With Strangles Awareness Week in full swing, our horse insurance team decided to find out more about this annual event and how it is helping to keep our horses safe from this very contagious, infectious disease. We are keen to find out any updates in research that helps our horses stay happy and healthy.
What is Strangles?
Strangles is an extremely contagious illness that affects the horse’s upper respiratory tract. It is the most common infectious disease in the UK and worldwide. Strangles is caused by a bacteria called Streptococcus equi, not a virus. Strangles outbreaks can involve many or even all horses becoming ill on yards where they live or interact. Any horse can get strangles, whatever their age, breed, health or value.
What is Strangles Awareness Week?
Strangles Awareness Week (SAW), is now in its 6th year. SAW takes place annually in May, and is coordinated by leading horse sanctuary, Redwings. Equine vets, welfare charities educators and researchers across the UK, and beyond, collaborate with Redwings to help raise awareness of Strangles and create effective protection for horses against it during SAW.
Become a SAW Ambassador
This year, Redwings and Strangles Awareness Week are encouraging people to become SAW Ambassadors. Click Here to become a SAW Ambassador. Becoming a SAW Ambassador is free, takes a few seconds and means you will receive social media graphics, films and links ready to share to help spread the word, not the disease!
SAW, is calling on the equestrian community to give their horses the BEST protection from Strangles by:
Boosting immunity by vaccinating against Strangles – The vaccination program was launched in 2022, having taken 20 years to develop. It involves 2 initial vaccinations approximately 4 weeks apart followed by single booster vaccinations every 6-12 months.
Educate yourself and others – There are many different strains of Strangles and research indicates that in over 40% of diagnoses there are no signs of ill health. There are many online resources to stay up to date with the latest strangles research. A good place to start finding out more is the Redwings Horse Sanctuary website - https://www.redwings.org.uk/strangles/strangles-awareness-week.
Separate new horses – Keep any horses new to a yard in a separate isolation area as advised by a veterinary professional. It is not necessary to have special facilities to keep a horse in quarantine, just planning and attention to detail.
Temperature check routinely – make taking your horses temperature part of your routine. The temperature of a healthy horse is between 36 and 38 degrees Celsius. Anything over 38.5 is deemed a fever. By taking your horse’s temperature regularly you will learn to know what is normal for your particular horse. Always use a plastic digital thermometer to take your horse’s temperature.
To find out more about these four BEST preventative actions you can take to protect your horse and others from strangles please follow this link: https://www.redwings.org.uk/strangles/strangles-awareness-week.
About SEIB
SEIB Insurance Brokers have been providing insurance for Horses for over 60 years. We provide a flexible range of policies to suit your needs. Our experienced team of horse owners can help provide you with advice on what cover you might need.