By: Lesley Williams

Lesley Williams — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 18:39:48 +0000

Have learnt a lot about strangles this year, had a friend ask me to take her pony in, as she thought he had strangles and the livery yard were making her life very difficult. He came, was isolated, told two liveries that were here, that he was under suspicion and not to let their horses mix with him. His abscess erupted, very angry with vet as there care and helpfulness left a lot to be desired. He had the swab tests done and was cleared, so went off to his new home, new owner being fully informed of everything. About 2 months after, 2 of my horses came down with different signs of having contracted strangles. While both were lethargic, only one had discharge from his nose, while the other horse showed no signs, except being lethargic. The one horse that had discharge, just had that symptom, the other had an abscess which erupted. The virus was most definelty in wood, after extensive research on the web; this is what I found out. Vet did not give any information about this. I am very lucky that know of a company called Trinity Consultants, I never contacted the vets, as there was nothing they could do. This company made me up a potion for each invdividual horse and they improved rapidly, they were no longer lethargic, appetite returned and within one week everything had improved. Now know that there are different syptoms, up to owner to do extensive research and decide which is the best course of action to take for their horses. Farrier came and I informed him before his visit which horses were infected, said he know of lots of places where strangles is present virtually all the time! Also one vet informed me that a venue where showjumping, dressage is held every week is a known source of strangles. Incidentally this is the one place the first pony had attended an event. Not sure why horse owners are unable to be open and adult about discussing this disease. Saw horses infected with this when living in Egypt and yes horses do die of this, but that does not have to be the case. Luckily I had alternative source of expert advise and knowledge. Vets will always rely on drugs, drugs are backed by big companies, which in my experience their first and foremost concern is to sell drugs!! Helps them to stay in business! Interesting subject and one that needs more more research, horses in the wild do not suffer from this!!?? Also needs much more discussion…Lesley Williams

Comments on: MY EXPERIENCE ON A LIVERY YARD WITH STRANGLES

By: Lesley Williams