World horse welfare Norfolk strangles case

honetpot said:
I just wonder why there is not proper isolation unit/ protocol, and if they have one why would they have to shut to visitors? Every equine admitted is a potential carrier.
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They do have isolation units (paddocks and stabling) and procedures. Every equine admitted is quarantined for a minimum of two weeks and tested for strangles. If needed, they are quarantined for longer.
Closing is a precautionary measure, partly because the staff will be extra busy with the additional biosecurity measures in place (and they're busy enough under normal circumstances!) and partly because they cannot ensure that visitors won't wander into places they shouldn't (people can be absolute idiots at times).

I urge you to go on one of their visitor tours, they will happily explain their procedures and answer questions of you have them.
 
Positive strangles cases are actually surprisingly rare considering the poor welfare of the majority of the equines they admit. Under normal everyday running the isolation units more likely contain problems such as mites, lice, ringworm etc. Positive strangles tests are usually only found in larger groups rescued from transporters or similar situations where the horses have been confined together.
 
From what I can make out 1 mare tested positive a while ago so any horse movements in the farm stopped, but they were still open to public visiting as the positive horse was in isolation anyway due to being a newcomer. Now more have tested positive, so because it has spread they have shut the farm altogether. With these resuce cases it is always a risk of bringing diseases in. Thankfully like it's been said strangles is still pretty rare, I'm just hoping all horses involved make a full recovery and no more become poorly
 
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