Those involved in the care of a horse and yard owners are encouraged to get involved with this year’s Strangles Awareness Week (SAW), by signing up as ambassadors and promoting the campaign’s important BEST practice messaging to help prevent spread of the highly contagious disease.
The acronym, which stands for ‘Boost immunity with strangles vaccination’; ‘Engage with trusted information’; ‘Separate unfamiliar horses’ and ‘Temp check routinely’, is at the centre of the campaign.
A strangles outbreak on a yard in Sweden is being highlighted as part of the initiative. Two of three unvaccinated horses at the yard died from their infection, while all 17 horses that were vaccinated remained healthy, highlighting the potential impact the vaccination.
Last year saw a 77% increase in the number of lab-reported cases of strangles with 477 being logged by the Surveillance of Equine Strangles scheme in 2025 compared to 270 in 2024.
The respiratory illness is the most diagnosed equine disease worldwide. Signs vary, but can include a high fever, laboured breathing, difficulty eating, depression, thick nasal discharge and painful abscesses. In severe cases strangles can pose a risk to horses’ lives.
“The increase in lab-reported cases is very concerning, and we know that many more go unrecorded,,” said Helen Whitelegg, Campaigns and Policy Manager at Redwings, who co-ordinates the SAW collaboration. “There have been 64 diagnoses recorded already this year (to 19 February).
“We are better placed than ever before to reduce the risk and number of cases seen each year but a recent Dechra survey found nearly half of respondents were not aware of the vaccine and a third did not have quarantine protocols for new arrivals, despite 87% reporting that they were concerned about the risk of infectious disease like strangles.
“Furthermore, a recent report based on the use of the vaccine during an outbreak on a yard in Sweden suggests encouraging levels of protection even in the face of confirmed strangles cases on the property. Although two of the three unvaccinated horses with strangles died from their infection, all 17 horses that were vaccinated remained healthy.”
SAW 2026 takes place from 4 – 10 May. Ambassadors will be sent social media content to download and share during SAW, their own digital ambassador badge and updates about the campaign.
SAW messages are developed from the latest research and advice from world-leading experts, shared via practical, accessible resources for owners and yard managers.
Since its inception in 2020, SAW has achieved international recognition, bringing together leading equine welfare charities, educational institutions and research organisations.
Several well-known equestrians have supported the campaign since it began, including eventers William Fox-Pitt, Lucinda Green and Piggy March, dressage rider Richard Davison and equestrian influencer Riding with Rhi.
“The SAW collaborators have created so much content to inform and inspire people to protect horses from strangles, and we’re encouraging horse and yard owners to create some of their own, with our support,” said Helen.
“If we all used BEST practice, we could make a real difference to how this disease impacts our horses, and us.
“There is a comprehensive SAW web page and we’re on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn, and would love people to share from these and tag us.
“We must all work together to tackle this disease, everyone involved in the sector has a part to play.”
To join more than 900 existing ambassadors, visit the Redwings website or go to the SAW Facebook page.
