08/26/2026
🐴 LET'S TALK ABOUT STRANGLES — FACTS, NOT FEAR
Strangles is one of those words that can immediately make the horse world panic.
But maybe it's time we talk about it a little differently.
Strangles is a real disease. It is contagious. It should be taken seriously. And proper biosecurity absolutely matters.
But it is also not a new disease, not a mysterious disease, and not something that suddenly appeared in the horse world.
Strangles has been around for generations and will continue to be around because horses, like all animals, are susceptible to infectious diseases.
🦠 WHAT IS STRANGLES?
Strangles is caused by the bacterium Streptococcus equi equi (S. equi).
It primarily affects the upper respiratory system and the lymph nodes around the throat.
Common signs can include:
• Fever
• Depression or lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• Nasal discharge
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Abscesses around the throat
• Difficulty swallowing
• Occasionally difficulty breathing
Most horses recover, but complications can occur, which is why veterinary care and proper management are important.
🐎 ONE HORSE DOES NOT EQUAL AN OUTBREAK
This is an important distinction.
If one horse tests positive for strangles, that is one infected horse.
It doesn't automatically mean every horse on the property has it.
It doesn't automatically mean the entire area is experiencing an outbreak.
And it doesn't mean every horse that has been near that horse will become sick.
It DOES mean that the situation needs to be handled responsibly.
Isolation, monitoring temperatures, appropriate testing, cleaning equipment and limiting horse-to-horse contact are all important steps.
🧪 STRANGLES CAN BE TRICKY
One of the reasons strangles can be difficult to manage is that horses don't always follow the textbook.
Some horses show obvious symptoms.
Some have mild disease.
Some may have very few clinical signs.
And some recovered horses can become carriers and harbor S. equi in their guttural pouches.
That's why testing and veterinary guidance are important, particularly when managing multiple horses.
🧼 BIOSECURITY IS YOUR FRIEND
Good biosecurity isn't about being scared of strangles.
It's about being smart.
Don't share buckets between isolated and healthy horses.
Don't share grooming equipment.
Clean and disinfect equipment.
Wash your hands.
Change clothing when necessary.
Monitor temperatures.
Separate sick or exposed horses appropriately.
And communicate with your veterinarian.
These are good practices whether you're dealing with strangles, influenza, EHV, or a number of other contagious equine diseases.
💉 WHAT ABOUT VACCINATION?
Vaccination is another tool that can be considered.
Strangles vaccines are available and may reduce the risk or severity of disease, but vaccination decisions should be based on the individual horse, its risk of exposure and veterinary recommendations.
Vaccination isn't a guarantee that a horse will never encounter S. equi, but it can be an important part of an overall disease-prevention program.
❤️ AND HERE'S THE PART WE SOMETIMES FORGET...
A horse getting strangles doesn't make that horse "bad."
It doesn't make the owner irresponsible.
It doesn't mean someone knowingly brought a sick horse into a barn.
And it certainly doesn't mean that horse should be treated like some kind of biological weapon.
Horses get sick.
Our job as horse owners is to recognize illness, respond appropriately, protect the other horses and give the sick horse the care it needs.
That's responsible horse ownership.
🐴 STRANGLES ISN'T SOMETHING TO IGNORE.
But it also isn't something we need to fear beyond reason.
Respect it. Learn about it. Manage it.
Know the signs.
Know how it spreads.
Know what good biosecurity looks like.
Know when to call your veterinarian.
And understand the difference between one confirmed case and an actual outbreak.
The horse industry has dealt with strangles for a very long time.
We aren't going to eliminate it from the equine world.
But with knowledge, good management and responsible horse ownership, we can do a whole lot to reduce transmission and protect our horses.
Education over panic.
Good horsemanship over fear.
Facts over Facebook rumors. 🐴❤️
