Transmission

Once inside a stable or yard, strangles can spread quickly through direct contact between horses or via indirect contact, e.g

• tack and equipment
• shared drinking bowls and feed
• clothing
• hands

The bacterium enters the lymph glands via the respiratory tract and may harbour in the guttural pouch. The lymph nodes swell and may rupture, shedding the bacteria into the environment. It is thought that the bacteria can survive in water for at least four weeks, and up to eight weeks on tack or wood.

Once transmitted, signs of disease usually occur after 3-14 days, with abscesses formed up to 2 weeks following infection.