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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 25th May 2018
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Concern over use of bits in royal horses’ mouths
Michael Fox urged the royal horse brigade to put animal welfare ahead of tradition.
Horses showed signs of ‘oral discomfort’ at Royal Wedding, vet says

A US vet has urged members of the royal family not to use bits in their horses’ mouths, after coverage of the Royal Wedding showed horses in ‘obvious oral discomfort’.

In a letter to Vet Record, Michael Fox said the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on Saturday (19 May), was ‘marred’ by the use of bits.

Commenting on the television coverage, he said: ‘Several horses were tossing their heads, mouthing and chomping and drooling in obvious oral discomfort’.

He added: ‘Whilst traditions die hard, especially in equine circles, let’s hope that this couple will extend their compassion to break the circle of anthropocentrism, and help ensure the humane treatment of all creatures great and small.

‘A British veterinary colleague has long established the inhumanity of the “snaffle-bit” and has developed a widely used bitless bridle for horses. Time for the Royal horse brigade to get with the times and put animal welfare and respect before blind tradition.’

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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.