HAPPA Given the All Clear After Containing Strangles Outbreak

Burnley-based equine welfare charity Horses and Ponies Protection Association (HAPPA) has confirmed that two rescued ponies have been given the all clear after testing positive for Strangles shortly after arriving in the charity’s care. 

 Robin, Rooster arrived at HAPPA on 21st April 2026 after a period of severe neglect. Soon after arrival, they tested positive for Streptococcus Equi, commonly known as Strangles – a highly contagious bacterial infection affecting horses and ponies. Nearly three months later, the charity is relieved to share that the ponies have now been given the all clear by Ainsworth Veterinary Group. 

 Thanks to strict biosecurity procedures, dedicated teamwork and HAPPA’s purpose-built Isolation and Biosecurity Unit, the infection was fully contained. The wider HAPPA herd and local equestrian community remained protected while Robin and Rooster received the specialist care they needed to recover. 

The Rescue 

When Robin, Rooster and their companion Maverick arrived at HAPPA in April 2026, they had already faced more hardship than any horse should endure. Found in devastating conditions, they were frightened, vulnerable and in urgent need of care. Their rescue marked the beginning of a long journey towards safety, healing and hope. 

 Equine Inspector Liz Pharaoh reflected on the rescue: 

“These horses were only brought to safety because trust had been built over time. Before the owner was disqualified from keeping animals, we worked hard to establish a relationship with her, and when the time came, she chose to work with us. That trust made all the difference. 

 The rescue itself was incredibly challenging. There was uncertainty over whether the horses would still be there, and we had to work carefully with family members while keeping the animals’ welfare at the heart of every decision. One of the horses was in a devastating condition, lying on the ground with birds pecking at her. It was heartbreaking and a stark reminder of why swift intervention matters so deeply. 

 Thanks to the dedication and teamwork of everyone involved, all three horses were safely transported into the care they urgently needed. Moments like this stay with you. They remind us that equine welfare is about more than enforcement, it is about patience, compassion, partnership and doing everything possible to give vulnerable animals the dignity, comfort and second chance they deserve.” 

A Difficult Decision 

This rescue asked a great deal of the HAPPA team, both practically and emotionally. Behind every decision was the same shared purpose: to protect the ponies in front of them while safeguarding every horse already in HAPPA’s care. The team recognised that the horses were showing signs of Strangles, a highly contagious infection of the upper respiratory tract caused by Streptococcus Equi. The illness can cause large abscesses to form, making swallowing and breathing difficult. 

 The decision to bring the three horses onto site had to be considered with immense care. Many of the horses already in HAPPA’s care are immunocompromised, and a Strangles outbreak could have been devastating. Yet the alternative was unthinkable: without intervention, Robin, Rooster and Maverick were unlikely to survive. It was the kind of decision no welfare team ever wants to face, but one they approached with courage, compassion and an unwavering commitment to doing what was right for every horse involved. 

 Thanks to Mrs Yvonne Gregory’s legacy, HAPPA was able to build its Isolation and Biosecurity Unit in 2012. This vital facility meant Robin, Rooster and Maverick could be brought into care and given the chance they so desperately deserved. When the trio arrived on site, strict measures were immediately put in place to protect the rest of the herd from any risk of Strangles spreading. Following an initial veterinary health evaluation, Robin and Rooster tested positive, marking the start of a long road ahead for the ponies, the Equine Care Team, and Duck and Goose, who were already occupying the isolation unit while being treated for a severe lice infestation. In that moment, the unit became more than a building; it became a lifeline. 

Saying Goodbye to Maverick 

After a few days in HAPPA’s care, it became clear that Maverick’s rescue had sadly not come soon enough. The neglect he had endured had taken an irreversible toll on his quality of life. He was unable to eat hay due to extreme dental damage and was also living with a heart murmur. Following a compassionate quality of life assessment carried out in collaboration with the vets, the HAPPA team made the heartbreaking decision to say goodbye to Maverick, knowing he could no longer live a life free from pain. Although his time at HAPPA was short, he was met with gentleness, respect and love, and his final days were spent surrounded by people who cared deeply for him. 

The Strangles Journey 

The past few months have been incredibly demanding for the HAPPA Equine Care Team, but they have also shown the strength of the whole HAPPA family. Everyone pulled together with one shared aim: to keep every horse safe.  

 Caring for horses in isolation required rigorous biosecurity procedures to protect the other horses on site. Office team members helped feed the isolated horses in the mornings because they would not be in contact with any other horses throughout the day, reducing exposure and helping ensure the rest of the herd was protected. Equine Care Team members were also allocated daily to carry out afternoon yards in the isolation unit, offering consistent care, reassurance and routine to the ponies during a frightening and uncertain time. 

 Even during record heatwave temperatures, the team continued to follow strict protocols. Staff suited up in layers of overalls, alongside boot and hair covers, and carefully followed disinfecting and sanitising procedures. Every precaution helped Robin and Rooster move closer to recovery. HAPPA is grateful for the commitment, compassion and hard work shown by its team and supporters during such challenging circumstances. 

 Ella Smith, Equine Manager at HAPPA, said: 

“I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to everyone who has helped us through this challenging period. It hasn’t been easy, but the dedication, teamwork and professionalism shown by every single person, including our loyal supporters, has been incredible.

A special thank you to the office team for making sure our isolation ponies were fed in the mornings; to our digital team for helping spread awareness about Strangles and keeping everyone updated throughout the isolation period; to the education team for being so quick and flexible with events, arena hires and clinics; and to everyone who has shown support through kind words, purchasing biosecurity items from the Amazon Wish List, donating and continuing to visit Shores Hey Farm.

Most of all, I honestly couldn’t be prouder of the Equine Care Team. They embraced our strict biosecurity protocols without question, supported one another, stayed positive and put the ponies first every single day. They are a team of passionate and committed people pulling together to do the very best for the horses in our care.

 Because of their commitment and attention to detail, we were able to manage this situation safely and effectively. It is a real reminder that working together with a shared purpose can overcome even the toughest challenges. Now it is time for the next chapter of these young horses’ lives: time to bring them down to the main yard and find them loving forever homes, as that is what we do best.” 

A New Beginning 

HAPPA is delighted to share that Robin, Rooster, Duck and Goose have all tested clear of Strangles following numerous guttural pouch procedures and washes. This is considered the most reliable method to confirm whether a horse is carrying Strangles. It involves passing an endoscope into the guttural pouches to collect fluid samples, which are then tested for bacterial DNA using PCR. 

 This milestone means they can now begin the gentle process of being slowly integrated into the HAPPA herd. For Robin and Rooster, it is the beginning of the life every horse deserves: one filled with kindness, companionship, space to heal and the promise of brighter days ahead. 

Robin, Rooster, Duck and Goose are brighter and healthier than ever, and ready to stretch their legs, soak up the sunshine and enjoy time in the fields. Each step forward is a reminder of what patient care, compassion and community can make possible. 

Supporting Strangles Awareness 

Over the coming months, HAPPA will release educational content on Strangles, strengthening biosecurity measures and addressing common myths about the infection. Supporters are encouraged to keep an eye on the charity’s social media channels for updates. 

How You Can Help 

The cost of managing the Strangles outbreak has been significant for the charity. Veterinary bills and additional resource costs have placed considerable pressure on HAPPA, alongside the financial impact of an immediate embargo on horse movements. This included a temporary pause on rehoming, the cancellation of equestrian events and reduced footfall to the site. 

 Please consider supporting HAPPA’s vital work. Whether through a donation, sponsorship, volunteering or simply sharing Robin and Rooster’s story, your kindness helps give horses in need the safety, care and second chance they deserve.  

 Every act of support, no matter how small, helps HAPPA be there for neglected, abused and unwanted horses and their hybrids Donate » Horses And Ponies Protection Association | HAPPA