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  Discussion on When to introduce rescue horse into my herd - strangles risk?
Author Message
Member:
Lindsey

Posted on Monday, Jun 12, 2006 - 8:00 pm:

Hello DrO and others,
A quick question just to be on the safe side.
About 20 days ago I accepted a rescue horse at my farm that came from those **** pens (or whatever people wish to call them) - only hours away from being loaded on the truck to the slaughter plant-.
She's only with me temporarily until a good permanent home can be found for the sweetheart.

I stabled her one stall down from my boys and have avoided any contact between my horses and her. I also use separate water buckets, water hose etc. I have been disinfecting my hands in between doing her & mine. However I haven't taken any precautions when it came to changing clothes and shoes.

I have taken temperatures of her and my boys the last 2 weeks and there were no noticeable increases in any of them. One of my boys coughed a little, only for one day and stocked up on his hinds substantially more then usual. I didn't freak out on it, took it as a pure coincidence and the next day all returned to normal.

So my question, everybody looks healthy & cheerful. How long would you suggest I wait until she can have full contact (going out together in pasture) with my boys?
The reason for my slight worry is that mine are not vaccinated against strangles and there were also 2 other horses that had been through the same saleslot as my little rescue and unfortunately it seemed like these 2 went through the tail-end of what was presumed to be strangles, however cultures never fully confirmed the infection.
Although she hadn't been in touch with these horses, I guess one never really knows what they may have picked up on those 'unpleasant' travels...

I thought 3 weeks was sufficient, or should I wait longer before allowing them to sniff?? Thank you for any input.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 13, 2006 - 7:54 am:

There is no time that guarantees you will not have problems but 3 weeks is a good time to insure it is not likely.
DrO
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