05/09/2026
Let’s talk about Strangles. And no… we don’t mean strangling Dr. George for scheduling things by himself. 😅
Yes, Strangles is a very serious matter when it comes to horses. BUT — it has also been around for a very long time. Most horses have likely been exposed at some point in their lives and may not have even shown symptoms.
Strangles is a highly contagious upper respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Streptococcus equi. Symptoms can include:
• High fever (104–106°F)🤒
• Thick nasal discharge🤧
• Abscessed lymph nodes under the jaw, which can restrict breathing (this is how it got the name “strangles”)
It is commonly spread through direct horse-to-horse contact or contaminated equipment.
⚠️ As of April 2026, Strangles is now a reportable disease in New Hampshire. ⚠️
Treatment generally includes:
• Isolation for 3–4 weeks😷
• Supportive care
• Hot packing abscess areas
• Antibiotics only in severe cases, since they can sometimes interfere with the development of natural immunity💉
There is a strangles vaccine available to help reduce the likelihood and severity of disease, but it is not 100% effective.
Most horses recover within 3–4 weeks. However, complications can occur, including:
• “Bastard strangles” (spread of infection internally)
• Permanent guttural pouch infections
These complications occur in a smaller percentage of cases, but they can be serious.
Prognosis:
• Good to excellent recovery in most horses within 2–4 weeks😍
• Mortality rate is LESS THAN 10%
• Bastard strangles can be fatal (very rare)
As serious as this infection can be, we need to reduce panic and support one another in keeping our equine community safe.
If your horse lives at home with limited exposure, the risk is generally low. If you attend organized events:
• Disinfect your horse’s area
• Avoid nose-to-nose contact with unfamiliar horses
• Do not share feed or water buckets
• Do not travel if your horse is sick or showing symptoms
Be cautious, stay informed, and most importantly🫶🏼 be kind. We are all in this together, and we will get through this together too. 🐴
