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First Colic Awareness Week launches
“Colic is still a huge welfare concern for horse owners due to the suddenness with which it can appear and the potential consequences that it can cause."
Campaign aims to raise awareness of early warning signs 

The British Horse Society and the University of Nottingham are holding the first ever Colic Awareness Week (1-7 April).

Research at the university’s School of Veterinary Medicine and Science found that 90 per cent of horse owners did not feel confident spotting the early signs of colic.

The awareness week, which forms part of the REACT Now to Beat Colic Campaign, aims to raise awareness of the subtle early signs of the condition, to ensure veterinary treatment can be sought quickly.

Nottingham’s research also found that up to one in three cases of colic seen by vets as out of hours emergencies were critical. Out of these cases, more than 80 per cent of horses were euthanised or died.

Since the REACT Now campaign launched, BHA have distributed nearly 30,000 colic packs and nearly 15,000 guides to horse owners and carers.

Emmeline Hannelly, BHS welfare education manager said: “Colic is still a huge welfare concern for horse owners due to the suddenness with which it can appear and the potential consequences that it can cause.

“I think that dedicating a whole week to raising awareness of the issues associated with the condition will help to provide owners with the information they need to make informed decisions about their horse’s welfare.”

Throughout the week, BHS and Nottingham vet school will be providing owners with top tips and videos on how to prevent colic. Veterinary practices that are part of the Vet REACT Colic Champions Scheme will also be sharing information with their clients.

Visit the BHS website for more information.

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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise 100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.