When a horse has been vaccinated against strangles, this reduces its risk of contracting the disease, of the disease being severe, and of spreading the disease.2,3 It is recommended to still quarantine these horses, however yard owners may wish to take into account the biosecurity measures already in place, whether the horse has also been vaccinated against other infectious disease, and the horse’s deworming status.3,5
Given the serious impact a strangles outbreak has on horse welfare and yard finances, preventing the infection from spreading is vital.1,2 Biosecurity and vaccination go hand-in-hand as the two most important steps you can take to limit the spread when new horses enter your yard.2,3
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What are the most important preventative biosecurity measures?
New horses entering a yard are often linked to outbreaks.2,4 It is important to follow strict biosecurity protocols for these horses.2,3
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Quarantine new arrivals for a minimum of three weeks.5 These horses should have no direct contact with other horses, or indirect contact via equipment used for other horses.5
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Test horses using the strangles blood test or guttural pouch endoscopy. Ideally do this before arrival, or while horses are in quarantine, to identify horses exposed to, or persistent carriers of, strangles.5
Fully vaccinated horses that move premises are less likely to develop clinical signs or to transmit strangles.3 Vaccination among a receiving yard population is considered to provide better protection for yards than tests such as pre-movement serology, which may miss chronic carriers.3
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Do not share drinking water and avoid direct contact with other horses while attending equine events.5
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Regularly clean and disinfect all food and water containers, clothing, stabling and equipment at your yard.5,11
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Clean and disinfect horseboxes/trailers before and after collecting any new horses.5
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Wash hands between handling different horses.5
Watch the video below to learn about preventative measures for controlling strangles
Vaccination in combination with biosecurity measures can give owners peace of mind2,3,6
FAQs – Your questions answered
Will a newly arrived horse still need to quarantine if it is vaccinated against strangles? add
References add
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Boyle et al. J Vet Intern Med. 2018;32:633–647.
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Rask E, et al. Animals (Basel). 2025;15(24):3584.
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Rendle D, et al. Equine Vet Educ 2025;37:90–97.
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McGlennon A. et al. Equine Vet J. 2025; 58(2): 533-548. doi: 10.1111/evj.14558
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Ivens, P. Vet Times. Available at: https://www.vettimes.co.uk/app/uploads/wp-post-to-pdf-enhanced-cache/1/implementing-biosecurity-in-an-equine-environment.pdf (Accessed July 2026).
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Your Horse. Available at: https://www.yourhorse.co.uk/news/livery-yard-strangles-vaccination-policy/ (Accessed July 2026).
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Strangvac SPC.
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Robinson C, et al. Vaccine. 2020;38(31):4861–4868.
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Pasik J, et al. Anim Health Res Rev 2004;5(2):257-62.
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Hedenström U, et al. Equine Veterinary Education 2026:38(8):e544-e549.
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British Horse Society. Available at: https://www.bhs.org.uk/horse-care-and-welfare/health-care-management/horse-health/equine-diseases/strangles/ (Accessed July 2026).