Horse owners are being urged to speak to their vet about the strangles vaccine, after a recent Dechra survey found that nearly half of those questioned were not aware a vaccine was available. Despite strangles being ranked the most feared infectious equine disease ahead of influenza, equine herpes virus (EHV) and tetanus, the survey also reported that nearly 60% said their vet had not advertised or spoken to them about strangles vaccination.
The survey found that concern about infectious disease remains high across the equestrian community. According to Dechra’s research, 87% of those questioned were worried about the risk of infectious diseases such as strangles affecting their horse or yard, with nearly 60% ranking strangles as the most feared equine disease above influenza, EHV and tetanus.
However, the results suggest vaccination rates are not matching those concerns. While 96% of horse owners vaccinated for influenza and tetanus, only 16% vaccinated for EHV and 16% for strangles.
While 96% of horse owners vaccinated for influenza and tetanus, only 16% vaccinated for EHV and 16% for strangles.
Alongside vaccination, vets continue to stress the importance of robust biosecurity, particularly because strangles can persist unseen. Approximately 10% of horses that recover from strangles become carriers of the disease, harbouring the bacteria that causes strangles in their guttural pouches without showing any symptoms. These carriers can then spread the infection to others, triggering new outbreaks.
The survey also highlighted gaps in yard-level precautions. Despite widespread concern about infectious disease, a third of horse owners questioned had no isolation requirements for new horses moving to or visiting their premises, while only a quarter said they would carry out a visual health check on new arrivals.
“Our research demonstrates that strangles is the most feared infectious disease in the UK, however owners are unaware that a vaccine is available to help protect their horses and isolation requirements are sadly lacking,”
says Rachel Harrison-Osborne, veterinary surgeon at Dechra, the distributor of the strangles vaccine.
“To provide them with peace of mind when they are out and about with their horses, it is advisable that they speak to their vet about strangles vaccination which, alongside good biosecurity measures, will help protect their horses from the disease while circulating with others of unknown infectious disease status.”
Scottish Yard Makes Strangles Vaccine Compulsory
One Scottish yard that has already made strangles vaccination a requirement says it has strengthened confidence in its wider biosecurity approach.
Meadowhead Equestrian near Kilmarnock has included strangles vaccination in its yard policy since 2023. The livery yard is set in 112 acres and has around 30 horses on site. It is run by yard managers, Catriona Balish and Jordan Crowe.
“A local yard had a strangles outbreak in 2022 and they lost three horses,” comments Catriona. “We have a very close relationship with our vets and explained to them our concerns and that we felt that the risk to our horses’ welfare was high. Following extensive conversations about the benefits of the strangles vaccine and its success during local outbreaks it gave us some piece of mind that, should an outbreak occur, we would have fewer symptomatic horses, lower contraction rates and hopefully quicker eradication of the disease.
“Our whole yard was vaccinated in October 2023 to give our precious horses extra protection and us worriers peace of mind when out and about competing and exposure to the comings and goings of breaking and sales liveries.
“We have comprehensive biosecurity measures on our yard, which include isolation and testing procedures for new horses. Sadly, in November 2024 a horse that had recently joined us as a livery tested positive for the disease during his isolation period following a blood test and a guttural pouch wash. There were no clinical signs of the disease.
“Following the diagnosis, we went straight into lockdown and there was no movement of horses on and off the premises. We followed the procedures recommended by our vets which included the ongoing isolation of the affected horse, footbaths, minimal contact and temperature monitoring.
“We’re pleased to say that there was zero spread among the horses on our yard at the time of the strangles case and strangles vaccination is an ongoing requirement for our liveries. Our livery owners are completely behind this policy, and our view is if they don’t like it, then they’re not the right fit for our yard!”
For information on strangles vaccination, horse owners are advised to contact their local veterinary practice.
