Strangles: Explanation & Preventions

In support of Strangles Awareness Week, we’re shining a spotlight on one of the most well-known equine diseases affecting horses across the UK and beyond. Strangles outbreaks can have a profound impact, not only on horse health but also on the emotional and financial wellbeing of owners, riders, and yard managers. By raising awareness and sharing practical guidance, we hope to support horse owners in recognising the risks, understanding how the disease spreads, and, most importantly, taking proactive steps to prevent it.

What is strangles?

Strangles is a potentially life-threatening respiratory illness in horses caused by the Streptococcus equi bacteria. Strangles is highly contagious and requires strict quarantine measures to prevent spread of the disease.

In addition to the devastating effect strangles can have on horses, an outbreak can be emotionally exhausting and expensive for horse owners and yard managers. Prevention is always better than cure for strangles so our horse insurance team took a closer look at the many measures we as horse owners can use to keep our horses and ponies strangles free.

How does a horse contract Strangles?

Strangles is an extremely contagious illness that affects the horse’s upper respiratory tract. It is the most common infectious equine disease in the UK and worldwide and can affect horses irrespective of age, gender and breed. The illness is spread both by direct contact and through contact with contaminated surfaces.

Preventing a Strangles Outbreak

Quarantine Measures

Strict quarantine measures are an effective way to prevent spread of strangles. All livery yards should have an effective quarantine policy in place, particularly for new horses or ponies arriving at the yard. The British Horse Society suggests that horses should be quarantined for a minimum of 21 days on arrival at a new yard.

Ensuring effective Quarantine Measures

• No direct or indirect contact – the quarantined horse should be kept entirely separate from other horses. Ideally the quarantine stable should be 10 or 20 metres away from the rest of the yard. If this is not possible the quarantined horse should be on the end of a row of stables, preferably in an area where other horses are not passing the quarantine stable.
• Own equipment – the quarantined horse should have their own equipment, including dedicated tack, brushing equipment and water and feed buckets.
• Biosecurity considerations – those looking after or handling the quarantined horse should follow biosecurity measures such as looking after the quarantined horse after any other horses and ideally changing clothing, footwear and handwashing after being with the quarantined horse to prevent the spread of bacteria.
• Monitoring – taking the temperature of the quarantined horse twice a day can be useful as a raised temperature is often the first sign of strangles.

Other good practice to prevent a strangles outbreak

• Vaccination – The strangles vaccination programme was launched in 2022. It involves two initial vaccinations approximately 4 weeks apart followed by single booster vaccinations every 6-12 months.
• Blood testing or swabbing prior to moving yards – a simple swab or a blood test carried out by a vet can identify horses that are carriers of strangles. If your horse tests positive as a strangles carrier, they will need to be isolated immediately and veterinary advice followed.
• Horses from other yards – Ensure that horses from different yards don’t touch when they are away at shows or training. Always ensure each horse has their own equipment and water and feed buckets to prevent horses sharing with those from other yards. Monitoring the horse’s temperature on returning home can be helpful and isolating immediately if they have a temperature or you suspect something is wrong.
• Between yards – When travelling between yards or horses, it is important to wash or sanitise your hands between horses. 
• Act quickly – If your horse has a raised temperature, or you suspect something is wrong, contact your vet for advice straightaway.

Further useful information on Strangles can be found on the dedicated Redwings Strangles Hub. Redwings’ campaign to ‘Stamp out Strangles’ helps provide horse owners with valuable information on prevention, biosecurity and horse care in relation to strangles.

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 from Livery Yard & Riding School Insurance, to Horsebox and Horse Trailer Insurance. Our experienced team of horse owners can help provide you with advice on what cover you might need.