Outbreak of Strangles disease sees horse racing trials delayed

An outbreak of a serious horse disease in the North Island has delayed racing trials and raised concerns about thoroughbred breeding and exports.

Strangles disease is a highly contagious and serious bacterial infection for horses, ponies and donkeys that causes a fever, respiratory issues and breathing problems. It's not usually fatal.

The disease has been confirmed on 11 thoroughbred properties in Waikato and one in Auckland. The horses have been isolated to prevent it spreading further.

Veterinary Association spokesperson Dr Holly Blue said all thoroughbred stakeholders in the affected areas are now involved in trying to contain the disease.

"That's including transport operators who have jumped on board with some really good protocols for safely transporting transporting horses around this area. We certainly normally wouldn't see race meets postponed."

Blue said Strangles is not a notifiable condition and pockets of it do show up from time to time - but if this outbreak spreads across the thoroughbred sector it could negatively affect New Zealand's reputation.

"Due to the nature of the population of this particular outbreak which is very much localised in the thoroughbred population, these guys do travel to race meets and spend a lot of time in communal training facilities so it has allowed this disease to spread a little bit faster than it normally would have."

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing has postponed Tuesday's trials at the Te Awamutu track and implemented new rules saying all horses in the affected areas have to undergo tests several days prior to entering any races.

That includes having their temperatures tested for any fever at least two days leading up to a race.

However, as an extra precaution, from Sunday onwards - instigated by NZTR - horses will have their temperatures recorded for five consecutive days before racing or trials.

A group of thoroughbred industry groups have also all agreed that horses should not be transported from other regions or training centres while the risk of Strangles disease continues - especially for Waikato and Auckland racing horses.

Blue said a meeting is being held later on Tuesday to discuss how to prevent it spreading across the country and overseas.