Our Norfolk farm temporarily closes to visitors

Following a recent case of strangles – a highly infectious respiratory disease of horses – at our Hall Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Snetterton, Norfolk, the movement of horses both in and out of the farm was suspended last week as is protocol to prevent the disease from spreading.

However, further cases on the farm have led to the closure of Hall Farm to visitors as an additional precautionary measure.  

World Horse Welfare’s Director of UK Support, Malcolm Morley said: “Given the nature of the horses World Horse Welfare helps, cases like this are not unexpected, and the team have well-rehearsed biosecurity measures to mitigate the risk of disease spread.

“Whilst the risk of strangles spreading off the farm by visitors is extremely low, we felt we should take this additional step and close our doors to visitors whilst we investigate.

“We would like to apologise to everyone who had planned to visit Hall Farm this half term and reassure those who have visited recently that the disease poses no risk to humans.”

Strangles is not a notifiable disease but due to its prevalence and the fact it is so infectious, we are taking robust action to bring its spread to a halt and protect the wider equine population.
 
Read more about strangles on our advice page.