The BHS and AHT have joined forces to launch a campaign to increase awareness of Strangles, and to raise vital funds. Together they plan to raise £250,000 over 2 years, to accelerate research into the development of improved means of diagnosis and prevention- ultimately to eliminate the disease.
 
Scientists at the AHT are currently developing blood tests capable of identifying both infected animals and it is hoped long-term carriers of Strangles. This will enable them to reduce the disease spread. Safe and effective Strangles Vaccines are also being designed.

Jeremy Kemp Symonds, Veterinary Surgeon from the AHT ‘We are hoping that the vaccine will be widely used by horse owners so that animals at risk of the disease can then be protected.’
 
Puffa are 'serious about Strangles' and are aware of the awful threat Strangles poses to the equine community. As well as being a very painful and distressing disease for horses, Strangles can also have a devastating impact on equestrian businesses, in some cases shutting down entire yards for weeks at a time.
 
Neil Farrar, Managing Director of Puffa, said: 'When I found out about the Strangles campaign I immediately wanted to get involved and do something to help. £250,000 is an achievable amount of money to raise in order to eliminate such an awful disease that is a threat to all horse owners. I know this issue will be close to the hearts of horse lovers everywhere and I hope they will want to show their support by participating in our campaign.'
 
Puffa are launching their own Serious about Strangles campaign, and have designed a Strangles collectable polo shirt. Puffa will donate £2 for every polo shirt sold. Puffa hope to raise £50,000 that will go directly towards fighting Strangles . 
 
The high quality polo shirts are available in four gorgeous colours white, candy pink, ice blue and navy, in women's, unisex and Junior fits. Adults sizes are priced at £30 and juniors at £20. 
 
Horse and Hound have generously given their support, and will be regularly updating their readers on the campaign's progress.
 
Lucy Higginson, editor of Horse and Hound-
"Horse & Hound is extremely pleased to play a role in this fundraising initiative for the Strangles campaign, a disease we would all like to see eliminated. Since, in my experience, a hard-wearing polo shirt is a staple of any rider's wardrobe through the summer months, I hope the new shirts start popping up around the nation's stables shortly."

Strangles Facts
Strangles is the most commonly diagnosed infectious disease of horses world wide
 
Clinical signs include fever, profuse nasal discharge and abscessed lymph nodes of the head and neck. The swelling of these lymph nodes may, in severe cases, restrict the air way, hence the name 'strangles.'
 

Strangles is caused by a bacterium called Streptococcus equi.
 
Streptococcus equi does not present a risk to people, but it could be said to represent the equine equivalent of the human plague.
 
For more information please contact Hayley Sparkes, e-mail hayley@puffa.com or call (01473) 834701.