Strangles in Horses: Welfare During Outbreak Management
Strangles (Streptococcus equi infection) causes abscess formation and airway obstruction in horses, with welfare management requiring isolation, monitoring, and careful treatment.
Key Facts
- The most common infectious disease of horses worldwide, caused by Streptococcus equi
- Causes fever, nasal discharge, and painful submandibular lymph node abscesses
- Abscesses can cause significant airway compression in severe cases
- Bastard strangles (internal abscess formation) is a severe welfare complication
- Outbreaks require stringent biosecurity and movement restrictions
Welfare Considerations
Strangles welfare management centers on the pain of abscess formation and the respiratory impact of enlarged lymph nodes. Affected horses experience painful swellings, difficulty swallowing, and fever causing anorexia and lethargy. Most abscesses rupture spontaneously providing welfare relief, but some require surgical assistance. Anti-inflammatory medication controls fever and pain. The risk of bastard strangles — where abscesses form in internal organs — creates a severe long-term welfare complication requiring specific monitoring. Biosecurity during outbreaks must be implemented in ways that minimize additional welfare burden from isolation.
What You Can Do
- Implement strict isolation immediately when strangles is suspected
- Provide anti-inflammatory treatment promptly to control fever and pain
- Monitor abscess development and assist rupture under veterinary guidance
- Test for Streptococcus equi carriage before ending isolation
- Vaccinate horses against strangles in high-risk environments