Horse riding centres fear spread of contagious disease strangles

Riding centres across the Highlands have told of their fears that the contagious horse disease strangles could spread throughout the region.

Highlands Unbridled, based at Northwilds, Tain, apologised to customers after closing its yard following an outbreak of the disease.

Ruaridh Ormiston, of Highland Horse Fun, Newtonmore, has also closed.

He said: “As soon as the vet said we had a suspected strangles outbreak, weshut everything down.”

He said it was important that no horses linked with the disease should be moved around the Highlands as it could have horrific consequences.

Mr Ormiston said: “The level of suffering can be horrible. Some horses will just have swelling around their throats. With others it is a lot worse. I have a wee Shetland, an abscess on his face has burst – it looks as if half of his face is missing.”

Hollingwells trekking centre at Edderton, near Tain, close to Highlands Unbridled, cancelled its annual show at the weekend for fear of spreading the disease.

Richard Pumphrey, of Hollingwells, said most horse owners in the region were being sensible and not moving their horses about.

He said: “Our horses are allOK, butweare not doing any trekking becausewedo not know what they could pick up. We are open for lessons – but people must disinfect their feet when they come in and when they leave.”

Lloyd Roberts, who has a private stables neighbouring Highlands Unbridled, has seven infected horses.

He was angry Highland Council environmental health officers had not visited his premises as a routine part of their inquiries.

EarlierHighland Council said its health officers were liaising with Highlands Unbridled to ensure appropriate disease control and biosecurity steps were being taken.

“The level of suffering for horses can be horrible”

PRECAUTION: Richard Pumphrey says riders have to disinfect their boots