Equine strangles, also known simply as “strangles,” is a highly contagious bacterial infection that affects horses, ponies, and other equids. It is caused by the bacterium Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (S. equi). Strangles is characterized by abscesses and inflammation of the lymph nodes in the head and neck area, leading to symptoms such as fever, nasal discharge, difficulty swallowing, and swelling of the lymph nodes. Here are some key points...
Have your horse “vetted out.” Your veterinarian should be contacted and requested to perform a pre-purchase examination of any horse you might consider purchasing. A pre-purchase examination is entirely different from a veterinary examination pertaining to normal vaccinations, deworming, or any other sort of veterinary procedure. Generally, horses are sold with no warranties, with some limits, and if the buyer elects not to have the horse “vetted out,” the buyer...
