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For the first time, international equine and veterinary organisations, including Sweden’s National Veterinary Institute and its 20 member organisations, the Royal GD and MSD Animal Health in the Netherlands, and the University of Melbourne in Australia, will be helping to spread the messages of the Week, which will run from 3rd to 9th May.
They will join over 80 equestrians, vet practices and equine businesses across the UK who have signed up to become Ambassadors for the Week.
Now in its second year, Strangles Awareness Week aims to provide an opportunity for horse owners, yard managers, vets and equine professionals to share their stories and promote support for those affected by the infectious equine disease.
The initiative is a collaborative effort between the British Horse Society, Intervacc, Keeping Britain’s Horses Healthy, Redwings Horse Sanctuary, Scotland’s Rural College’s Premium Assured Strangles Scheme (PASS), Surveillance of Equine Strangles (SES), The (Dick) Royal School of Veterinary Studies and World Horse Welfare.
Together they have decades’ worth of experience of either caring for horses with Strangles, educating horse owners, supporting those coping with outbreaks or research into the disease.
Andie McPherson, Redwings’ Campaigns Manager, said: “We’re delighted to have so many international organisations getting involved in this year’s Strangles Awareness Week. This is particularly positive coming hot on the heels of research revealing just how easily the Strangles pathogen can travel across the globe.
“We hope the growing diversity of organisations and individuals participating truly highlights how Strangles can affect anyone and the importance of working together, as well as encouraging even more people to come forward with their experiences. The more we collectively speak out about Strangles, the quicker we will see fewer horses, owners and businesses facing the misery of dealing with outbreaks.”
As part of the Week’s aim to promote more open and constructive conversations around Strangles, this year’s event will include a series of podcasts with figures from across the equestrian community, such as vets, yard managers, farriers, grooms and transporters, each sharing their unique perspectives and lived experiences of the disease, how they practice good biosecurity and the importance of positive discussions about the disease’s prevention and management.
Everyone will also be able to participate through social media (look for #SAW2021) where there will be opportunities for people to tell their own Strangles stories or share messages from the Week with their own followers. You can even add a specially-designed frame to your Facebook profile photo to really show your support!
Veterinary practices wishing to become more involved can also apply for free resources, including an editable presentation, to host client evenings during the Week – either online or in-person, depending on Covid restrictions at the time.
If you’d like to find out the ways your veterinary practice can get involved or become an Ambassador, please email: campaigns@redwings.co.uk.