I'm just a bit worried. Katie, our big bay roan has strangles, we hadn't been able to find her for a few days, but I found her today, and her forelegs are really swollen? Is this a usual symptom?
I have never seen it before, but luckily have never had much suffer badly with strangles before. The lumps under her throat have burst, she has lost quite a lot of condition, and has wandered along way from her usual haunt.
I have read some of the symptoms Vie and Faye have had with foals with fatal outcomes!!
Was wondering if anyone has had the same symptoms and the ponies have recovered fully?? Asking hopefully
Thanks,
ClaireK

Hi Claire,sorry to hear about Katie,I do not think Fayes foals died from strangles but I may be wrong.I spoke to her at the sales and she thought it was not.In my experiance the only thing to do with strangles is to make sure they have plenty of food iff needed at head level so they can eat without bending down.No stress.They usually get over it and then they are immune.We had one years ago that was at deaths door with it but we kept her going by hand feeding and bathing the abcesses and she was fine.

Hope your roan is OK.
Is she still in the part of the forest where I used to see her?

Thanks very much Mike for that. She is still on the forest and is grazing OK, they are not huge lumps under her throat, so they are not impeeding her head movement so far, but will keep a close eye on her.Have yours had the swollen legs with strangles?

Hi Helen,
She has been on Whitefield moor for the summer, (she had to come in early last spring from Burley, as she went downhill after eating a load of grass cuttings)
After this last Weirs drift she ended up at the Rising sun pub! Then went back to Whitemoor, then picked up strangles, and is now wandering all over the place!! Today was by Wootton Stream, so I think heading back to the pub....I know how she feels :+)xx

Its funny where they end up after drifts! We had 2 mares & foals that came in at Backley pound, were branded at Woods Corner, & instead of going back to Backley as normal they are now over at Holmsely. Got another one that found its way through the underpass at Picket Post from Linford & is now at Woods Corner.
But the palomino that came in at Linford & jumped out of a field at Burley Lodge is now back at Linford!!

horses who have had strangles are NOT always immune afterwards. Some horses will get immunity for life but the majority will be immune for months or a few years, and some will be able to catch it again pretty much straight away (according to our vets and AHT).

We had one die from strangles (was a definate strangles) and she was very porly but didnt have any leg swelling. saying that one of our others that caught it did. I think it was because she didnt feel like moving around much so the legs swell (like they do in some stabled horses)although you have said your mare has been moving around so not sure, i would ask your vets im sure they will put your mind at rest

my baby had strangles ,and recoverd well his legs swelled towards the end period .he was fine with it,i just kept a good eye on him x

Hi Claire, sorry to hear the poor girl has got strangles. Pepsi had it two years ago. Fortunately she wasn't too bad, although she did lose condition. To be honest I couldn't tell you if her legs got swollen as I kept away from her. She recovered fairly quickly.

How is Katie?

Well she has wandered off again, so I havent found her for three days! On Sunday she was on the triangle of grass outside the Rising Sun, grazing away. She did'nt appear to be lame,and had been enjoying a bucket for the few days before that, and looked better in herself, so I thought she would have stayed

:-~.

The lumps seem about the same as in the photo, at leadst not as large as when I first saw them. They may have burst? They cant be too painful, or I dont think she would travel so much.

I'm sure she is on the mend, just would like to see again soon!!

How are your lot?? All keeping well I hope? Do you still have your bamtams? I have just sold a load to get rid of some cockerals, so only have three hens left. I dont suppose you have any hens you want to sell

Lastly, are you going on Friday night,(CDA) I'm having a table to show paintings, so well hopefully will see you there. xxx

.

Hi Claire,it sounds as though she may be on the mend,lets hope so.Our ponies are well,we are doing our last foal,Ashlett Merrylegs a little roan filly.I do still have bantams but none for sale,in fact I shall be looking to buy some P.O.L.later.Put a post up for Jane(mopley oldie)she breeds lovely hens.We shall be there on Friday,see you then.