All I want for Christmas… is protection against Strangles
Well there are many things you may think your horse or pony would prefer as a Christmas gift, but with the number of positive lab tests for Streptococcus equi equi, the bacteria which causes Strangles, higher than ever in 2025, the Ballinger Equine team recommends that vaccination for this horrible and prevalent disease is high up the Christmas list.
Record number of positive samples for Strangles submitted to Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance
To date, in 2025 (as of figures to 21 November), 425 positive samples for Strangles have been submitted to Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, the most for any year. Typically we might expect around 300 for any given calendar year. You can read more clinical detail about Strangles in our own briefing.
And, as we have an effective vaccination to help protect against Strangles, why not vaccinate now?
Strangles Q & A
Firstly, let’s have a brief recap with a Strangles Q & A
What is Strangles?
- Strangles is a highly contagious bacterial infection that spreads quickly through yards. The bacteria responsible is Streptococcus equi equi.
- It causes fever, swollen glands, and difficulty swallowing, and in some cases death.
- It can shut down a yard for weeks.
Why should I care about Strangles?
- Strangles is common and very contagious.
- Strangles spreads easily through shared water, yards, grooming kits, tack and even people’s hands or clothing.
- Outbreaks often result in yard closures, quarantine, large expense, and significant disruption lasting from weeks to months.
- Vaccination against Strangles is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of outbreaks.
Is the Strangles vaccine safe?
- Yes. Very safe
- It’s given by intramuscular injection just like a flu and tetanus vaccine.
- Strangvac® has a very low rate of side effects following injection.
- Typical reactions are mild and short-lived. Occasionally there may be a small swelling at the injection site and mild, short-lived rises in temperature. So far we have not seen anything of concern.
Can my horse still catch Strangles if it’s been vaccinated?
- It is still possible, but unlikely that signs will be present. If there is an infection, it will be:
- Much milder (so it may not even be noticed)
- Shorter in duration
- Unlikely to cause lymph node abscesses, thereby decreasing shedding and risk of spread
- Less likely to spread throughout the other horses on the yard
- Vaccination dramatically reduces the impact, even in exposure occurs.
I run a riding school/livery yard. Why should I encourage my clients to vaccinate their horses?
- A single Strangles case can shut down a riding school/livery yard for a minimum of 6-12 weeks.
- Vaccination significantly reduces the chance of an outbreak. It limits the spread of disease between horses and hence reduces the duration of yard closures.
- Thus protecting equestrian businesses from costs of closure, challenges in management, unwelcome negative social media attention and high medical costs.
If my horse is vaccinated for Strangles, won’t they always test positive on pre-movement Strangles tests?
- Due to Strangvac® being made of proteins and not live organisms, it does not interfere with the standard blood, swab or PCR tests.
- This means we can tell the difference between vaccinated horses and infected horses – very handy during outbreaks!
I’m not sure if my horse really needs vaccinating… who is the vaccine recommended for?
- Vaccination is strongly recommended for:
- Competition horses
- Horses who travel frequently
- Yards with regular comings and goings
- Yards with young or elderly horses
- busy livery yards
- Horses who attend clinics, group rides or shows
So… in short there is no reason not to vaccinate your horse or pony. Think of it as an insurance policy – one which you should never have to make a claim.
Why should we vaccinate if our yard has never had a case of strangles?
- Horses travelling to shows, sales, clinics or new homes can bring Strangles in without showing symptoms.
- Vaccination helps protect your yard before trouble arrives.
- The cost of prevention is much, much lower than treatment after the fact.
My horse doesn’t leave the yard, so do I really need to vaccinate?
- A yard that vaccinates together provides much better protected for the whole herd.
- Even low movement horses are at risk of Strangles because:
- New arrivals can carry Strangles silently
- Vehicles, instructors, farriers and sharers move between yards
- Shared equipment or water sources can spread the infection
- Vaccination protects your horse even if it stays at home!
So… Should we vaccinate the whole yard?
- Vaccinating the whole yard is not always required, but is strongly recommended
- A vaccinated yard:
- Massively lowers the chance of an outbreak
- Reduces the spread of Strangles amongst horses on the yard if it arrives
- Herd level vaccination = much stronger protection for everyone
In the current cost-of-living crisis, is the vaccine really worth the financial cost?
- Yes – when compared with all the costs associated with an outbreak:
- Extended yard closure
- Lost lessons or livery income
- Treatment costs/Vet bills to support your horse through the infection
- Isolation and testing fees
- Long recovery times
- Vaccination is a comparatively small upfront cost that prevents major financial impact
The vaccine is a gift for you as well as your horse!
- Strangles can be frightening, unpleasant, and emotionally taxing for owners.
- It can be concerning seeing reports of Strangles on yards within your area – there can be a lot of scaremongering and misinformation, especially on social media.
- Vaccination provides confidence, reassurance and peace of mind for owners that their horse is best equipped to deal with any Strangles disease challenge!
My horse is already vaccinated regularly for Influenza and Tetanus. It’s too confusing to add another set of vaccines to manage.
- The Strangvac® vaccination schedule is straightforward.
- Primary course = Two injections approx. 4 weeks apart with an initial booster at 6 months.
- Subsequent boosters are then needed at a time interval depending on your exposure.
- Medium/High risk horses should boost every 6 months
- Low risk horses should boost every 12 months
- If there is an outbreak locally, boost straight away.
- And, if you need the booster, check if you can schedule your flu and tetanus vaccine at the same time.
Still unconvinced that your horse or pony would like Strangvac® for Christmas?
We can help with a very special seasonal offer.
Ballinger Equine, in conjunction with Dechra, the manufacturers of Strangvac®, are delighted to offer a special Christmas bundle for the primary, secondary and 6 month booster vaccinations at £129.60 inc. VAT. (this price includes three Strangvac vaccinations and administration of the vaccine by one of our vets. It does not include the visit fee for each administration).
The first vaccine must be administered in December 2025 and the bundle must be paid for at the time of booking. This very special seasonal offer is available to new and existing clients within our service area.
Special ‘Elf on the Shelf’ Christmas bonus
And as if that wasn’t special enough… as an added festive offer, suggested by our very own ‘Elf on the Shelf’, (because elves understand the benefit of herd immunity and the whole yard being vaccinated) if there are three horses or more at one premises being vaccinated at the same time, the visit fee for all three will be free of charge as well!
So, don’t delay. Get in touch with our practice team on 01462 414008, book in for a visit before 31 December 2025, and give your horse or pony a Christmas present for which they will be truly grateful. After all, they probably already have plenty of rugs, numnahs and treats!
