More From the National Equine Forum
As well as allowing the Conservatives to outline their plans for the horse world, the event was also chosen as the launch pad for a new Museum of the Horse. In addition presentations were included from some of the UK's most distinguished equine vets on an intriguing range of topics. A video message of support was received from HRH Princess Haya, President of the FEI, who hopes to be able to attend next year.
Caroline Anns-Baldock, a highly motivated and passionate equestrian historian, revealed her ideas for the first ever Museum of the Horse in the UK. She opened her presentation with the bold statement: "We are said to be a nation of horse lovers yet we are the only European country that does not have a museum of the horse." Caroline has set up a strong committee of equestrian and business experts and is in the process of setting up a trust to fund the first phase of development which includes building a website, putting together travelling exhibitions and securing suitable premises for the museum. She concluded: "The myth, magic and history of the horse should be told. Help us to tell this story. We are looking for support from people interested in preserving and developing our equestrian heritage. We invite sponsors both in kind and in finance and we welcome ideas."
Presentations were also received from Arik Dondi, Deputy Director of Exotic Diseases Policy at Defra, on the Defra view of the industry, Ben Mayes MRCVS, of Mayes and Scrine equine vet practice in West Sussex, on licensing for UK horse establishments and equine sanctuaries, Dr Carolina Liljenstolpe, Swedish researcher, on the role of the horse in Europe; Dr Mark Hillyer MRCVS, of the Newmarket Equine Hospital, on the development of systems to endoscope galloping horses; Dr Pat Harris MRCVS, head of the WALTHAM® Equine Studies Group, on nutrition and gastric ulceration - cause or cure; Professor Chris Proudman FRCVS, Professor of Equine Studies at the University of Liverpool, on worming and wormers; Dr Madeleine Campbell, President of BEVA, on identification: the legalities, logistics and welfare issues; John Stainton, International Director for Sporting Art at Christies, on horses in painting; David Hunter, Performance Manager for the Para Equestrian Dressage Team, on training for world class Paralympics; In the topical spot Chris House MRCVS, of House and Jackson Equine Clinic, spoke on training and regulation of paraprofessionals and Professor James Wood MRCVS, Alborada Professor of Equine and Farm Animal Science and BEVA Honorary Publications Officer, discussed the control of exotic disease and equine flu. The British Horse Society undergraduate presentation 2010 was delivered by Holly Claridge MRCVS who is the winner of the Eqvalan Duo Equine Thesis of the Year 2009. She presented the 3D anatomy of the cervical articular process joint in the horse
HRH The Princess Royal, President of the NEF closed the day with a personal view on aspects of the equestrian industry. She made the interesting point that she believed competition cross-country riders would do well to train and get experience on a far wider range of conditions than merely the manicured technical obstacles that they meet in competition. On her new role as President she said: "Although I have attended the Forum many times in the past, this is the first occasion on which I have attended as its President. I was delighted to be asked to take on the appointment, and I hope that I will be able to be actively involved in selecting suitable topics for future Forums."
The full proceedings of the 2010 Forum can be seen here.
With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
