Would You Know What to Do in a Strangles Outbreak?

Since 1991, Redwings has quarantined and tested over 4,000 horses for strangles, a potentially devastating infectious disease of equids caused by the bacterium Streptococcus equi, on their arrival at the sanctuary.

Around 8 % of arrivals test positive for the disease - including hidden strangles carriers. No horse is released from quarantine until we know they are free of infection.

In 2017 Redwings won the Animal Health Trust's prestigious Health and Welfare award for its work to help protect horses from strangles.

During more than 25 years of rescuing horses with strangles, Redwings has experienced just one strangles outbreak outside a quarantine area.

Know what to do in a strangles outbreak?

In February 2015, Redwings Horse Sanctuary experienced an outbreak of strangles in one of its resident herds.

The outbreak saw 30 horses test positive for strangles, many more horses requiring testing and thousands of pounds spent during an eight-month battle with the disease.

Although Redwings is highly experienced in managing and treating strangles in rescue cases, this was the first time in 23 years that the Sanctuary had an outbreak in one of its resident herds, and the charity felt it essential to speak out immediately. Eager to encourage others to #SpeakOutOnStrangles, Redwings launched a 2016 Strangles Survey as part of their overall campaign to Stamp Out Strangles.

Findings from the survey later influenced the production of a second edition of the charity's popular strangles information pack, which can be downloaded for free here. 

Watch this animation to find out how they contained and cleared the outbreak.