29/07/2025
‼️IMPORTANT PLEASE READ‼️
Unfortunately, there is an outbreak of strangles in the area, this is a highly contagious disease for horses and ponies. It is especially harmful to both young and old horses.
To help prevent the spread and reduce the risk to our horses we will be implementing our “Biosecurity Policy”.
We have taken Veterinary advice and will be asking all our clients to help reduce the spread by:
• Not attending external clinics and competitions for the next 2 weeks (we will review the situation again at this stage)
• Not hack with horses from other yards, or in locations where you may meet horses from other yards
• Ride with only 1 riding school whilst infection risk is high
• If you have horses at other yards then please ensure you wash thoroughly and change your cloths and footwear before coming to Urchinwood
• Should you have your own horses at another yard and Strangles is suspected there, then please do not attend Urchinwood.
• Be aware of the symptoms (see below from BHS website https://www.bhs.org.uk/horse-care-and-welfare/health-care-management/horse-health/equine-diseases/strangles/ )
Many thanks for your co-operation, and hopefully together we can stop the spread.
Urchinwood
What is strangles in horses?
Strangles is caused by a bacteria called Streptococcus equi. It’s so-called because the airway can become restricted by swollen lymph nodes.
How do horses get strangles?
While strangles is not spread through the air (airborne), the bacteria can spread when a horse coughs or snorts. It can be easily spread directly through horse-to-horse contact and indirectly, for example through contaminated equipment, handler clothing and boots.
Strangles bacteria can survive for up to six weeks in water which is why it is important to take your own water source when away from the yard.1
Strangles symptoms
Typical symptoms include:
• High temperature, above 38.5°C, is often the first sign. This provides an opportunity to immediately isolate the horse and help prevent the spread of the disease.
• Lethargy/dull and depressed.
• Loss of appetite and/or not drinking, difficulty swallowing.
• A lowered head and neck.
• A cough.
• Thick and discoloured nasal discharge.
• Swelling of the glands under the jaw (lymph nodes), in the space between the head and neck, or on the head or neck which may lead to abscesses. These can burst with highly infectious, thick, creamy-yellow pus.
• The abscesses in the lymph nodes usually burst into the horse’s guttural pouches (air pockets at the back of a horse’s throat) which then drain out through the nostrils.
It normally takes 3-21 days after the horse has been in contact with the strangles bacteria for signs to develop (incubation period)1,2. However, there have been times when it has taken up to 28 days.
If you suspect strangles
• Isolate the horse(s) affected.
• Call your vet.
• Contact owner(s) – including those of horses who have been in contact with the affected horse.
• Monitor other horses on your yard for signs of infection - including daily temperature checking. It can take up to 21 days for a newly infected horse to show signs of illness1,2.
• Spread the word, not the disease – tell people such as your farrier and any nearby equine property.
