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Equine organisations launch Manifesto for Horses
Horse rider
An estimated 3.5 million riders were inspired to take up horse sport by the London Olympic Games.
Government urged to put horses top of the agenda for the 2015 general election

The Equine Sector Council for Health and Welfare and the British Horse Industry Confederation have teamed-up to produce a Manifesto for the Horse for the 2015 General Election.   

The manifesto sets out measures to improve the health and welfare of horses, safeguard and expand the equine industry, and increase participation in horse sports.

Each year, the UK equine industry contributes around £7 billion to the economy. With around one million horses in the UK, the industry has a gross output of £3.8 billion a year and provides full time employment of about 200,000, many of which are in rural areas.

According to statistics released by the National Equine Database, an estimated 3.5 million people in Britain rode in 2010-11 and were further inspired to take up horse sport by the 2012 London Olympic Games.

The British Horse Industry Confederation say that horse sports engage a higher proportion than other sports of people with disabilities, women participants and participants over the age of 45, and nearly 40 per cent of those taking part do not participate in any other forms of physical activity.

The British Horse Society (BHS) are urging horse owners and riders to write to their local parliamentary candidates to highlight the importance of policies which support the development of the equestrian sector and protect the health and welfare of all horses in the UK.

BHS chief executive Lynn Petersen said: "By writing to your MP you can help to put horses at the top of the agenda for the 2015 General Election. You can make your MP aware of the issues facing the equine industry and the actions that need to be taken to enhance the health and welfare of one million horses, ponies and donkeys in the UK, increase access to the benefits of riding for all and support equine-related trade and businesses."

To download the 2015 General Election Manifesto for the Horse please click here.

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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.