HAPPA given the all clear after containing strangles outbreak

Burnley-based equine welfare charity Horses and Ponies Protection Association has confirmed that two rescued ponies have been given the all clear after testing positive for Strangles shortly after arriving in the charity’s care. 

Robin, Rooster and Maverick arrived at HAPPA in April after a period of severe neglect. Soon after arrival, they tested positive for Streptococcus Equi, commonly known as Strangles - a highly contagious bacterial infection affecting horses and ponies. Nearly three months later, the charity is relieved to share that the ponies have now been given the all clear by Aireworth Veterinary Group. 

Thanks to strict biosecurity procedures, dedicated teamwork and HAPPA’s purpose-built Isolation and Biosecurity Unit, the infection was fully contained. The wider HAPPA herd and local equestrian community remained protected while Robin and Rooster received the specialist care they needed to recover. 

Equine Inspector Liz Pharaoh said: "These horses were only brought to safety because trust had been built over time. Before the owner was disqualified from keeping animals, we worked hard to establish a relationship with her, and when the time came, she chose to work with us. That trust made all the difference. 

"The rescue itself was incredibly challenging. There was uncertainty over whether the horses would still be there, and we had to work carefully with family members while keeping the animals’ welfare at the heart of every decision. One of the horses was in a devastating condition, lying on the ground with birds pecking at her. It was heart breaking and a stark reminder of why swift intervention matters so deeply.

 "Thanks to the dedication and teamwork of everyone involved, all three horses were safely transported into the care they urgently needed. Moments like this stay with you. They remind us that equine welfare is about more than enforcement, it is about patience, compassion, partnership and doing everything possible to give vulnerable animals the dignity, comfort and second chance they deserve.” 

This rescue asked a great deal of the HAPPA team, both practically and emotionally. Behind every decision was the same shared purpose: to protect the ponies in front of them while safeguarding every horse already in HAPPA’s care. The team recognised that the horses were showing signs of Strangles, a highly contagious infection of the upper respiratory tract caused by Streptococcus Equi. The illness can cause large abscesses to form, making swallowing and breathing difficult. 

 The decision to bring the three horses onto site had to be considered with immense care. Many of the horses already in HAPPA’s care are immunocompromised, and a Strangles outbreak could have been devastating. Yet the alternative was unthinkable: without intervention, Robin, Rooster and Maverick were unlikely to survive. It was the kind of decision no welfare team ever wants to face, but one they approached with courage, compassion and an unwavering commitment to doing what was right for every horse involved. 

 Thanks to Mrs Yvonne Gregory’s legacy, HAPPA was able to build its Isolation and Biosecurity Unit in 2012. This vital facility meant Robin, Rooster and Maverick could be brought into care and given the chance they so desperately deserved.

After a few days in HAPPA’s care, it became clear that Maverick’s rescue had sadly not come soon enough. The neglect he had endured had taken an irreversible toll on his quality of life. He was unable to eat hay due to extreme dental damage and was also living with a heart murmur. Following a compassionate quality of life assessment carried out in collaboration with the vets, the HAPPA team made the heart breaking decision to say goodbye to Maverick, knowing he could no longer live a life free from pain.

Ella Smith, Equine Manager at HAPPA, said:  “I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to everyone who has helped us through this challenging period. It hasn’t been easy, but the dedication, teamwork and professionalism shown by every single person, including our loyal supporters, has been incredible. 

"A special thank you to the office team for making sure our isolation ponies were fed in the mornings; to our digital team for helping spread awareness about Strangles and keeping everyone updated throughout the isolation period; to the education team for being so quick and flexible with events, arena hires and clinics; and to everyone who has shown support through kind words, purchasing biosecurity items from the Amazon Wish List, donating and continuing to visit Shores Hey Farm. 

"Most of all, I honestly couldn’t be prouder of the Equine Care Team. They embraced our strict biosecurity protocols without question, supported one another, stayed positive and put the ponies first every single day. They are a team of passionate and committed people pulling together to do the very best for the horses in our care."