Legends from the equestrian world have shared their support for an awareness initiative, aiming to protect more horses from the potentially devastating effects of strangles. William Fox-Pitt, Lucinda Green, Richard Davison and influencer Riding with Rhi are working with the Strangles Awareness Week (SAW) collaboration this year to
help inspire horse owners to adopt practical, routine steps that offer their horses effective protection against the disease.

SAW takes place from 6-12 May and is co-ordinated by a team of equine welfare organisations, research institutes and companies.

In 2024 they are calling on 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

Each of the riders has worked with the collaboration to produce videos shining a spotlight on an element of the BEST actions. William Fox-Pitt is helping promote the importance of temperature checking routinely.

“I am supporting Strangles Awareness Week because I would love to see us prevent more horses from experiencing
this horrible disease by doing the BEST we can for our horses,” he said.

During the week, horse owners can to visit the Strangles Awareness Week webpage and answer questions relating to the four BEST actions to be in with a chance of winning a prize bundle worth over £6,000.

The bundle, made up of over 40 individual prizes, includes £250 Spillers feed vouchers, £250 Equilibrium vouchers, a body protector and riding helmet from Champion, an outfit worth £300 from Toggi, showjumps and poles from Red Bear Equestrian, an exercise sheet from Equidry, a bundle from Horselyx, jewellery from Hi-Ho silver and a three-month subscription to Forelock and Fringe subscription boxes.

“We are so grateful to William, Lucinda, Richard and Rhi for voicing their support for SAW, and their time helping us to promote the BEST actions,” said Lydia Duce, Campaigns Manager at Redwings Horse Sanctuary, who heads up the SAW collaboration. “As equestrians who strive for the best for their horses, they are hugely valuable voices to help show how we can all reduce the risk that Strangles poses to our horses and yards.

“We would like to express our sincere thanks to all the brands who have supported our prize draw. With such a huge prize to be won, we would encourage every horse owner to get involved, get to know their BEST actions, incorporate these into your horse’s care, and take back control against this devastating disease.”