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Ponies rescued from Bodmin Moor
Ponies on Bodmin Moor
The agencies rounded up a total of 34 ponies, of which 22 were of sufficient concern to be removed and re-homed to local rescue centres.

Agencies unite to assess over 30 ill and suffering animals

Over 30 ponies have been rescued from Bodmin Moor after concerns were raised about their welfare.

A one-day operation last week saw a multitude of agencies, including Redwings, the RSPCA and the APHA, collect, assess and rescue ill and suffering ponies on parts of the Moor.

They were called in by Bodmin Moor Commons Council in a bid to tackle the increasing problem of ill and suffering ponies.

Concerns were raised after reports from the public that horses were being left to die on the Moor and little was being done to help them.

The agencies rounded up a total of 34 ponies, of which 22 were of sufficient concern to be removed and re-homed to local rescue centres.

One pony suffering from a disfigured foot was euthanised, while the remainder were deemed to be healthy enough to go back onto the Moor.

Speaking to local newspaper The Plymouth Herald, Redwing’s head of welfare Nic de Brauwere said: “It is clear there is a big challenge in bringing about long-term improvements for the management of ponies on Bodmin Moor.

"The Moor has the potential for native ponies to thrive, but these animals will always need human support – whether that be to compensate for limited grazing as a result of severe weather, ensure parasite and infectious disease control, or attending to unexpected problems such as injury or illness.”

"Indeed, our hope for the future of the ponies of Bodmin Moor is for them to have a natural life, but also to be familiarised with people so they can be supported with veterinary and routine healthcare when required. We also believe the balance of stallions and mares needs to be urgently addressed on the Moor.

"This vision can only become a reality with the cooperation of everyone with rights to graze their ponies on the Moor, and this is why we fully support the newly established Bodmin Moor Commons Council and their development of management plans that work for the commoners, the land and the animals."

The Bodmin Moor Commons Council was established earlier this year (1 March) to ensure the safe future of ponies living on the Moor.

Other organisations involved in the rescue were World Horse Welfare, local rescue organisation Shires Holt, local landowners and the police.

Image (C) Steve Daniels

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.