Redwings Horse Sanctuary has been honoured with a national health and welfare award for its campaign to encourage owners to speak out on strangles – a highly contagious respiratory disease in horses.

The charity was presented with the Health and Welfare Award at the Animal Health Trust's UK Equestrian Awards, held at The London Marriott Hotel.

In 2016, Redwings launched a strangles survey to assess attitudes to the disease and biosecurity practices.

The findings revealed that there was a demand among horse owners for improved biosecurity and investment in screening but there were misconceptions about how strangles is contracted.

Lynn Cutress, Redwings' chief executive, said: 'Our own experience of a strangles outbreak affected every team in the charity. I am so proud of everyone for their unwavering dedication and support at this challenging time.'