An equine welfare charity has confirmed it has been given the all clear after two of its rescue ponies tested positive for Streptococcus Equi, commonly known as Strangles, a highly contagious bacterial infection affecting horses and ponies.Robin and Rooster arrived at Horses and Ponies Protection Association (HAPPA) in Burnley in April after a period of severe neglect. Soon after they arrived, they tested positive for Strangles. Another horse, Maverick, who was rescued alongside Robin and Rooster, was put to sleep a few days after his arrival at HAPPA. Unfortunately the neglect he had endured had taken an irreversible toll on his quality of life.Thanks to strict biosecurity procedures, dedicated teamwork and HAPPAs purpose-built Isolation and Biosecurity Unit, the Strangles 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. Nearly three months later, the ponies have been given the all clear by Ainsworth Veterinary Group.Difficult rescueThese horses were only brought to safety because trust had been built over time, said equine inspector Liz Pharaoh.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.Strict measuresWhen it was discovered that Robin and Rooster had Strangles, the HAPPA team implemented rigorous biosecurity procedures to protect the other horses on site, even during record heatwave temperatures. 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.Challenging periodI want to express my heartfelt appreciation to everyone who has helped us through this challenging period. It hasnt been easy, but the dedication, teamwork and professionalism shown by every single person, including our loyal supporters, has been incredible, said Ella Smith, equine manager at HAPPA.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 couldnt 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.Image HAPPA.Related contentWarning to horse owners after significant rise in strangles casesScottish livery yard makes strangles vaccination a permanent policyStrangles: a survivors storyThis is how to check a horses vital signs *VIDEO*Biosecurity: this is how to lower the risk of equine fluThe post Equine charity given all clear after Strangles outbreak appeared first on Your Horse.