Support for Strangles Awareness Week from top UK riders

Some of the biggest names in riding get behind the Temp Check Challenge 

Strangles Awareness Week runs until 7 May and one of its key features is the Temp Check Challenge that encourages yards and owners to make a habit of regularly checking their horses’ temperatures as a way of minimising the scale and impact of a potential strangles outbreak.

Included in the awareness week is a free online checker for inputting daily recordings. Anyone who enters a reading three or more times during the week will be entered into a prize draw in which they could win a behind-the-scenes tour with either five-star eventer Piggy March, top dressage rider Richard Davison or international showjumper Joe Davison.

A high temperature is the most common early sign of infection and, in the case of strangles, it typically comes two to three days before horses begin shedding the bacteria that cause the disease. By checking your horse’s temperature regularly, you’ll get to know his normal temperature, so if you notice a spike, you’ll be able to take appropriate action that could help prevent any spread of disease by containing it. Piggy, Richard and Joe have already been checking their horses’ temperatures as a precautionary step against strangles.

Piggy said: “I’m very happy to be supporting this important campaign again this year and do my part in raising awareness of the threat of strangles, which can be so devastating for a yard or equestrian business. It can cause very nasty complications in some horses and, in the worst cases, loss of life.”

For more information, visit redwings.org.uk