Equine Strangles: Respiratory Disease Welfare in Horses
Overview: Welfare assessment for strangles disease in horses, a highly contagious bacterial respiratory infection.
Key Welfare Facts
Strangles is caused by Streptococcus equi and is the most commonly diagnosed infectious disease in horses globally.
Affected horses develop fever, nasal discharge, and painful abscesses in lymph nodes of the head and neck.
Abscess rupture is extremely painful and debilitating, causing severe welfare compromise lasting days to weeks.
Internal abscess formation (bastard strangles) causes potentially fatal complications in a small percentage of cases.
Outbreaks cause prolonged yard isolation, stressing social horses and affecting their psychological welfare significantly.
Vaccination provides partial protection and reduces disease severity, lowering welfare impacts significantly on vaccinated horses.
Welfare Assessment
Strangles causes intense discomfort and prolonged illness. Prompt veterinary involvement, appropriate isolation, and regular guttural pouch endoscopy to detect carriers prevents both prolonged illness and spread to other horses.
What You Can Do
Implement biosecurity protocols for all new arrivals to the yard
Vaccinate horses in high-mixing environments after veterinary recommendation
Isolate horses with signs of respiratory disease immediately and seek veterinary advice
Test recovered horses for carrier status before returning to the herd