State Vet Confirms More Strangles Cases in Wyoming Horses

The original by Raelyn Baker for Wyoming News Now.

A familiar horse disease is popping up again in Wyoming. The Wyoming State Veterinary Lab says two new cases of equine strangles were confirmed in the past month — one in Sheridan County and one in Albany County — bringing the total to 11 cases this year.

“Strangles is one of the most common diseases that we see in horses,” said State Veterinarian Dr. Hallie Hasel. “It’s so common and widespread across the US that it’s not even a reportable disease for the Wyoming Livestock Board.”

Strangles, also known as equine distemper, is a streptococcal bacterial infection. It typically causes swollen lymph nodes in the head and neck, nasal discharge, fever and respiratory signs like coughing or sneezing. In some horses, the swollen nodes can become abscessed and painful.

The disease spreads easily through direct contact with infected horses or contaminated gear, like buckets, tack, clothes and even your boots.

Dr. Hasel says simple biosecurity steps go a long way:

• Clean and disinfect water buckets and feed tubs;
• Don’t share halters, brushes, or tack with other owners;
• Change or clean clothes and boots after shows or clinics;
• Quarantine new or returning horses when possible.

“We recommend these practices at any event you take your horse to — show, ride, clinic, whatever — to prevent strangles and a lot of other diseases,” she said.

Hasel also urged owners to think carefully before hauling out:
“First, determine: do I really need to go to this event? If I’m worried about this risk, is the risk worth going? Sometimes you really need to evaluate that when you’re traveling with your horse.”

For more details on prevention and vaccination, owners can check out resources like the AAEP Strangles Vaccination Guidelines or articles on recognizing and treating strangles.