Desperate situation, can anybody help?

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LauraWinter

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Hi everyone, I havent been on here for a while as I have been busy but I wondered if any of you lovely people might have any suggestions as you have been so helpful in the past.... basically our yard has strangles, my riding horse has had it a few weeks ago and got over it although it made him very ill, and one very hefty vets bill later he has had the first of his swabs back which are taken several weeks after recovery to determine that he is no longer infectious, and that was clear which is great news, BUT my mare and foal are also kept at the same yard and although the strangles has not yet spread to their field (as far as we know- in that none of the herd she is in are showing any symptoms) I am extremely worried that sooner or later it will do. All precautions are being taken, disinfectant etc but there is no avoiding that they have to be checked on daily and it is so contagious that it could potentially be spread that way- even flies could carry it with them
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I have been looking to move my mare and foal away temporarily while it is going on for some time now but I am not having any luck. And now two horses have developed bastard strangles and I am just so worried I feel sick all the time. I obviously need a field on its own, not near other horses for them as although I dont think they have it, if they have picked it up but not yet showing symptoms they would be a risk to other horses. I have tried everything I can think of to find a field somewhere for them- I dont even need a stable or shelter, just secure fencing but I have had no luck whatsoever. I feel so helpless, I literally cant find anywhere for them to go. I never knew that small paddocks to rent were like hens teeth but I am finding out now. Does anybody have any suggestions?

Thank you, and a big glass of white wine to anybody who read all the way- I have got through a few of those myself lately as you can imagine
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What an awful situation Laura!!! I can't help, as too far away, but I hope you find somewhere soon, and fingers crossed neither of them get it!!! (((Hugs)))x
 
Thanks for the support guys, I am just keeping my fingers crossed that I do find somewhere for them soon then maybe I will at least get some sleep at night!
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Ooooh yes sorry, I didnt say did I?! Silly me....its the stress you see!! I am in Exeter, Devon and I would need it to be reasonably near by to get out there twice a day as well as looking after the other horse, two jobs and my degree work
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why don't you ring local farmers, or Farmwatch, it may be that an arable farmer might have a small spare grass paddock. understandably horsey people aren't going to be very helpful from fear that their horses might get it.
why not ring local radio with your plea, tonight and tomorrow, it's just the sort of thing they might read out and surely someone useful would hear and help. or, try local papers, but that would be slower.
really hope you manage to find somewhere and your foal doesn't get it.
 
Yes I was thinking that farmers will be the most likely to be able to help, I have contacted loads already- you should of heard me ringing up the most random people I was going "Oh hi I am a friend of x who knows x who knows x who is x's cousins brother twice removeds friend and he gave me your number....."
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Still no luck though. I have been on the internet loads and I havent quite run out of leads yet but i dont really know a huge circle of people personally, especially farmers so I think I will reach the end of them soon, although I have left my number and email address with them all in case they hear of anything. I had NO idea it would be so hard to find such a thing!
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Whilst I can only imagine how worried you must be about all your horses, I have to say that your yard should be making it clear that absolutely nothing is to move anywhere. By moving your mare and foal out of the yard, you may, inadvertently, be transmitting the disease outwith your yard radius, even if they are showing no symptoms. If your yard has confirmed strangles, you are all, in effect, in quarantine.

Sorry
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How awful for you all. We had strangles here about 6 years ago - friends mare bought it back from stud with her. We did all the quarantine stuff and luckily nothing else on the yard got it and the mare made a full recovery and carried her foal to full term - he is a great big lump of a 5 year old now!!

So I guess what I am trying to say is that you are doing all the right things and as scotlass said really nothing should be moving off your yard anyway. Just make sure the quarantine procedure is strictly adhered to and that they stay healthy.

Fingers crossed for you.
 
I have to say I know its upsetting for you but you're being selfish in considering moving, you'd transmit it to other people and then they'd go through the same thing you are now.

Stay put, your yard shouldnt be letting you move anyway, follow all instructions to the letter and make sure you do your best by them x
 
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