Tag: Strangles

Strangles Awareness Week 2024 Reaches Millions

Suzanne Ashton
Strangles awareness week image of horses grazing

The 2024 Strangles Awareness Week (SAW) campaign has made a significant impact, reaching over 2.8 million equestrians and yard owners. The campaign also welcomed over 150 new Ambassadors committed to spreading the word about disease prevention. Held annually during the first week of May, SAW is coordinated by a coalition of leading equine welfare organizations, research institutes, and companies. The campaign aims to educate about Strangles and biosecurity, sharing the latest research to help protect horses and businesses from the devastating effects of a Strangles outbreak. This year, the campaign…

Strangles in Horses

Suzanne Ashton
image of a horse with severe strangles, including swelling of the jaw from a large abscess

Strangles is a very common but unpleasant bacterial disease that can affect horses, ponies and even donkeys. Signs vary between individuals and can range from very mild to dramatic in appearance. Strangles is a disease caused by bacteria called Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (Strep. equi) and is highly contagious being spread by direct contact with infected discharges or with contaminated clothing or equipment. Horses can also be silent carriers of the bacteria displaying no outward signs but being capable of infecting others. Horses can be silent carriers of the bacteria…