ridecamp@endurance.net: strangles?

strangles?

AFA@co.clark.nv.us
Fri, 06 Jun 1997 06:57 -0800 (PST)

Last night I was planning on having a nice lesson at my trainers when I
noticed a somewhat large lump on my mares jaw. Two weeks ago I felt a
somewhat hard small lump in the same area but I didn't think it was
anything so I didn't mention it. Well, this time it was much larger so I said
something to my trainer. She thinks it is strangles.

I wonder if I could get information about this from those of you who have
experienced it. Some strange things about this are the following. My
mare is 11 years old. My trainer said it is mostly seen in younger animals.
I did read in one of my horse books that once a horse comes in contact
with strangles they are then resistant to it, like chicken pox in humans (I
think this is what the book meant). So most horses get it at younger
ages, also like humans and chicken pox. Also, my horse is kept in a
friend's backyard with her 6 year old gelding. I do not travel to shows,
vets, organized rides, etc. as I do not have a trailer. The only places we
go are to our weekly lesson, which the gelding also goes to and on trail
rides most of which the gelding also goes on. How did my mare come in
contact with the bacteria that causes strangles? Could it be something
else? She hasn't refused water or feed yet and isn't acting too upset by
the lump. When I touch it it does seem a little sensitive to her but she will
let me put hot compresses on it which I did last night on the
recommendation of my trainer. Should I keep my mare away from the
gelding? They have been together since I first noticed the lump two
weeks ago and are currently still together now. By together I mean in
stalls with a common panel separating them. The book said the incubation
period is 3 days. Does that mean it is already too late to avoid his
exposure to it? Also, there is no worries with this passing from horse to
human is there? I am a little worried because the owner or the gelding
and myself are both pregnant.

Thanks in advance for any advice with this. This is my first experience
with strangles.

Andrea Faustina
afa@co.clark.nv.us

Home Events Groups Rider Directory Market RideCamp Stuff