[southerncowgirl93]

Hi. I just went and looked at a mare today that I'm thinking about buying. She's a very nice mare with a wonderful gait, and the only thing I saw was she had a small (about an inch long) lateral crack in the middle of her right front hoof. I rode her and it didn't bother her at all. The lady I met said she was selling her for a friend and she thought she had foundered and gotten an abscess that busted, but wasn't entirely sure. I was just wondering what yall think it may have been and if it could affect her at all? Also, she has had Strangles before, so can she get it again?

 

[SuperStarsSugar]

I don't know this for sure, but I'm pretty sure horses that have had strangles are more susceptible to it or are carriers or something, but I'm not sure on that. I just read it somewhere (the Horse? maybe) so you might want to check me on that. As far as the lateral crack goes, I wouldn't really worry about it. Those can happen if the coronet gets damaged at all, like a burst abcess or if the hoof gets stepped on in the trailer or something. They usually grow down just fine.

 

[barefoothooves]

Lateral cracks are almost always a non-issue, especially that size. The only hitch is that as it grows down and reaches the bottom, the area just below can tend to break off a little, but usually doesn't cause any lameness or further issues. It could be an indication of founder/hoof issues, especially if you see several of them, but in general, they are nothing to worry about.

Strangles, once they have it, is less of a threat in the future. I think you get better future immunity from actually having it than from the vaccine, at least in my experience, but I'm not a vet, and most would probably still tell you to vaccinate for it. I think they pretty much carry it while sick with it, then it's not apt to spread again, but hopefully Ryle will see this and put in her 2 cents. However, ranches or other facilities that have an outbreak may have future outbreaks when conditions are right, but that is old information, and possibly inaccurate. =/

 

[southerncowgirl93]

Well she had strangles a month ago, and now I'm afraid I may have given some of my horses it. I don't remember if it is spread by direct contact or not, and I didn't change clothes when I got home to go feed my horses and clean the stall(only my show mare is in now), and now I'm really afraid she and a couple of the others may get it.

 

[Honeysuga]

Ugh, honey had strangles, got it form the auction house where I found her. That is some miserable stuff, having to drain those cysts, her not being able to eat cause of the pain.... I pray your horses don't get it...

 

[Ryle]

If she had Strangles a month ago, it is possible though not highly likely, that she is still shedding the bacteria. It is also possible that she could become a silent carrier and shed the bacteria at random intervals for years (only about a 25% chance of this). This second situation is why farms which have had Strangles in years past may see it again without having any new animals come onto the property

After contracting Strangles, most horses develop a strong and long-lasting immunity to the bacteria that cause this disease so it's much less likely that they will contract it again.

If you purchase this horse, I would be sure to quarantine her for at least 3 weeks just to help insure that you don't end up exposing any of your other horses.

 

[HalfPass]

Hello...
Isn't there a test that can be given to see if a horse that has had strangles, is in fact a carrier??? I think I read there is a test.
It is a ****** of an illness and sad to see at that.
HP

 

[Ryle]

Yes, guttaral pouchs can be examined and samples taken from that area for culture to see if the bacteria is residing there.

 

[SuperStarsSugar]

If she had Strangles a month ago, it is possible though not highly likely, that she is still shedding the bacteria. It is also possible that she could become a silent carrier and shed the bacteria at random intervals for years (only about a 25% chance of this). This second situation is why farms which have had Strangles in years past may see it again without having any new animals come onto the property

After contracting Strangles, most horses develop a strong and long-lasting immunity to the bacteria that cause this disease so it's much less likely that they will contract it again.

If you purchase this horse, I would be sure to quarantine her for at least 3 weeks just to help insure that you don't end up exposing any of your other horses.

Okay, THAT'S what I remember reading. Good to know.