About Strangles
Strangles is the most commonly diagnosed infectious disease of horses around the world. It is said to represent the equine equivalent of the human plague and can prove fatal.
At present, although it can be treated, there is no vaccine against the disease. With your help and support, the Animal Health Trust and the British Horse Society’s new campaign, Breaking the Strangles Hold, aims to change this.
We aim to raise £250,000 in order to produce a diagnostic blood test, to screen for Strangles, and ultimately a vaccine to prevent horses contracting this dreadful disease.
Christmas donation from The Queen pushes Strangles appeal closer to target
Her Majesty The Queen has made a personal donation to The Animal Health Trust and The British Horse Society's Strangles Appeal for the second year running.
Her Majesty sent a cheque to the BHS, of which she has been Patron for more than 60 years, to help the charities fight the terrible disease that attacks horses.
The generous gift, from the Privy Purse Charitable Trust, couldn’t be better timed, as the campaign makes a final push to reach its £250,000 target.
The Queen has taken a personal interest in the ‘Breaking the Strangles hold’ campaign, a joint initiative between the Animal Health Trust and The British Horse Society, and keeps a close eye on efforts to combat the disease.
Significant progress has been made this year with the introduction of a blood test to screen for the disease prior to competitions, sales or movement. The test identifies horses that have recently been exposed to the disease, enabling the number and seriousness of outbreaks to be reduced.
There is still a long way to go, however, and the rest of the money is needed to help create and produce a vaccine to eradicate Strangles for good.
BHS Chairman Patrick Print said: "We are very grateful to our Patron The Queen for her most generous gift, which will help fund research to find a fully effective vaccine against Strangles. I have no doubt Her Majesty's example will encourage other horse lovers to give to this worthy cause."
Anyone can donate to the Strangles Appeal by posting a cheque to Strangles Appeal, Animal Health Trust, FREEPOST CB360, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 7BR or phoning the AHT to make a donation by credit card or direct debit on 01638 555 648.
Skydiving for Strangles
The British Horse Society (BHS) are looking for hundreds of adventurous volunteers to make a fundraising parachute jump to help raise vital funds to help combat the horrific equine disease Strangles.
What’s more if you raise more than £395 in sponsorship you will get to jump for free! There are three types of jump available, both solo and tandem, so there is something suitable for all.
No experience is necessary as all training is provided. You can do any of these jumps from any one of over twenty British Parachute Association approved airfields across the UK.
Amanda Watson, BHS South Development Officer who initiated the campaign said: “Strangles is an horrific disease that requires 'Extreme' action. I am thrilled to be able to offer people the experience of a lifetime and combine this with raising vital funds for the Animal Health Trust research into an effective Strangles vaccine and diagnostic tool.”
If you would like to help protect Horses and the industry against this terrible disease, join the BHS/AHT Strangles Appeal and experience a jump of a lifetime.
For a free information pack with everything you need to take part please contact: Amanda Watson, BHS South Development Officer, 01202 558515, a.watson@bhs.org.uk.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. All proceeds raised from the event will go towards the Breaking the Strangles Hold campaign, a joint initiative between The British Horse Society and the Animal Health Trust (AHT).
The campaign has already raised well over half of its £250,000 target, and has allowed AHT scientists to develop a blood test to screen for the disease prior to competitions, sales or movement. The rest of the money is needed to help create and produce a vaccine to eradicate Strangles for good.
Strangles Calendar – Special 2009 Offer!
The exclusive A Passion for Horses calendar is now half price at just £4.99! The calendar features beautiful photography and all proceeds from its sale go directly to the Animal Health Trust and The British Horse Society’s Strangles campaign.
Don’t miss your chance to pick up this wonderful calendar at this even better price!
Click here to order yours.
Photos of Strangles
Latest Progress
