the horses that tested positive were showing clinical signs of being ill. This means a horse can look completely healthy, yet still be shedding the bacteria and putting your own horse at risk. This is called asymptomatic. Horses that have strangles and don’t show symptoms can be anywhere. It could be another horse on the yard, a horse you meet at a show. Literally every interaction your horse has with another could be increasing his risk. And this isn’t a criticism of anyone at all, but it’s important to understand how conditions can spread, and how sometimes there are no indications that this is what is happening.
With so many of us out and about at shows over the summer months, it has never been more important to understand how to protect our horses. Here are some tips that might help…
1. Everyday Biosecurity
When you are away from home, it is easy to let your guard down, especially when everything is busy and exciting. However, simple habits can make a massive difference in preventing the spread of infection.
- No nose-to-nose contact: Do not allow your horse to greet unfamiliar horses, whether that is over the partition of a lorry, at the tie-up rings, or while waiting by the warm-up arena.
- Bring your own kit: Avoid borrowing anything from other competitors. The strangles bacteria can survive for several weeks in water, making shared troughs or buckets a major hazard too.
- Watch (and wash) your own hands: It is not just horses that spread the bacteria. If you pat someone else’s horse, make sure you wash or sanitise your hands before touching your own horse or handling their tack and feed.
2. Get to Know Your Horse’s Normal
We often hear about the classic signs of strangles, such as a thick nasal discharge, a painful cough, or swollen glands around the jaw. But because a high temperature is often the very first indicator, catching a fever early can stop an outbreak in its tracks.
- Temperature check routinely: Make it a habit to take your horse’s temperature regularly, so you know what ‘normal’ is. This can be useful if you have been away from home or you think your horse might be under the weather as you can adjust and change plans if needed.
- Know the baseline: A normal equine temperature sits between 37.5 and 38.5 degrees Celsius. If you know what is normal for your horse, you will instantly recognise when something is amiss. Top Tip: Write it down! It’s easy to know your horse is in the normal range, but if you take his temperature over several days and there’s an upward trend that doesn’t fit what’s normal for him, it can help you nip any problem in the bud.
- Act on changes: If the thermometer spikes above normal, do not wait for other symptoms to appear. Isolate the horse immediately as a precaution, make sure you don’t share kit, and consider calling your vet for advice.
3. Implement Strict Quarantine Protocols at Home
Many yard outbreaks occur when a new horse arrives without a proper introduction period. Protecting your current herd relies on a solid quarantine routine.
- The three-week rule: Any new horse arriving at the yard should be isolated for a minimum of three weeks. This allows time for any incubating infections such as strangles but also equine flu and other issues to show up. This isn’t just the stable, but field too.
- Separate equipment: Ensure the isolated horse has its own designated mucking-out tools, buckets, and tack that are not shared with the rest of the yard. Also, think about how to prevent handlers spreading bugs around the yard.
4. Consider Boosting Immunity
Did you know you can vaccinate against strangles? Depending on your situation, it might be worth discussing options with your vet to see if it could be beneficial for your horse.
- Reduce the impact: While no vaccine offers a total guarantee against exposure, it could reduce the severity of the symptoms and helps prevent spread.
- Yard policies: Some livery and training yards are now making strangles vaccination a requirement for all residents to protect the entire community.
And if you think your horse might have strangles?
If you notice your horse is dull, off their feed, or running a temperature, prompt action can help your horse and his equine pals. Isolate them immediately, tell your yard manager, and contact your vet to discuss next steps.
Biosecurity might not be the top of everyone’s summer agenda, but it could make all the difference between being able to enjoy the summer and being confined to the yard with a poorly horse.