03/07/2026
β οΈ Strangles Update β Protecting Your Horses
We are aware of the current outbreak of strangles in the North Island and want to reassure our clients that we are here to help. If you have any concerns about your horse's health or would like advice on preventing the spread of disease, please don't hesitate to contact our team.
What is strangles?
Strangles is a highly contagious bacterial infection caused by Streptococcus equi. It affects the upper respiratory tract and lymph nodes and spreads easily between horses through direct contact, contaminated equipment, water sources, and people.
The incubation period is typically 3 days to 2 weeks. Horses can begin shedding the bacteria 1β2 days after developing a fever, often before other obvious signs appear. Most horses recover within 4β6 weeks with appropriate veterinary care.
Signs to watch for:
- Fever (high temperature)
- Thick yellow nasal discharge
- Laboured breathing
- Lethargy or depression
- Coughing
- Swollen or painful lymph nodes, particularly under the jaw
How can you reduce the risk?
Good biosecurity is your best defence.
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Avoid sharing halters, grooming equipment, feed buckets, and water troughs.
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Wash or sanitise your hands after handling unfamiliar horses.
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Clean and disinfect shared equipment and high-contact areas regularly.
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Isolate new horses before introducing them to your herd.
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Consider who and what enters your property, including visitors, horses, and vehicles.
It is also good practice to regularly monitor your horse's temperature and respiratory rate. Detecting changes early can make a significant difference.
βοΈ A note about vaccination: The strangles vaccine can help reduce the severity of disease, but it does not completely prevent infection. Vaccinated horses can still become infected, so ongoing monitoring and good biosecurity remain essential.
If you suspect strangles:
If your horse develops signs consistent with strangles, isolate them immediately from other horses and contact us as soon as possible. Early veterinary advice and prompt biosecurity measures are the best way to help protect both your horse and others in the community.
π Phone: 027 701 0540
π§ Email: [email protected]
π¨STRANGLES: What Horse Owners Need to Know
WHAT IT IS
Strangles is a highly contagious bacterial infection caused by Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (S. equi ssp equi). It affects the upper airways and lymph nodes around the head and neck. Note there's a closely related subspecies, S. equi ssp zooepidemicus, which is a different organism and does not cause strangles β so make sure any lab result specifies ssp equi. It spreads easily, but most horses recover fully within 4β6 weeks with good care.
SIGNS TO WATCH FOR
A high temperature is usually the first sign β often before anything else β so take your horse's temperature regularly after travel, events, or contact with new horses. Other signs: lethargy, going off feed, thick yellow nasal discharge, a cough, and swollen lymph nodes under the jaw that may abscess and burst.
Simple rule: fever and a snotty nose after travel or mixing with unfamiliar horses? Treat it as strangles until your vet says otherwise.
IF YOU SUSPECT IT
Isolate first, then call your vet. Keep the affected horse well away from others before doing anything else. Don't assume a horse is clear just because it looks better β they can keep shedding bacteria for weeks. About 1 in 10 recovered horses become silent carriers that look healthy but still infect others, which is why following your vet's testing advice to the end matters.
A WORD ON ANTIBIOTICS
It's important not to reach for antibiotics unless your vet specifically advises them. In most cases they do more harm than good β they can delay abscesses maturing, prolong the illness, and reduce the natural immunity your horse builds. Good nursing care is the mainstay of treatment. Leave the decision to your vet, who will only use antibiotics in specific situations.
PREVENTING SPREAD
New or returning horses: isolate and quarantine for 14β21 days, check temperatures twice daily before mixing as horses are febrile a couple of days before they are infectious.
Don't share gear: buckets, feed bins, grooming kit, tack and halters all carry it.
Clean transport between trips; wash hands between horses.
Watch the water: bacteria survive 4β6 weeks in troughs and over a month in dried discharge. Sunlight, drying and thorough cleaning kill it faster.
VACCINATION
A key defence, especially for travelling horses. Standard NZ course is three doses two weeks apart, then a yearly booster (six-monthly for high-risk horses), often combined with tetanus (e.g. Equivac 2-in-1). Never vaccinate a horse that's currently sick or recently exposed β it can cause serious complications. Take your vet's advice on timing.
MANAGING AN OUTBREAK
Split horses into three groups and keep them apart: infected, exposed, and clean. Use separate gear (ideally separate people) for each, monitor temperatures twice daily, and stop all movement on and off the property until your vet gives the all-clear.
A NOTE ON STIGMA
Strangles carries an unfair reputation that can make people reluctant to report it. Please don't let that stop you β early, open communication protects every horse. Affected owners deserve support, not judgement.
For more information check out the link π
https://www.nzeha.org.nz/strangles
