What Is Strangle Horse Disease?
Strangle horse disease, more commonly known as strangles, is a highly contagious bacterial infection caused by Streptococcus equi subspecies equi. It primarily affects the lymph nodes of the head and neck and can spread rapidly between horses through direct contact or contaminated equipment, water, feed and people.
The incubation period is typically between three and 14 days. While many horses make a full recovery, strangles can cause significant illness and, in some cases, serious complications. Approximately 10% of horses that recover may remain carriers, harbouring bacteria within the guttural pouches and potentially spreading infection to other horses.
Early recognition and appropriate veterinary advice are therefore essential, particularly where several horses share the same yard, travel regularly or have recently been introduced to new horses.
Recognising Strangles Symptoms in Horses
The signs of strangles can vary considerably between horses. A raised temperature is often one of the earliest signs, followed by other symptoms as the infection develops. Common signs include depression, reduced appetite, coughing and nasal discharge that can become thick and yellow.
Swollen and painful lymph nodes around the throat and head are particularly characteristic. These may develop into abscesses, which can eventually rupture and drain. In more severe cases, horses may experience difficulty swallowing or breathing.
Not every infected horse develops obvious signs. Some may have mild symptoms while remaining infectious, making effective biosecurity and veterinary testing important when strangles are suspected.
If you notice a horse developing a fever, nasal discharge or swollen glands, contact your equine vet promptly and avoid moving the horse or sharing equipment with other horses until you have received veterinary advice.
Strangles Treatment and Prevention
Treatment for strangles is generally focused on supportive care, keeping the horse comfortable and managing symptoms. Anti-inflammatory medication may be used where appropriate, while veterinary monitoring is important to identify complications. Most horses recover, although more serious cases can take longer.
Preventing the spread of strangles requires strict biosecurity. New arrivals should be isolated before joining resident horses, while horses exposed to an outbreak should be separated according to their infection status. During an outbreak, equipment should not be shared between groups and should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Regular temperature monitoring can also help identify new cases quickly.
Horses recovering from strangles can continue shedding S. equi for several weeks after their clinical signs have disappeared. Testing can help identify horses that remain carriers before they return to contact with other horses. Vaccination may also form part of a wider strangles prevention programme, alongside good yard management and biosecurity.
Hambleton Equine Clinic provides specialist equine veterinary care from its purpose-built clinic and hospital in North Yorkshire, with experienced vets and access to advanced diagnostic facilities.
Speak to Our Equine Veterinary Team
If you are concerned that your horse may have strangles or has been exposed to an infected horse, get in touch with Hambleton Equine Clinic for professional veterinary advice. Prompt assessment can help protect your horse while reducing the risk of infection spreading throughout the yard.
Our experienced equine vets provide care for horses across the North East, with ambulatory services and access to our purpose-built equine hospital when further investigation or treatment is required.