HORSE owners are being told not to panic about an equine disease outbreak in Bradford.

Several cases of strangles, a contagious respiratory infection which leads to neck abscesses and can be fatal, have been reported at yards in the Thornton area.

John Millar, veterinary partner with Keighley-based Aireworth Vets, said he knew of a number of livery yards in the Bradford district with the disease, but emphasised there was no need for alarm.

"Strangles is endemic in the horse population and at any time in any equine practice there will be the odd case. Every now and again you will get outbreaks on certain yards for no particular reason," he said.

One of the yards affected is Leaventhorpe Hall Equestrian Centre in Thornton.

Its owner, Anthony Gribbin, said his staff had heard about an outbreak at another yard on a night out, where at least one horse had died. He said he had heard there were five or six yards with strangles.

At Leaventhorpe, four out of 50 horses have the disease and the yard is in 'lock down' - with no animals moving in or out.

"They are responding very well to treatment and they're just now in the isolation period. We were straight on to it," he said, adding he hoped to get the all-clear in two weeks.

Mr Gribbin said the first horse to get strangles had initially been treated for a suspected viral infection, but as soon as an abscess was noticed on the animal's neck, the vet was called back and advice taken on how to contain the disease.

Mr Gribbin said owners were notified and a vet had spoken to them.

"There's no shame. It doesn't reflect in any way on a dirty yard or badly managed yard," he said.

Wilsden Equestrian Centre, which has no cases of strangles, was due to host a showjumping competition tomorrow and a show on December 30, but has cancelled both as a precaution.

Proprietor Jeannette Wheeler said: "There's been a few cases in Thornton and there are a lot of rumours so you don't know what's confirmed. But having the events could bring it on to our yard and spread it a bit further."

Mr Millar said the vast majority of cases were the equivalent to someone having a sore throat

"The horse may have a high temperature and be off their food for a day or two. Where it occurs people need to be sensible and take precautions like isolating infected horses from others and good hygiene, and the outbreak can be stopped very quickly. There is also a vaccination available.

"Yard owners have a duty of care and when new horses are moved onto a yard they should be isolated for two weeks," he said.