A Grey County farm has placed voluntary movement restrictions on horses after a Standardbred foal tested positive for strangles.
The Equine Disease Communication Centre says the case involves a four-month-old colt that began showing clinical signs on August 24, 2026.
The foal developed respiratory distress and was later diagnosed with an abscess in a lymph node located behind the throat.
"This 4 month old foal developed respiratory distress and was diagnosed with a retropharyngeal lymph node abscess, which was drained and the foal is recovering," the EDCC said in an alert issued August 31.
Testing of the abscess confirmed the presence of Streptococcus equi, the bacterium responsible for strangles.
The EDCC says the foal is recovering.
The number of other horses potentially exposed has not been determined.
"The owner, working with their veterinarian, has implemented voluntary animal movement restrictions and biosecurity protocols," the alert said.
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness is listed as the source of the case information.
Strangles is a contagious disease affecting horses and can cause fever, respiratory symptoms, and swollen or abscessed lymph nodes.
The case was also reported by Standardbred Canada on September 1.
