Emily
Editor, Senior Moderator
The horses end up trapped by disease in these holding facilities, with no chance for adoption.
https://www.blm.gov/programs/wild-h...s/adoption-centers/wheatland-off-range-corral
...
The Wheatland Off-Range Corral is currently closed to the public and has been placed under quarantine due to the presence of Streptococcus equi, or strangles, a contagious bacterial infection affecting horses at the facility. Adoptions are paused until further notice.
The BLM has developed Frequently Asked Questions concerning the infection and will continue to update this page as needed.
What is strangles?
Streptococcus equi, also known as strangles or equine distemper, is a contagious upper respiratory infection in equids (horses, donkeys, and ponies). Strangles is one of the most common infectious equine diseases and can be spread by horse-to-horse contact or through contact with contaminated people, tack, drinking troughs, etc. The root of this infection has not been determined. No animals, including domestic saddle horses, have been shipped or received at the facility since the last load of horses gathered last fall were delivered in January 2022.
How many horses have been infected by strangles? How many have died?
The Wheatland Off-Range Corral currently houses approximately 2,750 animals. Roughly half of the animals at the facility have been observed showing signs of strangles. Thirteen horses have died.
How are foaling mares being affected? Have any foals died?
No foals have died due to the infection. Foaling mares and newborn foals have shown to be the least impacted by the infection. Additionally, all of the mares at the facility have been vaccinated for strangles and their foals are born with some immunity.
How severe is the infection?
The mortality rate of strangles is typically under 10% but can be as high as 40%. In comparison, 0.8% of the horses affected by strangles at the Wheatland facility have died.
Is there a vaccine? If so, how many horses have been vaccinated?
All of the animals processed into the BLM’s wild horse and burro off-range program are vaccinated against strangles. Vaccines are also administered against influenza, rhinopneumonitis, eastern and western encephalomyelitis, tetanus, West Nile virus, and rabies. The strangles vaccine can decrease the severity of symptoms but does not completely prevent transmission of the disease. All of the animals at the facility have received their first dose of vaccines, and the first animals to arrive at the facility in 2021 are starting to receive boosters.
How is strangles treated?
Symptoms of the infection include loss of appetite, fever, and excessive nasal discharge. Loss of appetite is being mitigated with supplemental feed and additional lick tubs to entice increased caloric intake. If needed, medications to treat inflammation and pain are administered. Recovery of infected animals is further promoted by cancelling adoptions to reduce stress on individual animals and segregating weaker animals.
The BLM is also taking additional biosecurity measures to stop or reduce transmission, including bleaching equipment, alleyways, and chutes, as well as continuing to segregate animal groups that have not been directly exposed or have already recovered. The BLM, along with contracted facility personnel and a veterinarian, continue to provide daily care and monitoring.
When will adoptions resume?
No animals can leave the facility until the veterinarian determines the horses to no longer be showing signs of infection. We continue to work with the veterinarian to evaluate when we will be able to begin adoptions and will provide notification when the closure is lifted and adoptions can resume.
https://www.blm.gov/programs/wild-h...s/adoption-centers/wheatland-off-range-corral
...
The Wheatland Off-Range Corral is currently closed to the public and has been placed under quarantine due to the presence of Streptococcus equi, or strangles, a contagious bacterial infection affecting horses at the facility. Adoptions are paused until further notice.
The BLM has developed Frequently Asked Questions concerning the infection and will continue to update this page as needed.
What is strangles?
Streptococcus equi, also known as strangles or equine distemper, is a contagious upper respiratory infection in equids (horses, donkeys, and ponies). Strangles is one of the most common infectious equine diseases and can be spread by horse-to-horse contact or through contact with contaminated people, tack, drinking troughs, etc. The root of this infection has not been determined. No animals, including domestic saddle horses, have been shipped or received at the facility since the last load of horses gathered last fall were delivered in January 2022.
How many horses have been infected by strangles? How many have died?
The Wheatland Off-Range Corral currently houses approximately 2,750 animals. Roughly half of the animals at the facility have been observed showing signs of strangles. Thirteen horses have died.
How are foaling mares being affected? Have any foals died?
No foals have died due to the infection. Foaling mares and newborn foals have shown to be the least impacted by the infection. Additionally, all of the mares at the facility have been vaccinated for strangles and their foals are born with some immunity.
How severe is the infection?
The mortality rate of strangles is typically under 10% but can be as high as 40%. In comparison, 0.8% of the horses affected by strangles at the Wheatland facility have died.
Is there a vaccine? If so, how many horses have been vaccinated?
All of the animals processed into the BLM’s wild horse and burro off-range program are vaccinated against strangles. Vaccines are also administered against influenza, rhinopneumonitis, eastern and western encephalomyelitis, tetanus, West Nile virus, and rabies. The strangles vaccine can decrease the severity of symptoms but does not completely prevent transmission of the disease. All of the animals at the facility have received their first dose of vaccines, and the first animals to arrive at the facility in 2021 are starting to receive boosters.
How is strangles treated?
Symptoms of the infection include loss of appetite, fever, and excessive nasal discharge. Loss of appetite is being mitigated with supplemental feed and additional lick tubs to entice increased caloric intake. If needed, medications to treat inflammation and pain are administered. Recovery of infected animals is further promoted by cancelling adoptions to reduce stress on individual animals and segregating weaker animals.
The BLM is also taking additional biosecurity measures to stop or reduce transmission, including bleaching equipment, alleyways, and chutes, as well as continuing to segregate animal groups that have not been directly exposed or have already recovered. The BLM, along with contracted facility personnel and a veterinarian, continue to provide daily care and monitoring.
When will adoptions resume?
No animals can leave the facility until the veterinarian determines the horses to no longer be showing signs of infection. We continue to work with the veterinarian to evaluate when we will be able to begin adoptions and will provide notification when the closure is lifted and adoptions can resume.