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Strangles Outbreak Shuts Down Therapy Riding Centre
28 Jun
Summary
- A horse at the Magpie Centre tested positive for strangles.
- The centre will be closed for six weeks for biosecurity.
- Strangles is a highly infectious respiratory disease in horses.

A highly infectious respiratory disease has forced the Magpie Centre, a vital riding facility for disabled individuals, into a six-week lockdown. The centre, located near Downham Market, Norfolk, confirmed a positive case of strangles in one of its horses.
Strangles restricts a horse's airways through swollen lymph nodes and is not transmissible to humans. To safeguard all horses, the Magpie Centre is adhering to strict biosecurity protocols advised by veterinarians. This proactive measure will keep the centre closed to volunteers and participants for approximately six weeks.
The Magpie Centre, operating for over three decades, delivers more than 130 weekly riding and carriage driving sessions. These sessions support young children and adults facing physical, sensory, and learning disabilities, highlighting the significant impact of this closure on its community.