Author: Helen Stock

A surprising number of horses become injured when both stabled and at grass, in what appear at first sight to be safe environments. Kieran O’Brien will draw on his 40 years of experience both as a horse vet and a horse breeder to help you ensure your horses keep out of trouble. In this webinar Kieran discusses: Safety in the field – fencing, electric fencing, herd related injuries, gates, over fence interactions and turnout rug safety.Stable safety – Items in the stable (buckets, haynets), cast/rolling issues, stable partitions, doors and catches, tying up and watching for hazards.Travel – leg protection,…

How much noise do ear bonnets/acoustic ears really block out? We tested a range. Our members joined the testing by taking a few of the products and testing them for fit, comfort and stability on their own horses. We started by asking members to put themselves forward to test the products on their own horses, as always we were inundated with offers, and we selected the first four members. We asked the selected few to ensure they had access to a few horses to test, and then we randomly selected the products to send to them, only checking they had…

A group of elite equestrian scientists is launching an international initiative designed to establish best practice and clear guidance in the training and management of sport horses. The Sport horse Welfare Foundation (SWF) is bringing together equine professionals spanning 32 countries, all of which are involved in professionally developed equestrian sports.The aim of this project is to provide the equestrian world with a solid foundation about the good welfare needs of sport horses in particular. Sport horses will benefit A group of leading scientists around the world have come to the conclusion that in order to sustainably protect the welfare…

RSPCA officer Suzanne Smith has been in contact with Dr David Marlin and the team with a plea for help! Watch Suzanne’s video and then read her heartfelt email below. Hi, I hope you don’t mind this email coming directly to you. I know you are now the new NEWC President and I know you’re very active on social media so thought you would be the ideal person to bring this to, but I apologise if there is a contact procedure I should have followed….. Anyway to the point…I am an Inspector for the RSPCA and an equine officer. And whilst…

The veterinary industry is calling on horse owners and stud managers to share information about their approach to worming in a bid to tackle anthelmintic resistance and safeguard equine health in the future. To help find a solution to the rapidly growing problem of resistance to equine worming products, members of the veterinary world have joined forces to launch Project WORMS, which stands for Working to Overcome Resistance and Make for a Sustainable future. In the first stage of the project, horse owners and stud managers are being asked to complete surveys to find out how and when they worm,…

Ear bonnets / acoustic ears tested by Dr David Marlin The Sound of Silence?How much noise do ear bonnets/acoustic ears really block out? We tested a range. Did you know that horses have more sensitive hearing than we do? Did you know that horses can hear higher frequencies than we can? Together this means there will often be sounds your horses can hear that you can’t. In recent years fly bonnets have become popular and many of these go under the general description of “acoustic ears” and claim to be “noise cancelling” or “noise blocking”. So whilst it might well…

The Royal Windsor Horse Show has announced an incredible cast and line-up to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. To honour Her Majesty The Queen’s remarkable service to the country for the last 70 years, Royal Windsor Horse Show (12–15 May) will host an evening theatrical arena spectacular, aptly named ‘A Gallop through History’, reflecting Her Majesty’s love of horses. Dame Helen Mirren, Damian Lewis, Omid Djalili and Tom Cruise lead an all-star cast of British and international talent for Sunday’s performance which will be broadcast live by ITV. Read the full line up and incredible plans at the show on…

We are excited to reveal an amazing new event – we have TWO world-leading experts! This is a special event, and we have drafted in Dr Carissa Wickens (University of Florida) and Dr Camie Heleski (University of Kentucky). Do horses have coping mechanisms? Stereotypic behaviours and how to manage them. Dr Carissa Wickens and Dr Camie Heleski We will start earlier than normal at 7pm as we want to hear more from Carissa and Camie on all the latest research, findings and advice. BOOK IN NOW Learn more Stereotypical behaviours (stereotypies) are repetitive behaviours with no obvious goal or function. They are…

This study based in Zagreb in Croatia detected differences in the salivary and serum proteome between horses with EGUS and healthy horses, and also between horses with EGGD and ESGD. The most upregulated proteins in EGGD were related to the immune activation whereas, in horses with ESGD, the proteins with the most significant changes were associated with the squamous cell regulation and growth. Compared to serum, saliva had a higher number of proteins showing significant changes and also showed a different pattern of changes, indicating that the proteins in both fluids show a different response to the disease and can…

“The governing body of modern pentathlon has taken the “landmark decision” to replace equestrianism with obstacle racing despite widespread opposition from athletes.” Read the full story on the Guardian website here.