Strangles

Strangles is a highly contagious bacterial disease of horses that spreads primarily through direct horse-to-horse contact and contaminated equipment, people and transport vehicles. Early recognition and prompt isolation are the most effective ways to limit spread.

Good biosecurity protects everyone

Most outbreaks can be contained through early detection, isolation and good biosecurity. One of the greatest challenges with Strangles is that some horses can continue to carry the bacteria after appearing clinically recovered, making appropriate veterinary testing important before returning horses to normal management.

NZTR encourages all participants to work closely with their veterinarian if they have any concerns about a horse's health and continue following good biosecurity practices:

• Avoid sharing tack, grooming equipment, feed bins, or water sources between horses.
• Clean and disinfect equipment such as halters, buckets, grooming tools and lead ropes regularly.
• Thoroughly clean stables and yards, removing contaminated bedding, manure or nasal discharge.
• Clean and disinfect horse floats, trucks and other transport vehicles between uses.
• Monitor horses closely following travel or attendance at events where horses from multiple properties have mixed.
• Isolate any horse showing signs of illness and seek veterinary advice promptly.

If you suspect a horse may have Strangles, contact your veterinarian immediately and avoid moving the horse until veterinary advice has been obtained.

More information

NZ Equine Health Association: Strangles — New Zealand Equine Health Association

NZ Veterinary Association: Strangles: A guide for horse owners | New Zealand Veterinary Association

Current Situation:

Update 27 July 2026:

• Friday 24 July saw one new case of Strangles diagnosed on an existing property, meaning there are no new properties with Strangles that have presented since Tuesday 21 July.
• The outbreak continues to primarily affect training and pre-training properties, with some stud farms also impacted. It remains contained to the Waikato region, with one well-contained property in the Auckland area directly linked to the Waikato outbreak. That property does not take horses to communal training facilities or race meetings.
• Thank you to everyone across the industry for your continued commitment to managing the current Strangles outbreak.
• Your vigilance, prompt reporting and strong biosecurity practices are making a real difference. While we cannot afford to become complacent, the collective effort of all industry participants is helping contain the outbreak and protect the wider thoroughbred industry.

• NZTR and the Racing Integrity Board (RIB) are proposing a measured refinement of the current Strangles management approach. This reflects the encouraging position of the outbreak while maintaining appropriate safeguards to protect the racing industry and has the support of the New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) and the Equine Veterinarians of New Zealand (EVNZ). 

Additional Veterinary Advice:

• Equine Veterinarians New Zealand (EVNZ) has provided the following additional advice:
• Avoid intramuscular injections, including vaccinations, within 12 days of racing. Intramuscular injections can cause Serum Amyloid A (SAA) levels to increase, making results difficult to interpret and less representative of underlying illness.
• Vaccination during the current outbreak is not recommended, except in rare circumstances following consultation with your veterinarian. Vaccinating a horse that has already been exposed to Strangles or is incubating the disease may increase the risk of complications.

Watch the NZVA Strangles Webinar (8 July 2026): NZVA Strangles Webinar