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Support service launched for horse owners
Field officers from the charity are able to making in-person visits to offer support and advice.
Charity hopes new service will prevent serious welfare cases developing.

World Horse Welfare has launched a new support service to make it easier for owners struggling to care for their horses to ask for help.

The service, Help for Horse Owners, will provide advice and support to owners who are finding it difficult to look after their horse due to issues such as financial challenges, ill health, or a change in personal circumstances.

A support call can be requested to talk through issues and possible solutions, or a field officer can make in-person visits to assess the situation and provide practical advice.

There is also a resources hub available to signpost people to other organisations that can offer help with the issues that owners may be facing.

The charity hopes that by providing early support, it can help keep animals and owners together and prevent serious welfare issues from arising.

As well as owners being able to contact the service when they feel they need help, friends, family, and people providing care for horses will also be able to contact the charity to ask for help for someone.

Sam Chubbock, head of UK support at World Horse Welfare, said: “Horse owners and their families often approach us for help when their circumstances have changed, meaning they are struggling to provide the necessary care. However, we also understand how difficult it can be to ask for help - which is why we have developed our Help for Horse Owners support service.

“Our focus is on trying to keep families and their animals together when this is the best option for them in the longer term. We do this in a variety of ways, including helping horse owners to change their management practices or signposting them to other areas of support they might not know about.”

Image © World Horse Welfare

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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.