The Winter Of The Strangles

1. Now that must sound like a strange title to you non-horsey people but to those that have them it strikes fear right to the tips of your muck boots. Strangles is a condition caused by streptococcus equi. It is highly contagious and is characterized by severe inflammation of the mucosa of the head and throat. It first appears to be a cold with symptoms of sore throat, runny nose and cough but develops into swelling of the lymph nodes that often rupture and produce tons of yukky pus. Let us just say that it has been Pus Central for the past six weeks. During the coldest winter months I board my 5 guys at a nearby riding stable that has an indoor arena. There are 12 horses and ponies there and out of the 12 eleven of them have had strangles. We don't know how we got it but it can come in on the farrier and vet tools or clothes if they have been working on a horse that is coming down with it and doesn't even show any symptoms yet. It can come in on a new horse but we haven't had any new horses come in so that is out. Regardless we have it in the barn and it has been awful. My old horse age 25 was so sick we thought we might have to have him put down the day before Christmas but thankfully he pulled through and doesn't seem any worse the wear now. I have become very adept at using a rectal thermometer a talent I could have done without for the rest of my life and been happy. We have given so many shots that we have lost count but thankfully we are past that now too. I love my horses, they are part of the family and when they are sick I am sick at heart because they can't tell you what hurts and can't climb in your lap to be rocked even though they would like to. So, six weeks later and everyone seems to be on the mend and I am happy. In 45 years of having horses I have never dealt with this and hope to never again. Let this be the Last Winter Of The Strangles!