With a recent Strangles outbreak reported in the North Island (June / July 2026), we are urging all our equine clients in the Wairarapa area to be vigilant.
Is your horse at risk?
The risk of exposure is significantly higher if you plan on travelling for competitions or events where your horse may come into contact with horses from affected areas. Strangles is a highly contagious disease and can spread quickly through direct and indirect contact.
Our Recommendation: Vaccinate!
We strongly recommend vaccinating your horse against Strangles to provide protection.
About the Vaccination Course:
- For Unvaccinated Horses: The initial course consists of three doses of the Equivac S or Equivac 2-in-1 vaccine, given two weeks apart. Please be aware that your horse is not considered fully protected until after the third dose.
- Annual Boosters: To maintain immunity, a yearly booster is essential. If it has been more than a year since your horse’s last vaccine, the full three-dose course will need to be restarted to ensure protection.
Important Things to Know:
- Effectiveness: While no vaccine offers 100% protection, the Strangles vaccine significantly reduces the severity of the disease. A vaccinated horse that contracts Strangles will typically experience a much milder form of the illness and recover more quickly.
- Side Effects: A small percentage of horses may experience a temporary sore neck or swelling at the injection site. For this reason, we advise against scheduling the vaccination right before a major competition.
Ready to book?
Protect your horse now, especially if you have travel plans for the spring.
Email us or book online via our website.
When booking, please let us know the names of the horses to be vaccinated and your location.
Let’s work together to keep our equine community safe and healthy