Suspected Case of Dartmoor Hill Ponies with Strangles

Whilst driving across Dartmoor from Princetown to Tavistock, our Welfare Officer came across a small herd of Dartmoor Hill Ponies that were looking unthrifty.  On stopping to investigate, it was apparent that one mare had a long, drooling, salivary discharge from her mouth, and on closer inspection, other ponies in the herd had nasal discharges.  We suspect that this herd is suffering from Strangles, and anyone who comes into direct contact with ponies in this area should make sure they disinfect their hands and footwear, and change clothing if they wish to take precautions against infecting their own equines with the disease.