What Risk?

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Froddy

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13 July 2008
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Ok just had a horse vetted and it passed with flying colours, vet couldn't have spoken more highly about it about everything.

Horse been at the same yard for a number of years, never had a days illness or lameness (history checked), big livery yard with approx 70+ horses.

However the vet did mention that the area was a hot spot for strangles (hmmm)

The yard it's on has never had an outbreak and it is at least 18 months since there has been an outbreak in the surrounding area according to the vet, who I must say was very thorough IMO, spent ages on the phone going through everything about the exam (quite a distance from where I live so had to use a local vet) Obviously being aware of the stigma and panic caused by the mention of strangles I had a lengthy chat about any risk and vet assured me that there was no sign or indication that the horse had strangles or was likely to develop the disease and was even prepared to put that in writing if I should need it.

I'm of the opinion that there's a very minimal risk, because the information I've been given suggests it's no more of a risk than any other horse which is moved about the country but I'd be interested in some other opinions.

Thanks for reading :)
 
Certainly no reason not to pursue the purchase, the vetting has given the horse a clean bill of health.
Suppose your yard owner asked for a blood test for strangles, [which may be considered good practice], and it was positive, then you would have to have a gutteral pouch wash assuming owner agreed. This could take about ten days if it all was straightforward. If I were the current owner I might ask you to pay for the horse up front, and for all treatments and for livery, to be honest it goes well beyond the "sold subject to vetting". In the meantime, the horse could pick up an infection IF it was on the yard.
To me the new YO should keep any horse in isolation and under observation for 14 days, a blood test will show if the horse has been exposed to the disease.
It is possible that the vet has information about strangles which he is not at liberty to disclose [professional confidentiality], essentially the only thing that could affect you is an outbreak on the current premises.
Strangles in the area is not the same as strangles on the yard, as it is spread by contagion, ie not airborne.
 
Depends on how they handle new horses coming onto the yard, isolation procedures etc as this is how horses often get strangles outsider horses coming in with this or carriers. Horses often have had strangles and the owner would never know as it just shows as a slight chill or mild cold.
 
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