New videos have been released, showing both the resilience of two owners whose horses became very unwell with strangles, and highlighting the experiences of yard and equestrian venue owners managing the disease. The films were released by the collaboration behind Strangles Awareness Week (6-12 May 2024).
The videos feature Ivesley Equestrian in County Durham, who experienced a strangles outbreak in June 2023, and were not given the final all-clear from infection until October 2023. In total, six of the 55 horses on livery at the yard tested positive for the disease, a figure which could have been much higher had it not been for the swift actions and robust biosecurity measures introduced to manage the outbreak.
Owner Kath Bennett shares the experience she went through when her 10-year-old Andalusian, Argento, suffered severe strangles abscessation and was isolated for four and a half months before he tested negative for the infection. Fellow livery Claire Gourley tells how her Oldenburg gelding Otto, who was rising four, was so unwell he was admitted to Rainbow Equine Hospital for treatment (pictured top).
“Strangles is something that we thought would never affect us, but Otto ended up so poorly that he was in hospital for nine days, five of those spent in ICU,” said Claire. “His abscesses were impinging on his swallow reflex so he couldn’t eat or drink. He needed to be tube fed and was on IV fluids.
“I think Otto’s story really opened everyone’s eyes as to how quickly strangles can bring a young and healthy horse to so nearly losing his battle with the illness.”
The Strangles Awareness Week team have also produced a video, and a podcast, featuring Jonathan Cleaver, co-owner of Ivesley Equestrian, in conversation with Abigail Turnbull, co-owner of Richmond Equestrian Centre who experienced an outbreak in 2018. They share their strangles experiences, and particularly the critical need for preparation, transparency, and community cooperation to mitigate the impact of equine infectious diseases.
The pair also speak about the financial implications of their outbreak, both on their livery yards and equestrian events businesses.
“I first found out about our outbreak after someone asked for a refund for their competition entry, only about 15 minutes after strangles had even been identified,” said Jonathan. “For weeks afterwards it felt like we just haemorrhaged money, and we were very lucky to not be in the position where we faced selling off land or losing our home.
“It is so important to be clued up on biosecurity and the latest strangles research and management, as you are only ever as strong as your weakest point.”
The Strangles Awareness Week collaboration includes charities, academics and industry professionals, and works to raise awareness of the infectious disease and shares the latest practical guidance on preventing and managing a strangles outbreak.
This year they are urging the equestrian community to give their horses the BEST protection from strangles:
- Boost immunity by vaccinating against strangles
- Educate yourself and others
- Separate new horses
- Temperature check routinely
Throughout the week, there will be practical, informative content shared across the Strangles Awareness Week social media platforms to show horse owners how to implement this into their horse care routine. Owners can follow Strangles Awareness Week on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X.
For more information about Strangles Awareness Week 2024, visit www.redwings.org.uk/strangles/strangles-awareness-week
