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New slimming club for horses launched
"We all need to work together to tackle the problem." - Clare Barfoot RNutr.
The initiative is run by Redwings and Spillers. 

A new slimming club has been launched to help owners of overweight horses and ponies support their pet to get them to a healthy weight.

Run by Spillers, and supported by Redwings Horse Sanctuary, the initiative is hoped to help horse owners recognise the dangers to welfare of an overweight horse. 

Clare Barfoot, registered nutritionist and development director at Mars Horsecare UK, commented on the issue of overweight horses: “Some horse and ponies simply appear to get fat on thin air.  

”Reduced exercise and less rigorous management regimes due to COVID-19 restrictions haven’t helped and we are perhaps becoming guilty of normalising overweight horses. 

“We all need to work together to tackle the problem, for the future health and welfare of our horses.”

The slimming club will provide horse owners with information and advice including tips to help their horse lose weight, explanations on to body condition score and use a weigh tape, diet plan advice and weight loss records. 

Redwings is also working to support the initiative, sharing literature on helping horses to keep a healthy weight to those who take on a Redwings horse or pony, and will also be sharing tips and answering practical management questions on the Facebook page set up for the slimmers club. 

Horse and pony owners can join the slimmers club here. 

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.