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Statue dedicated to heroic war horse
The larger-than-life statue weighs in at 1,000lb.

Korean War veterans to unveil statue of Sergeant Reckless

A statue of the heroic war horse Sergeant Reckless, who served in the Korean War, is set to be unveiled at Kentucky Horse Park.

The larger-than-life statue, which weighs in at 1,000lb, is the result of more than two years of fundraising by Marine Corps veterans and private citizens.

Sergeant Reckless became a national hero in 1953, after she made 51 trips to gun sites - mostly by herself - during the Battle of Outpost Vegas.

She carried more than 9,000lb on her back without stopping, despite being wounded twice. She also evacuated the wounded and dead from the battlefield, quickly earning the love and respect of the marines who served with her.

She has already been recognised with bronze statues at Camp Pendleton in California and the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Virginia. However, it was the vision of James E ‘Ted’ Bassett III, a Marine Corps combat veteran of World War II, that she be memorialised at the park.

Laura Prewitt, executive director of the park, said: “We are so honoured to be custodians of this beautiful monument and monumental legacy of a horse small in stature, but big in courage. Sgt. Reckless epitomises everything great about horses and our relationship with them.”
 
The statue will be unveiled on 12 May, by four Korean War veterans who served with Reckless. The special ceremony will feature a Marine Corps colour guard and speakers including Sgt Harold Wadley, who saw her in action during her most heroic battle.

Image © Kentucky Horse Park

 

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
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RCVS members invited to question Council candidates

RCVS members have been invited to submit questions to candidates for this year's RCVS Council election.

With 15 candidates standing for three available positions, vets have been invited to submit a question of their choosing before voting starts. These questions will be collated, with each candidate answering one question of their choice.

It is recommended that members read the candidates' biographies and statements before submitting questions. One question per member can be submitted to vetvote26@rcvs.org.uk before Wednesday, 25 February 2026.

The RCVS Council election is due to start in March.

With only two candidates for two positions on the VN Council, there will be no VN Council elections this year. Meghan Conroy RVN and Lauren Hargrave RVN will begin their three year terms at RCVS' AGM in July.