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The National Equine Forum held in Westminster highlighted the importance of equine identification, traceability, and disease monitoring in the equine sector. The government aims to strike a balance with the live export of horses, preventing exports for slaughter while not burdening legitimate transport. A government consultation on improving equine ID and traceability was held in 2022, and new legislation is currently being drafted. The industry has expressed frustration with slow legislative progress but believes that once the legislation is in place, it will open up opportunities for the industry. [Extracted from the article]

The article offers the author's insights on the equine veterinary sector. Topics discussed include the economic aspects of the equine industry, the establishment of the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA), and the development in the equine industry. Also mentioned are the investment in the equine industry, the equine insurance providers, and the laws and regulations that affects the industry.

The effects of different water-soaking treatments on removal of water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC), WSC constituents and protein from four UK hays were determined. Hays were soaked in water for up to 16 hours at mean temperatures of 8°C, 16°C, in hot tap water (initially 49°C) or agitated and rinsed in clean water at 16°C. Initial hay WSC contents ranged from 154 to 216 g/kg dry matter. Losses of WSC from hays after 16 hours soaking at 8°C, 16°C, 16°C plus agitation and 49°C averaged 28, 46, 49 and 44 per cent, respectively. Corresponding percentage losses of fructan were 16, 37, 39 and 33. Percentage losses of sucrose averaged 55 (8°C), 86 (16°C), 91 (16°C+agitation) and 82 (initial temperature 49°C), those of glucose were 60, 85, 75 and 75, and of fructose were 41, 52, 54 and 46. Hay crude protein contents were not significantly changed by any of the soaking treatments. Soaking at 8°C generally resulted in reduced losses of WSC compared to when soaked at the higher temperatures. Thus, in cold weather using warmer water to soak hays may effect greater WSC loss, although very prolonged soaking at warm temperatures might encourage the proliferation of unwanted micro-organisms in the soak liquor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a cost comparison between the interval programme treatment and faecal egg count (FEC) directed anthelmintic delivery in horses. The study analyzed data from 368 horses owned by those who participated in an anthelmintic treatment initiative in 2012. It says that the horses were treated with various regimes such as praziquantel (PRZ), cyathostomin larvicidal treatment. Results show that the use of FEC could reduce financial costs compared with the interval treatment regimens.

This report describes the progression in welfare standards for horses on a horse farm in the Republic of Ireland between 2007 and 2009. Visits to the farm were undertaken and information, in the form of written notes and digital recording of observations and examinations, was gathered in consultation with officials from the Gardaí (the Irish police), the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Further independent veterinary corroboration of clinical findings and laboratory support occurred following seizure of the horses. The complex reality of on-farm equine welfare problems and the difficulties in achieving a resolution are discussed compared with other species conventionally considered to be food-producing animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Healthy horses received aerosolised, intranasal or oral doses of 3 mg of fluticasone propionate evenly divided over morning and evening treatments for seven days. The bioavailability of the drug was determined in terms of the suppression of the endogenous cortisol concentrations in the horses during the period of treatment. The homes which received the aerosolised drug had significantly lower concentrations of endogenous cortisol on days 5 and 8 than the horses which received aerosolised placebo. The horses which received nasal and oral doses of fluticasone propionate showed no significant changes in their endogenous cortisol concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information regarding the 50th annual congress of British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) held September 7-10, 2011 in Liverpool, England is presented. Topics include lames diagnosis in horses, cartilage repair in animals, and equine welfare. It mentions that the BEVA bestowed award on outstanding contributions in equine medicine including Paul Jepson, Luisa Smith, and Kenneth Hinchcliff.

The article offers information on how to perform an efficient stable management. It suggests that an inefficient stable can cause a range of respiratory disorders in horses. It discusses the impact of the organic dust from bedding and forage on equine housing. It suggests that airborne concentration of dust can be determined by its rate of release from the source material.

The article reports on the 2016 National Equine Forum held at the Institute of Mechanical Engineers in London, England. The event focused on equine identification and traceability, the importance of collaboration and communication in achieving the best outcomes for the health and welfare of the horse, and the future of equestrianism in Great Britain. Speakers included Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs minister George Eustice and Animal Health Trust's Richard Newton.

The article presents a reprint of the article "Surveillance focus: glanders," by Sonia Gonzalez-Medina and colleagues which appeared on the "Veterinary Record" magazine. Topics mentioned include the case of horse glanders in Germany serving as reminder not to take for granted the disease freedom, the various aspects of the old disease, and the describe of the three forms of glanders.

Information on the 2015 National Equine Forum held in London, England on March 5 is presented. The topics discussed at the forum include animal health protection, the problems on equine identification and the need to develop an equine database to prevent ineligible horses from entering the food chain. The attendees of the forum include Lord Rupert Charles Ponsonby and veterinarians Robert Huey and Sheila Voas.

The article offers information on the student equine veterinary symposium hosted by the Bristol Equine Veterinary Society held in England from February 7-8, 2015. It states that the symposium was attended by about 150 veterinary students and feature practical sessions, lectures, and seminars about equine veterinary service. It mentions several equine clinicians who provide lectures and seminars to students including Derek Knottenbelt, Tim Mair, and Sue Dyson.

The author reflects on the developments in ultrasound-guided thecal puncture in horses. He discusses two techniques applied to collect cerebrospinal fluid for intrathecal medication, which include, upper cervical puncture through atlanto-occipital (AO) space in recumbent horses under general anaesthesia, and lumbosacral cisternal puncture in conscious horses.

The author reflects on research related to farm animal, equine practice and companion animal published in the previous issued of the journal. She mentions some of these veterinary-based research including behaviour-based scale development for acute pain measurement in dogs and bluetongue virus spreading estimation. She also notes the difference of the previous and the existing research.

The article presents a study that deals with equine influenza virus (EIV) infection in China. It highlights the influenza-like respiratory infection of horses observed in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China in September 2007. Focal to the study are the genetic characteristics of EIV strains isolated during the outbreak of equine influenza. Information is also provided on the epidemic status of EIV infection in China.

The article offers information on a study that assessed the seroprevalence of West Nile virus (WNV) in wild birds and horses from the Guadalquivir marshes in Doñana National Park in Spain. The authors conducted a surveillance of the evolution of the seroprevalence to WNV in the long term. Conducted between 2005 and 2008, the serological surveillance discovered a sharp decline in neutralising antibodies to WNV in the population of feral horses in the national park.

The article presents a study that reports on an overlooked degenerative cause of spinal ataxia in horses which was confirmed at postmortem examination. Focal to the study is a two-year-old Norwegian Fjord filly which was found to have equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy. The horse underwent various treatment including inducement of trimethoprim-sulfadiazine. Histopathological examination was done on cervical, thoracic and lumbar segments of spinal cord revealing bilateral, symmetrical degenerative changes within subpial areas of the spinal cord.

The article offers British livestock industry news briefs as of April 2016 on topics including achieving a U.S. import tolerance for azamethiphos by Fish Vet Group, and National Equine Health Survey to be held between May 23 and 30, 2016.

The article reports on obesity in riding horses of Scotland. It describes the lack of reporting in equine obesity and its psychological and physiological effects. It argues that more studies in obesity and its prevention can lead to the reduction of cases involving hyperlipaemia, laminitis, and osteoarthritis in horses.