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Norfolk equine centre closes amid strangles outbreak
The outbreak was first reported in a new arrival on 5 February.
The World Horse Welfare farm has suspended all horse movements.

An equine rescue and rehoming centre in Norfolk has closed following an outbreak of strangles among its resident horses.

Hall Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre, located in Snetterton, has suspended all movement of horses in and out of the farm as it works to prevent the spread of the respiratory disease.

The outbreak was first reported on 5 February, after a recent arrival to the centre tested positive for the highly infectious disease. The affected horse was put into isolation from the herd until it was no longer infectious.

However, following further cases on site, the centre has now been closed to visitors as a precautionary measure.

World Horse Welfare has cancelled all of its planned equestrian events, including a pole clinic. Rehoming will also be suspended until the centre is clear from infection.

While it is not a notifiable disease, strangles is a highly infectious respiratory condition affecting the horse’s upper respiratory tract.

World Horse Welfare says that its team is experienced in managing the disease, and is taking robust action to prevent the spread and protect the wider equine population. Animals which have contracted the disease are receiving treatment and are expected to make a full recovery.

Hall Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre says that it will not hire out the venue for any equine until it is 100 per cent confident there is no further risk.

Malcolm Morley, World Horse Welfare’s director of UK support, said: “Given the nature of the horses World Horse Welfare helps, cases like this are not unexpected, and the team have well-rehearsed biosecurity measures to mitigate the risk of disease spread.

“Whilst the risk of strangles spreading off the farm by visitors is extremely low, we felt we should take this additional step and close our doors to visitors whilst we investigate.

“We would like to apologise to everyone who had planned to visit Hall Farm this half term and reassure those who have visited recently that the disease poses no risk to humans.”

Image © Shutterstock

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Free CPD announced for BVNA members

News Story 1
 Zoetis is to present a CPD event for free to members of the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA).

Led by veterinary consultant Ruth Moxon, the one-hour online session is designed to help veterinary nurses discuss parasiticide options with clients. It will advise on structuring recommendations, factors for product choice and moving away from 'selling'.

'How do you recommend parasite treatments to your clients?' will be presented on Tuesday, 20 May at 7.30pm. It is free for BVNA members, with £15.00 tickets for non-members.

Veterinary nurses can email cpd@bvna.co.uk to book their place. 

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DAERA to reduce BVD 'grace period'

DAERA has reminded herd keepers of an upcoming reduction to the 'grace period' to avoid BVD herd restrictions.

From 1 May 2025, herd keepers will have seven days to cull any BVD positive or inconclusive animals to avoid restrictions being applied to their herd.

It follows legislation introduced on 1 February, as DAERA introduces herd movement restrictions through a phased approach. Herd keepers originally had 28 days to cull BVD positive or inconclusive animals.

DAERA says that, providing herd keepers use the seven-day grace period, no herds should be restricted within the first year of these measures.

Additional measures, which will target herds with animals over 30 days old that haven't been tested for BVD, will be introduced from 1 June 2025.

More information is available on the DAERA website.