With Strangles Awareness Week 2025 (5th–11th May) just around the corner, Redwings is calling on vets, horse owners and yard managers to sign up as Ambassadors and help spread vital messages to prevent the spread of this highly contagious equine disease.
At the heart of the campaign is the easy-to-remember BEST acronym:
- Boost immunity with Strangles vaccination
- Engage with trusted information
- Separate unfamiliar horses
- Temp check routinely
Strangles is the most diagnosed equine disease worldwide, yet awareness and prevention can make a huge difference. Signs include high fever, difficulty eating, nasal discharge and painful abscesses – and in severe cases, it can be life-threatening. In 2024, over 260 lab-confirmed UK cases were recorded, with many more likely undiagnosed. More than 40 have already been confirmed in 2025.
Now in its sixth year, Strangles Awareness Week (SAW) is coordinated by Redwings and backed by equine vets, welfare charities, educators and researchers across the UK and beyond. Ambassadors receive a digital badge, shareable social media assets, and campaign updates, making it easy to get involved and help protect horses across the country.
Helen Whitelegg, Campaigns and Policy Manager at Redwings, said: “The risk of Strangles is very real for every UK horse owner. But by working together and sharing clear, evidence-based messages, we can reduce both the number of cases and the impact of this distressing disease.”
High-profile equestrians like William Fox-Pitt, Lucinda Green and Piggy March have lent their voices to the campaign, and more than 750 Ambassadors helped reach 2.8 million people in 2024.
Vets are especially encouraged to join the campaign. Over 80 vet practices have already signed up and received access to editable presentations and event resources to support outreach in their communities.
Whether you’re a professional in the industry or a passionate horse owner, now is the time to act. Sign up today to be part of the solution and make a real difference this May.
Find out more and become a SAW Ambassador at www.redwings.org.uk/strangles
