Vets warn the sweet gesture could sign a horse’s death sentence as humans could inadvertently spread the infection known as ‘strangles’ to others.
Walkers are being urged not to stroke horses while out on winter strolls as they could pass on an infection that could prove fatal. Vets warn the sweet gesture could sign a horse’s death sentence as humans could inadvertently spread the infection known as ‘strangles’ to others.Strangles has been spreading widely among Britain’s horses and is potentially fatal for any animal that contracts it. The respiratory condition, dubbed ‘the most feared infectious disease’, was cited by 56% of horse owners in a Dechra survey as their highest cause for concern.This ranks above equine influenza, equine herpes virus (EHV) and tetanus. By October 2025, the number of confirmed cases in the UK was already more than 25% higher than a typical full year.
A study by Dr Abigail McGlennon and the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has found that frequent transmission of the disease is now occurring ‘across different UK regions’. Whether it be countryside walks, riding schools, racecourses or other public events, many Brits come into contact with horses on a regular basis.Any human coming into contact with an infected horse could pass it on, either directly or via unwashed clothing or shoes. Veterinary surgeon at Dechra, Bex Glasgow, said: “Extensive research in the field demonstrates that strangles is the disease that worries UK horse owners the most and confirmed cases in 2025 have comfortably surpassed the typical annual average.“The public can help horse owners keep this infectious disease as controlled as possible by washing and disinfecting boots and clothes, and by avoiding contact with any horses suspected of carrying strangles. “Approximately 10% of horses that recover from strangles become carriers of the disease, harbouring the bacteria that causes strangles in their guttural pouches without showing symptoms.“These carriers can then spread the infection to others, causing new strangles outbreaks. “For this reason, strangles is a particularly tricky disease to keep under wraps.”BEX’S TOP TIPS FOR AVOIDING THE SPREAD OF STRANGLES1. Don’t touch or feed horses without permission, including those in fields on countryside walks. You could unknowingly spread infection from one animal to another.2. If you’ve been around horses, even for a short visit or day out, be sure to wash your clothes and disinfect your boots before going to another farm, yard or coming into close contact with another horse.For more information, please visit https://www.dechra.com/
