Two horses from the same stable who attended New Zealand's National Arabian Championships held earlier this month have tested positive for the infectious disease strangles.
The owner of the affected horses notified the New Zealand Arabian Horse Breeders Society, and the society is asking all show entrants to assess whether their horses may have contracted the disease, as they may require veterinary attention.
Evidence pointed to already infected horses being brought onto the premises. The two horses affected have responded to veterinary treatment and are recovering well, according to their owner.
Strangles is a highly contagious upper respiratory tract infection, causing a lack of appetite, fever, listlessness and a distinct swelling of the lymph nodes in the throat area.