Take the temperature check challenge

Yards and horse owners are encouraged to get a free pack as part of the ‘temp check challenge’ for Strangles Awareness Week

This year’s event will run from 1–7 May aiming to encourage horse owners to be more strangles aware. You can order a free pack which contains 10 thermometers, five pin badges, artwork and text to be used on websites and social media to help boost awareness.

The idea of the campaign run by Redwings Horse Sanctuary is to encourage early diagnosis to better tackle the outbreaks. Strangles is the most diagnosed equine disease worldwide and spreads so easily and so fast. Symptoms can include high fever, laboured breathing, contagious respiratory issues, abscesses, thick discharge and difficulty eating. A high temperature is an early warning sign that your horse may have strangles, so by regularly checking his temperature and getting to know what’s ‘normal’ for him, you’ll be able to tell when it’s raised and, therefore, when he might be infected.

When you receive your pack, you’ll need to take your horse’s resting temperature every day during the week. You can then pop the reading on the online checker that will calculate your horse’s average temperature. If you upload your results three or more times, you’ll be entered into a prize draw to win a behind-the-scenes yard tour with either five-star eventer Piggy March or top dressage rider and showjumper Richard and Joe Davison.

Campaigns Manager Andie McPherson at Redwings Horse Sanctuary, said: “We really hope this year’s campaign will be embraced by yards and event venues as well as individual owners. Hickstead, the All England Jumping Course, Hartpury University and College and the Scottish National Equestrian Centre have already signed up.”

For more information or to sign up for your free pack, visit redwings.org.uk