Strangles Awareness Week (SAW) is back, promoting the BEST steps to protecting horses from Strangles. Horse and yard owners are being encouraged to get involved by signing up as Ambassadors and helping to share the campaign’s essential BEST practice guidance to prevent the spread of this contagious disease.
This year also sees the launch of Redwings’ latest animation, developed in conjunction with leading equestrian organisations, including LiveryList, to showcase the BEST ways to protect horses and yards from Strangles. The animation is designed to be practical, engaging, and easy to share, helping horse owners and yard managers stay a step ahead of the disease and reduce its spread across the UK.
The acronym BEST stands for:
- B — Boost immunity with Strangles vaccination
- E — Engage with trusted information
- S — Separate unfamiliar horses
- T — Temp check routinely
SAW 2026 takes place from 4th – 10th May, aiming to bring the entire horse community together to reduce the scale and impact of Strangles outbreaks, which can be both financially and emotionally costly.
Alarmingly, last year saw a 77% increase in lab-reported cases, with 477 cases logged by the Surveillance of Equine Strangles scheme in 2025, compared to 270 in 2024. Strangles is one of the most diagnosed equine diseases worldwide, with symptoms ranging from high fever, laboured breathing, difficulty eating, depression, and thick nasal discharge, to painful abscesses. In severe cases, Strangles can even threaten a horse’s life.
Helen Whitelegg, Redwings’ Campaigns and Policy Manager, said:
“The increase in lab-reported cases is very concerning, and many more likely go unrecorded. Already this year, 64 diagnoses have been recorded (to 19th February). We have more tools than ever to reduce cases, yet a recent Dechra survey found nearly half of respondents were unaware of the vaccine, and a third lacked quarantine protocols for new arrivals—even though 87% reported concerns about infectious diseases like Strangles.”
Ambassadors will receive:
- A suite of social media assets ready to download and share
- A digital Ambassador badge
- Regular updates about the campaign
Every horse deserves the BEST. By taking these simple, proven actions, we can protect horses, prevent outbreaks, and enjoy life with them safely.
Find out more and sign up to be a SAW Ambassador for FREE on the Redwings website.