29/10/2026
Equine Strangles
With a recent case of strangles confirmed in the Peeblesshire area, we advise our equine clients to be vigilant for signs of disease, and to consider their yard biosecurity policy. Outbreaks of strangles close by are stressful for horse owners, so we've put together a few strangles facts, and hopefully are able to bust some myths too.
Strangles is an upper respiratory infection caused by the bacteria Streptococcus equi equi. Symptoms include high fever, lethargy, inappetence, nasal discharge and swollen or discharging lymph nodes (located at the jaw). Strangles can mimic many other respiratory or dental diseases. A period of isolation for all new horses is the safest way to prevent introduction of disease onto your yard.
Myth – strangles is a highly fatal disease
Fact – strangles is rarely fatal, most horses make a full recovery
Myth – strangles is spread directly through respiratory secretions
Fact – strangles can be spread by fomites (people or objects) and while very easy to kill (by UV rays from bright sunlight and by most disinfectants), it can survive for weeks in water – so wash those buckets!
Myth – vaccination is ineffective
Fact – vaccination is available and may be appropriate for some situations
Myth – isolation is no use in preventing strangles
Fact – most acute cases of strangles show signs within two weeks of infection, therefore isolation periods of two weeks should reduce the risk of bringing infection into your yard, along with good biosecurity
Myth – blood tests can detect carriers of strangles (asymptomatic horses that carry the bacteria within their guttural pouches)
Fact – carriers are thankfully relatively uncommon, but guttural pouch scoping is the only way to identify them (blood testing identifies antibodies produced in response to an infection and therefore can alert us to carry out further testing)
Myth – infection gives lifelong immunity
Fact – horses can be reinfected with strangles but immunity usually persists for months to years
Myth – strangles cases shouldn’t get antibiotics
Fact – antibiotics are indicated in some cases, penicillin being our drug of choice
Myth – carriers can’t be prevented, it’s just bad luck
Fact – post infection scoping of all affected and in contact horses can identify horses that need help clearing the infection
If you are concerned about your horse, or need help with creating an infectious disease policy for your yard, please don't hesitate to get in touch. We offer strangles blood tests and guttural pouch sampling via endoscopy - negative results from these tests are often required prior to moving your horse or pony to new premises.
