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Equine vet runs for ‘Free Spirit’ memorial
Image (C) Steve Russell
An artists' impression of the sculpture that will be displayed at the National Arboretum.

Memorial pays tribute to the millions of horses that served in World War One

An equine vet is running four half-marathons this summer to raise money for the Free Spirit Horse Memorial Appeal.

Oliver King of Pool House Equine Clinic in Staffordshire hopes to raise £2,000 for the charity, which is paying tribute to the millions of horses that served in World War One.

Free Spirit are striving to fundraise £250,000 for a stunning, life sized bronze horse statue that will be displayed at the National Arboretum, the UK’s year-round centre of Remembrance.

Organisers say the statue, designed by artist Georgie Welch, will be unveiled in 2018 to coincide with the centenary anniversary marking the end of World War One.

Commenting on his Just Giving fundraising page, Oliver said: 'The ‘Free Spirit’ horse memorial is the only memorial the National Arboretum has granted to an animal in its own right.

‘As an equine veterinarian horse welfare is a passion of mine and I whole heartedly support the charity’s ethos’ that the integral role horses served in World War 1 deserved greater and wider acknowledgement.

‘Everyday I meet clients and their horses and witness the unique relationship that they share with their four legged family member. In this regard, I hope my efforts to support ‘Free Spirit’ will also help more people have the opportunity to be able to experience such an emotional connection with this truly beautiful animal.’

Oliver's challenge begins this weekend at the Lichfield Half Marathon on Sunday, 1 May. He'll then pound the pavements of Market Harborough (11 June), Tenby (10 June), and will finish on the Isle of Mull (7 August).

‘There is no particular significance to their locations, but it seems fitting to try and spread the ‘Free Spirit’ word across the UK,’ Oliver adds.

Over eight million horses, mules and donkeys lost their lives during World War One alongside their respective armies.  Horses were pivotal to the success of the army, as without them they would not have been able to pull guns, stores or equipment. 

Free Spirit are also trying to raise funds from vets to inscribe plaques on a horse shoe that will surround the sculpture. For more information about the campaign and to make a donation visit www.freespiritmemorial.co.uk.

Image (C) Steve Russell

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.